Alkylated phenol series in lacustrine black shales from the Nördlinger Ries, southern Germany

Several series of alkylated phenols were detected for the first time in the extractable bitumens of organic matter-rich sediments from the Nördlinger Ries (southern Germany). Most abundant and significant constituents comprise those with n-octadecyl, n-eicosanyl, phytanyl, and iso-pentadecyl and anteiso-pentadecyl substituents. The structures of these compounds are suggested from mass spectrometric and retention time data and coinjection with synthetic standards. Diagenetic alteration of phenolic algal lipids is suggested as a possible way to the formation of these compounds in the Nördlinger Ries sediments.