Head-to-Head Linked Isoprenoid Hydrocarbons in Petroleum.

A series of petroleum isoprenoid hydrocarbons possessing an unusual head-to-head linkage is present as an important component in petroleum. The entire series appears to be produced by diagenesis or catagenesis from precursors containing 40 carbon atoms. A suitable precursor compound has been reported in one type of living organism, thermoacidophile bacteria.