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.
