kerogen

 
Pronunciation: /ˈkɛrədʒ(ə)n/

noun

[mass noun]
  • a complex fossilized organic material, found in oil shale and other sedimentary rock, which is insoluble in common organic solvents and yields petroleum products on distillation.

Origin:

early 20th century: from Greek kēros 'wax' + -gen