Determination of the series of even carbon numbered n-alk-1-enes trapped inside geomacromolecules

Even carbon numbered n-alk-1-enes, trapped inside organic geomacromolecules such as kerogen, asphaltene and solid bitumen, can survive geologic time because of the effective protection provided by the complex matrix structures of geomacromolecules. These alkenes are presumed to be derived from esters which are commonly present in various organisms. Subjected to either normal maturation increase or the impact of drastic thermal events, these trapped n-alk-1-enes gradually decrease in concentration and eventually disappear.