The nature and fate of natural resins in the geosphere Part XI.† Ruthenium tetroxide oxidation of a mature Class Ib amber polymer‡

The results of ruthenium tetroxide (RuO₄) oxidation of a mature Class Ib amber polymer are reported and discussed. These data indicate that the residual double bond present in mature Class I ambers is not located in the A/B ring structure of these materials and that C17 of the original labdanoid precursors is retained in mature Class I ambers as a methyl group. These data also suggest that the reaction which results in formation of the residual unsaturated structure in mature ambers also results in a second covalent connection between the A/B ring system and the polymer backbone, probably through C8 of the original labdanoid structure.