Geochemistry and Thermolysis of Flavonoids

Abstract
The thermal and p H stability of selected flavonoids has been determined under simulated geologic conditions. Thermolytic rates and products for various regimes, as determined by gas chromatography—mass spectroscopy, indicate the potential usefulness of flavonoids as thermometric indicators in sediments. The parametric factors affecting flavonoid stability are used to geochemically characterize angiosperm "green leaves" (36 to 25 × 10 6 years old) from Succor Creek and indicate that these sediments have not experienced temperatures higher than 80°C or extreme p H shifts (beyond the range 6.3 to 7.2) during postdepositional maturation.