Identification of ionene and other carotenoid degradation products from the pyrolysis of sporopollenins derived from some pollen exines,a spore coal and the Green River shale

Examination of the pyrolysis products of sporopollenins from Pinus montana, Picea canadensis and Fagus sylvatica pollen, a spore coal and the Green River shale kerogen has shown the presence of typical carotenoid degradation products, including especially ionene and various naphthalenes and hydro naphthalenes. The products are compared with similar materials obtained from β-carotene and its oxidative co-polymer and the mechanism of formation of the compounds is discussed.