siltanes

Siltanes are a class of naturally occurring organic compounds that are structurally related to steroids. They are characterized by a saturated tetracyclic steroid nucleus, meaning they possess four fused carbon rings and are fully hydrogenated, lacking any double bonds within the core structure. This saturated nature distinguishes them from typical steroids, which often contain unsaturation.

These compounds are found in various biological sources, including sediments, soils, and fossil fuels, often as degradation products of more complex sterols. Their presence in these environments suggests they are formed through microbial or geochemical processes acting on biological matter over geological timescales. Siltanes can serve as biomarkers, providing insights into the origin and paleoenvironmental conditions of sedimentary organic matter. Their chemical structure can sometimes indicate the type of organism from which they originated, or the degree of diagenetic alteration.

Research into siltanes focuses on their identification, their role in geochemical cycles, and their potential use in understanding Earth's past environments and the history of life. Analytical techniques such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) are crucial for their detection and characterization in complex environmental samples.