Origin of organic matter in early solar system—V. Further studies of meteoritic hydrocarbons and a discussion of their origin

The Murchison meteorite contains aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons similar to those made in static Fischer-Tropsch-type syntheses. Principal compound classes above C₈ are n-alkanes, mono- and dimethylalkanes, alkenes, alkylbenzenes and -naphthalenes. Below C₈, n-alkanes are virtually absent; instead, benzene, toluene, branched alkanes dominate. The CH₄/C₂H₆ ratio is greater than 30, possibly greater than 700. Isoprenoids from C₁₇ to C₂₀ occur in a surface rinse but not in subsequent extracts and appear to be terrestrial contaminants. Thiophenes, porphyrin-like pigments and chlorobenzenes were also found; the latter appear to be contaminants. In the Allende meteorite, only methane, benzene, toluene and an aromatic polymer seem to be indigenous.