Abstract
Twenty-five monoterpanes from six types of essential oils and hydrogenated turpentine oil have been identified and their stable carbon isotope composition determined. Monoterpanes in essential oils sourced from terrestrial higher plants display a δ13C value in the range of −34‰–26‰, and mostly between −29‰ and −27‰. The δ13C value of any single monoterpane is very consistent in different essential oils. Acyclic monoterpanes show closer isotope composition between −28.6‰ and −26.2‰, with an average value of −27.7‰. In contrast, the isotope composition of cyclic monoterpanes is more scattered with an average value of −28.6‰. Isotopic fractionation with 13C enrichment has been observed during both artificial and geological hydrogenation of monoterpenoids to monoterpanes, and this is more obvious for the acyclic monoterpenoids. In addition to higher plants, acyclic monoterpane 2,6-dimethylheptane in crude oil can also be originated from other organic inputs.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Tissot B P, Welte D H. Petroleum Formation and Occurrence. New York: Springer-Verlag, 1984. 548–570
Peters K E, Walters C C, Moldowan J M. The Biomarker Guide. Vol. 2. London: Cambridge University Press, 2005. 475–963
Wang P R, Zhao H, Xu G J, et al. An application of backflush and micro-flow techniques to the analysis of C5–C13 hydrocarbons in crude oils and its geochemical significance. Prog Nat Sci, 2007, 17: 1382–1387
Xiao T R, Cai B, Meng J H, et al. Contrastive study of two light hydrocarbon analysis methods (in Chinese). Chinese J Chromatogr, 2001, 19: 304–308
Long K H, Su J Y, Ceng L M, et al. Terpenes Chemistry (in Chinese). Beijing: Higher Education Press, 1984. 1–392
Cong P Z, Li S Y. Nature organic mass spectrometry (in Chinese). Beijing: China Medicine Science & Technology Press, 2003. 1–1478
Wang P R, Xu G J, Zhao H, et al. Identification of monoterpanes in hydrogenated turpentine (in Chinese). Geochimica, 2007, 36: 535–538
Simoneit B R T. Cyclic terpenoids in geologic body. In: Johns R B, ed. Biomarkers in Sediment Record. Amsterdam: Elsevier, 1986. Translated by Wang T G, Hong D F, Xu L N, et al. Beijing: Science Press, 1991. 25–27
Katayama T. The volatile constituents of seaweed, III–IV, Ulva pertusa, Enteromorpha species and Sargassum species. Bull Jpn Soc Sci Fish, 1955, 21: 412–428
Peters K E, Walters C C, Moldowan J M. The Biomarker Guide. Vol. 1 (Biomarkers and Isotopes in the Environment and Human history). London: Cambridge University Press, 2005. 52–58, 138–139
Xing Q Y, Pei W W, Xu R Q, et al. Basic Organic Chemistry (in Chinese). Beijing, Higher Education Press, 2005. 1025–1035
Hu H W. Organic Chemistry ( in Chinese). Beijing: Higher Education Press, 1990. 692–698
Jiang N H, Tong Z Y, Ren D L, et al. The discovery of retene in Precambrian and Lower Palaeozoic marine Formation. Chin J Geochem, 1995, 14: 41–51
Mair B J, Ronen Z, Eisenbraun E J, et al. Terpenoid precursors of hydrocarbons from the gasoline range of petroleum. Science, 1966, 154: 1339–1341
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Zhang, D., Wang, P., Mao, Z. et al. Stable carbon isotope composition of monoterpanes in essential oils and crude oils. Sci. China Earth Sci. 53, 522–528 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-010-0038-7
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-010-0038-7