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Published answer to 4d in EV1364 shows Picene but I got Pinene which I think is equally valid. Any takers? Connie

Could you give the clue? Not everyone here has a copy - especially of a past crossword - but would help if they could.

Well, certainly they are both hydrocarbons, Connie.
Can you not tell from the parsing of the clue which answer would be correct...or whether both are equally valid?

Elle, I've tracked down the clue...

Compound found in conifers, mostly over Nebraska (6)

I think Connie might be right, it looks like 'Conifers mostly' = PINE(s) around NE (Nebraska).

Nebraska gives the NE

However the "conifers" could be PINE(s) or PICE(a).....

I think PINENE is the better answer, as it is produced by conifers.

Either answer is valid as far as I'm concerned. The clue would be weak if the answer were PINENE, as the removal of the S from the end of a plural noun (PINES) is generally frowned upon, so I would favour PICENE on the grounds that it is likely to be what the setter intended, although a clue that has two possible answers is weak anyway! If it were an across clue, PINENE would be the only solution, with 'over' acting as a containment indicator.

Chris, you're the chemistry expert...…..where is "piCene" to be found?
All I know is that it is a residue from petrol distillation?
Has it anything to do with conifers?
Whereas I agree with you that "pinene" comes from conifers...mentioned in the clue.
So ..I would agree with Connie that "pinene" fits the clue better?

Yes, elle, PICENE has nothing to do with conifers. It's a multiple ring structure (like naphthalene or anthracene, but more rings), derived, as you say, from petroleum.

Thanks, Chris!
Then surely that rules out the possibility of "picene" as being correct?
Otherwise why mention "conifers" in the clue?

Yet Connie tells us that the published answer WAS "piCene"....
Surely a setter's error?
Or maybe a printing mistake?