Identification of novel sulphur-containing steroids in sediments and petroleum; Probable incorporation of sulfur into Delta(5,7)-sterols during early diagenesis

Abstract

A novel sulfur-containing sterane, 4,7-epithio-5-cholestane, has been identified in a sediment extract from the Miocene Northern Apennines marl (Italy) after its isolation by column chromatography and high pressure liquid chromatography. The compound has been characterised by GC-MS and mild Nickel boride desulfurisation and one and two-dimensional 1H NMR techniques. C27-C29 homologs have been detected in sediment extracts of three different formations and in one petroleum sample. These sulfur-containing steroids are A novel sulfur-containing sterane, 4,7-epithio-5-cholestane, has been identified in a sediment extract from the Miocene Northern Apennines marl (Italy) after its isolation by column chromatography and high pressure liquid chromatography. The compound has been characterised by GC-MS and mild Nickel boride desulfurisation and one and two-dimensional 1H NMR techniques. C27-C29 homologs have been detected in sediment extracts of three different formations and in one petroleum sample. These sulfur-containing steroids are probably formed by an intramolecular reaction of inorganic sulfides with early diagenetic products of Ä5,7-sterols. probably formed by an intramolecular reaction of inorganic sulfides with early diagenetic products of Ä5,7-sterols.