Pristane Information & Pristane Links at HealthHaven.com

Pristane
IUPAC name	2,6,10,14-Tetramethylpentadecane
Other names	Norphytane
Identifiers
CAS number	1921-70-6
SMILES	CC(C)CCCC(C)CCCC(C)CCCC(C)C
Properties
Molecular formula	C19H40
Molar mass	268.51 g/mol
Density	0.783 g/cm3
Melting point	-100 °C, 173 K, -148 °F
Boiling point	296 °C, 569 K, 565 °F
	Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
	Infobox references

Pristane is a natural saturated terpenoid alkane obtained primarily from shark liver oil, from which its name is derived (Latin pristis, "shark"). It is also found in mineral oil and some foods.^[1] It is a transparent oily liquid that is immiscible with water, but soluble in diethyl ether, benzene, chloroform and carbon tetrachloride.

Pristane is known to induce autoimmune diseases in rodents. It is used in research to understand the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.^[2]^[3] The fact that it is used in many products, raises the possibility that it may be a possible environmental exposure that may trigger diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.^[4]

It is used as a lubricant, a transformer oil, an immunologic adjuvant, and an anti-corrosion agent.

Biosynthetically, pristane is derived from phytol.

[edit] References

^ Chung, J. G., L. R. Garrett, P. E. Byers, and M. A. Cuchens (1989). "A survey of the amount of pristane in common fruits and vegetables". J. Food Comp. Anal. 2 (22): 22. doi:10.1016/0889-1575(89)90058-6.
^ Anderson, P. N., and M. Potter (1969). "Induction of plasma cell tunours in BALBfc mice with 2,6,10,14-tetramethylpentadecane (pristane)". Nature 222: 994. doi:10.1038/222994a0.
^ Hazani R, Engineer N. (Nov 2008). "Surreptitious injection of mineral oil: a case report of sclerosing lipogranulomatosis". Ann Plast Surg 61 (5): 555–8. doi:10.1097/SAP.0b013e31816d8316.
^ Frederick W Miller (2006). "Is occupational exposure to mineral oil a risk factor for rheumatoid arthritis?". Nature Clinical Practice Rheumatology 2: 130–131. doi:10.1038/ncprheum0137.

[0] Chung, J. G., L. R. Garrett, P. E. Byers, and M. A. Cuchens (1989). "A survey of the amount of pristane in common fruits and vegetables". J. Food Comp. Anal. 2 (22): 22. doi:10.1016/0889-1575(89)90058-6.

[1] Anderson, P. N., and M. Potter (1969). "Induction of plasma cell tunours in BALBfc mice with 2,6,10,14-tetramethylpentadecane (pristane)". Nature 222: 994. doi:10.1038/222994a0.

[2] Hazani R, Engineer N. (Nov 2008). "Surreptitious injection of mineral oil: a case report of sclerosing lipogranulomatosis". Ann Plast Surg 61 (5): 555–8. doi:10.1097/SAP.0b013e31816d8316.

[3] Frederick W Miller (2006). "Is occupational exposure to mineral oil a risk factor for rheumatoid arthritis?". Nature Clinical Practice Rheumatology 2: 130–131. doi:10.1038/ncprheum0137.

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