phytanen.
/ˈfʌɪteɪn/, U.S. /ˈfaɪˌteɪn/ Chemistry.
A colourless liquid isoprenoid hydrocarbon that is the alkane corresponding to phytol and occurs in petroleum and some rocks, probably as a breakdown product of chlorophyll; 3,7,11,15-tetramethylhexadecane, C20H42.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > chemistry > organic chemistry > hydrocarbons > [noun] > alkanes > branched-chain
isobutane1876
isoparaffin1876
isopentane1876
phytane1907
isooctane1909
pristane1923
triptane1943
1907 Jrnl. Chem. Soc. 92 i. 784 This derivative is an ester, termed phaeophytin, and is hydrolysed readily by alkalis, yielding an unsaturated alcohol, phytol, C20H40O, which is formed also by the action of alkalis on chlorophyll. For the hypothetical saturated hydrocarbon, corresponding with this alcohol, the authors propose the name phytane.
1965 New Scientist 6 May 378/1 Certain hydrocarbons, such as the branched-chain compounds phytane and pristane, can if found [in rocks] be taken to be definite evidence of life.
1991 Sci. Amer. Oct. 89/1 The spruce trees that cover the islands are a source of terpenes, hydrocarbons similar to phytane and pristane, found in Prudhoe Bay crude.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2006; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
n.1907