Isoprenoid Fatty Acids Isolated from the Kerogen Matrix of the Green River Formation (Eocene)

Abstract
Demineralized oil shale was oxidized with chromic acid, and C14 to C22 isoprenoid fatty acids were isolated and identified. The major components of the branched-chain acid fraction after successive 3-, 6-, and 15-hour oxidations are C15 and C16 branched-chain acids; C17, C19 (norphytanic acid), and C20 (phytanic acid) were obtained in lower concentration; no C18 product was obtained. Separations were effected by column and gas-liquid chromatography, and the structures of individual components were determined by high- and low-resolution mass spectrometry.