Hydrocarbons: An Introduction to Structure, Physico-Chemical Properties and Natural Occurrence

Hydrocarbons are among the most abundant organic compound classes in the biogeosphere. They are formed directly by living organisms as biosynthetic products or through geological transformation of biomass in sedimentary systems. This article provides an introduction to the structural variability of hydrocarbons and their occurrence in natural environments. Besides saturated, unsaturated and aromatic hydrocarbons also selected types of functionalized organic compounds which play key roles in biogeochemical processes are discussed. For each compound type reactivity and important reaction types with a special focus on mechanisms relevant in biochemical transformations are presented. Bio- and geomacromolecules and their role in the formation of fossil fuels are briefly introduced. Important physico-chemical parameters are discussed in relation to the structural characteristics of the presented compound classes.

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Hydrocarbons and Lipids: An Introduction to Structure, Physicochemical Properties, and Natural Occurrence

Hydrocarbons and Lipids: An Introduction to Structure, Physicochemical Properties, and Natural Occurrence

Introduction to Petroleum, Hydrocarbon, and Lipid Analysis

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Authors and Affiliations

1. Helmholtz Centre Potsdam, GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, Organic Geochemistry, Potsdam, Germany H. Wilkes
2. Institute of Geology and Geochemistry of Petroleum and Coal, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany J. Schwarzbauer

1. H. Wilkes