7752. Pristane

Nomenclature

CAS number: 1921-70-6
2,6,10,14-Tetramethylpentadecane; norphytane; Robuoy (Robeco).
C19H40; mol wt 268.52.
C 84.99%, H 15.01%.

Description and references

Isoprenoid alkane obtained from the unsaponifiable fraction of shark liver oil where it occurs to an extent of 14%: Tsujimoto, J. Soc. Chem. Ind. 51, 317T (1932); S"orensen, Mehllum, Acta Chem. Scand. 2, 140 (1948). Identity with norphytane: Pliva, S"orensen, ibid. 4, 846 (1950). Isoln from petroleum crude oils: Bendoraitis et al., Anal. Chem. 34, 49 (1962); from wool wax: Mold et al., Nature 199, 283 (1963). Synthesis from phytol: S"orensen, S"orensen, Acta Chem. Scand. 3, 939 (1949). Metabolism: McKenna, Kallio, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 68, 1552 (1971). Use in inducing murine plasmacytomas: P. N. Anderson, M. Potter, Nature 222, 994 (1969). Effect on ascites tumor formation and monoclonal antibody production: N. J. Hoogenraad, C. J. Wraight, Methods Enzymol. 121, 375 (1986).

Chemical structure

Properties

Mobile, transparent, stable liq. d420 0.78267. Congealing point -100°. bp760 296°; bp10 158°; bp0.001 68° (bath temp). nD20 1.43848. Acid no. 0-5. Iodine no. 0-7.5. Sapon no. 0-5. Viscosity at 25°: 5 cP. Soluble in ether, petr ether, benzene, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride.

Use

Lubricant; transformer oil. Anti-corrosion agent. Biological marker. In experimental systems to induce plasmacytomas; in production of monoclonal antibodies.