The identification of mono-, di- and trimethyl 2-methyl-2-(4,8,12-trimethyltridecyl)chromans and their occurrence in the geosphere

A series of novel mono-, di-and trimethyl 2-methyl-2-(4,8,12-trimethyltridecyl)chromans (MTTC) have been identified in a number of sediment extracts and oils ranging from Pleistocene to Permian. The identifications were based on comparison of mass spectra and Chromatographic data of synthetic methylated MTTC with those of geologically occurring methylated MTTC and coinjections with the synthetic standards. Although the methylated MTTC are structurally related to tocopherols, they do not appear to be their diagenetic derivatives. The distribution of methylated MTTC in sediments and oils seems to depend on the original environment of deposition and may be used as a palaeoenvironmental indicator, e.g. to assess the occurrence of palaeohypersalinity.