Isoprenoid Fatty acids isolated from the kerogen matrix of the green river formation (eocene).

Demineralized oil shale was oxidized with chromic acid, and C(14) to C(22) 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 C(15) and C(16) branched-chain acids; C(17), C(19) (norphytanic acid), and C(20) (phytanic acid) were obtained in lower concentration; no C(18) 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.