squalene

chemical compound

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July 14, 2026

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Squalene is an acyclic hydrocarbon with the chemical formula C₃₀H₅₀. It is widely found in nature, notably as a major component of sebum and in shark-liver oils. Squalene is a crucial metabolic intermediate in the biosynthesis of sterols, including cholesterol.123

While not a steroid itself, squalene serves as the precursor from which all steroids are made. Its structure is formed by the tail-to-tail coupling of two smaller isoprenoid units. Squalene's presence in various organisms, from fungi to human secretions, highlights its fundamental role in biological processes.342

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carbonium ion
Reactions.
…material cholesterol from a precursor, squalene, by way of another compound, lanosterol. In this transformation, acid-catalyzed rearrangements—reaction type 6, described earlier—occur repeatedly.
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…material cholesterol from a precursor, squalene, by way of another compound, lanosterol. In this transformation, acid-catalyzed rearrangements—reaction type 6, described earlier—occur repeatedly.
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steroid
Biosynthesis and metabolism of steroids
The isoprenoid hydrocarbon called squalene, which occurs widely in nature, is thought to be the starting material from which all steroids are made. Enzymatic transformation of squalene produces lanosterol in animals and cycloartenol in plants, which yield cholesterol in both animals and plants. Cholesterol is then converted to bile…
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The isoprenoid hydrocarbon called squalene, which occurs widely in nature, is thought to be the starting material from which all steroids are made. Enzymatic transformation of squalene produces lanosterol in animals and cycloartenol in plants, which yield cholesterol in both animals and plants. Cholesterol is then converted to bile…
Read More