GEOC 213 |
| The dense, hard matrix of magmatic minerals is the most unlikely place to “do” organic chemistry. However, during crystallization, igneous minerals incorporate small amounts of H2O and CO/CO2 as impurities. During cooling, an electronic re-arrangement oxidizes oxygen from its common 2– valence to the 1– state, while H and C become chemically reduced. The mineral matrix thus acquires the biogenic elements in a chemically reduced form. During further cooling, exsolution pushes these low-z impurities into dislocations where C-C and C-H bonds begin to form. The resulting HxCyOz entities, sometimes with N and S, represent organic proto-molecules. We report on homologous series HxCyOz and HxCyOzSn, y≤34 and 2≤z≥10, with molecular weights up to 600 amu, Soxlets-extracted with tetrahydrofuran from crushed upper mantle olivine crystals. The mass spectroscopic analyses were performed by Ryan Rodgers at the ultrahigh-resolution mass spectrometer facility at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL. |
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General GEOC Oral Session
8:20 AM-8:20 PM, Thursday, April 10, 2008 Morial Convention Center -- Rm. 213, Oral
Sci-Mix
Division of Geochemistry |