Formation of 1-Methylphenanthrene from Diterpenoid-Derived Precursors during Early Thermal Alteration of Conifer-Derived Organic Matter

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ID: 315337
2026
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Abstract
Abstract Methylphenanthrenes are widely used as molecular indicators of the thermal maturity of sedimentary organic matter; however, the reaction pathways controlling their isomer distributions at immature stages remain poorly constrained. In this study, we investigate the formation pathways of methylphenanthrenes from diterpenoid-derived precursors using heating experiments of abietic acid as a model compound, together with heating experiments and compositional analyses of immature coals. The results demonstrate that 1-methylphenanthrene is preferentially formed during the early stages of thermal alteration via degradation of abietane-type precursors, likely involving dealkylation and aromatization processes. In contrast, progressive thermal maturation promotes isomerization toward thermodynamically more stable β-substituted methylphenanthrenes, resulting in a shift toward equilibrium-controlled distributions. Analyses of immature coals show a strong positive correlation between retene, a key intermediate derived from abietic acid and related diterpenoids, and the relative abundance of 1-methylphenanthrene, supporting a precursor-driven reaction pathway. These findings indicate that methylphenanthrene compositions at low maturity primarily reflect kinetically controlled transformation processes rather than thermodynamic equilibration. The predominance of 1-methylphenanthrene thus provides insight into the reaction mechanisms governing the early-stage formation of alkylated aromatic hydrocarbons.
Reference Key
openalex_W7162878173 Use this key to autocite in the manuscript while using SciMatic Manuscript Manager or Thesis Manager
Authors Kenta Asahina, Hideto Nakamura, Takeshi Nakajima, Yuichiro Suzuki, Satoshi Furota, Miyuki Kobayashi
Journal bulletin of the chemical society of japan
Year 2026
DOI
10.1093/bulcsj/uoag074
URL
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