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Civiš S, Pastorek A, Ferus M, Yurchenko SN, Boudjema NI. Infrared Spectra of Small Radicals for Exoplanetary Spectroscopy: OH, NH, CN and CH: The State of Current Knowledge. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28083362. [PMID: 37110598 PMCID: PMC10143568 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28083362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, we present a current state-of-the-art review of middle-to-near IR emission spectra of four simple astrophysically relevant molecular radicals-OH, NH, CN and CH. The spectra of these radicals were measured by means of time-resolved Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in the 700-7500 cm-1 spectral range and with 0.07-0.02 cm-1 spectral resolution. The radicals were generated in a glow discharge of gaseous mixtures in a specially designed discharge cell. The spectra of short-lived radicals published here are of great importance, especially for the detailed knowledge and study of the composition of exoplanetary atmospheres in selected new planets. Today, with the help of the James Webb telescope and upcoming studies with the help of Plato and Ariel satellites, when the investigated spectral area is extended into the infrared spectral range, it means that detailed knowledge of the infrared spectra of not only stable molecules but also the spectra of short-lived radicals or ions, is indispensable. This paper follows a simple structure. Each radical is described in a separate chapter, starting with historical and actual theoretical background, continued by our experimental results and concluded by spectral line lists with assigned notation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svatopluk Civiš
- J. Heyrovsky Institute of Physical Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Dolejškova 2155/3, 18200 Prague 8, Czech Republic
| | - Adam Pastorek
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA
| | - Martin Ferus
- J. Heyrovsky Institute of Physical Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Dolejškova 2155/3, 18200 Prague 8, Czech Republic
| | - Sergei N Yurchenko
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Noor-Ines Boudjema
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
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2
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Bizzarri BM, Saladino R, Delfino I, García-Ruiz JM, Di Mauro E. Prebiotic Organic Chemistry of Formamide and the Origin of Life in Planetary Conditions: What We Know and What Is the Future. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22020917. [PMID: 33477625 PMCID: PMC7831497 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22020917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The goal of prebiotic chemistry is the depiction of molecular evolution events preceding the emergence of life on Earth or elsewhere in the cosmos. Plausible experimental models require geochemical scenarios and robust chemistry. Today we know that the chemical and physical conditions for life to flourish on Earth were at work much earlier than thought, i.e., earlier than 4.4 billion years ago. In recent years, a geochemical model for the first five hundred million years of the history of our planet has been devised that would work as a cradle for life. Serpentinization processes in the Hadean eon affording self-assembled structures and vesicles provides the link between the catalytic properties of the inorganic environment and the impressive chemical potential of formamide to produce complete panels of organic molecules relevant in pre-genetic and pre-metabolic processes. Based on an interdisciplinary approach, we propose basic transformations connecting geochemistry to the chemistry of formamide, and we hint at the possible extension of this perspective to other worlds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Mattia Bizzarri
- Ecological and Biological Sciences Department (DEB), University of Tuscia, Via S. Camillo de Lellis snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (B.M.B.); (I.D.); (E.D.M.)
| | - Raffaele Saladino
- Ecological and Biological Sciences Department (DEB), University of Tuscia, Via S. Camillo de Lellis snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (B.M.B.); (I.D.); (E.D.M.)
- Correspondence: (R.S.); (J.M.G.-R.)
| | - Ines Delfino
- Ecological and Biological Sciences Department (DEB), University of Tuscia, Via S. Camillo de Lellis snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (B.M.B.); (I.D.); (E.D.M.)
| | - Juan Manuel García-Ruiz
- Laboratorio de Estudios Cristalográficos, Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas–Universidad de Granada, Avenida de las Palmeras 4, Armilla, 18100 Granada, Spain
- Correspondence: (R.S.); (J.M.G.-R.)
| | - Ernesto Di Mauro
- Ecological and Biological Sciences Department (DEB), University of Tuscia, Via S. Camillo de Lellis snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (B.M.B.); (I.D.); (E.D.M.)
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3
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Mohammadi E, Petera L, Saeidfirozeh H, Knížek A, Kubelík P, Dudžák R, Krůs M, Juha L, Civiš S, Coulon R, Malina O, Ugolotti J, Ranc V, Otyepka M, Šponer J, Ferus M, Šponer JE. Formic Acid, a Ubiquitous but Overlooked Component of the Early Earth Atmosphere. Chemistry 2020; 26:12075-12080. [PMID: 32293757 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202000323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Revised: 04/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Terrestrial volcanism has been one of the dominant geological forces shaping our planet since its earliest existence. Its associated phenomena, like atmospheric lightning and hydrothermal activity, provide a rich energy reservoir for chemical syntheses. Based on our laboratory simulations, we propose that on the early Earth volcanic activity inevitably led to a remarkable production of formic acid through various independent reaction channels. Large-scale availability of atmospheric formic acid supports the idea of the high-temperature accumulation of formamide in this primordial environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elmira Mohammadi
- Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials, Palacký University Olomouc, Šlechtitelů 27, 78371, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Lukáš Petera
- J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Dolejškova 3, 18223, Prague 8, Czech Republic.,Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 2030, 12843, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Homa Saeidfirozeh
- J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Dolejškova 3, 18223, Prague 8, Czech Republic
| | - Antonín Knížek
- J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Dolejškova 3, 18223, Prague 8, Czech Republic.,Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 2030, 12843, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Kubelík
- J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Dolejškova 3, 18223, Prague 8, Czech Republic.,Institute of Physics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Na Slovance 1999/2, 18221, Prague 8, Czech Republic
| | - Roman Dudžák
- Institute of Physics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Na Slovance 1999/2, 18221, Prague 8, Czech Republic.,Institute of Plasma Physics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Za Slovankou 1782/3, 18200, Prague 8, Czech Republic
| | - Miroslav Krůs
- Institute of Plasma Physics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Za Slovankou 1782/3, 18200, Prague 8, Czech Republic
| | - Libor Juha
- Institute of Physics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Na Slovance 1999/2, 18221, Prague 8, Czech Republic.,Institute of Plasma Physics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Za Slovankou 1782/3, 18200, Prague 8, Czech Republic
| | - Svatopluk Civiš
- J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Dolejškova 3, 18223, Prague 8, Czech Republic
| | - Rémi Coulon
- Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials, Palacký University Olomouc, Šlechtitelů 27, 78371, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Ondřej Malina
- Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials, Palacký University Olomouc, Šlechtitelů 27, 78371, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Juri Ugolotti
- Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials, Palacký University Olomouc, Šlechtitelů 27, 78371, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Václav Ranc
- Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials, Palacký University Olomouc, Šlechtitelů 27, 78371, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Otyepka
- Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials, Palacký University Olomouc, Šlechtitelů 27, 78371, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Šponer
- Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials, Palacký University Olomouc, Šlechtitelů 27, 78371, Olomouc, Czech Republic.,Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Královopolská 135, 61265, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Ferus
- J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Dolejškova 3, 18223, Prague 8, Czech Republic
| | - Judit E Šponer
- Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials, Palacký University Olomouc, Šlechtitelů 27, 78371, Olomouc, Czech Republic.,Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Královopolská 135, 61265, Brno, Czech Republic
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Benner SA, Bell EA, Biondi E, Brasser R, Carell T, Kim H, Mojzsis SJ, Omran A, Pasek MA, Trail D. When Did Life Likely Emerge on Earth in an RNA‐First Process? CHEMSYSTEMSCHEM 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/syst.201900035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Steven A. Benner
- Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution Alachua FL USA
- Firebird Biomolecular Sciences LLC Alachua FL USA
| | - Elizabeth A. Bell
- Department of Earth, Planetary, and Space SciencesUniversity of California Los Angeles USA
| | - Elisa Biondi
- Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution Alachua FL USA
| | - Ramon Brasser
- Earth Life Science InstituteTokyo Institute of Technology Tokyo Japan
| | - Thomas Carell
- Fakultät für Chemie und PharmazieLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München Germany
| | | | - Stephen J. Mojzsis
- Department of Geological SciencesUniversity of Colorado Boulder CO USA
- Hungarian Academy of Sciences Budapest Hungary
| | - Arthur Omran
- School of GeosciencesUniversity of South Florida Tampa, FL USA
| | | | - Dustin Trail
- Department of Earth and Environmental SciencesUniversity of Rochester Rochester NY USA
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5
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Abstract
The chemistry of abiotic nucleotide synthesis of RNA and DNA in the context of their prebiotic origins on early earth is a continuing challenge. How did (or how can) the nucleotides form and assemble from the small molecule inventories and under conditions that prevailed on early earth 3.5-4 billion years ago? This review provides a background and up-to-date progress that will allow the reader to judge where the field stands currently and what remains to be achieved. We start with a brief primer on the biological synthesis of nucleotides, followed by an extensive focus on the prebiotic formation of the components of nucleotides-either via the synthesis of ribose and the canonical nucleobases and then joining them together or by building both the conjoined sugar and nucleobase, part-by-part-toward the ultimate goal of forming RNA and DNA by polymerization. The review will emphasize that there are-and will continue to be-many more questions than answers from the synthetic, mechanistic, and analytical perspectives. We wrap up the review with a cautionary note in this context about coming to conclusions as to whether the problem of chemistry of prebiotic nucleotide synthesis has been solved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahipal Yadav
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, United States.,NSF-NASA Center for Chemical Evolution, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Ravi Kumar
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, United States.,NSF-NASA Center for Chemical Evolution, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Ramanarayanan Krishnamurthy
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, United States.,NSF-NASA Center for Chemical Evolution, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
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6
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Benner SA, Kim HJ, Biondi E. Prebiotic Chemistry that Could Not Not Have Happened. Life (Basel) 2019; 9:life9040084. [PMID: 31739415 PMCID: PMC6958414 DOI: 10.3390/life9040084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Revised: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
We present a direct route by which RNA might have emerged in the Hadean from a fayalite–magnetite mantle, volcanic SO2 gas, and well-accepted processes that must have created substantial amounts of HCHO and catalytic amounts of glycolaldehyde in the Hadean atmosphere. In chemistry that could not not have happened, these would have generated stable bisulfite addition products that must have rained to the surface, where they unavoidably would have slowly released reactive species that generated higher carbohydrates. The formation of higher carbohydrates is self-limited by bisulfite formation, while borate minerals may have controlled aldol reactions that occurred on any semi-arid surface to capture that precipitation. All of these processes have well-studied laboratory correlates. Further, any semi-arid land with phosphate should have had phosphate anhydrides that, with NH3, gave carbohydrate derivatives that directly react with nucleobases to form the canonical nucleosides. These are phosphorylated by magnesium borophosphate minerals (e.g., lüneburgite) and/or trimetaphosphate-borate with Ni2+ catalysis to give nucleoside 5′-diphosphates, which oligomerize to RNA via a variety of mechanisms. The reduced precursors that are required to form the nucleobases came, in this path-hypothesis, from one or more mid-sized (1023–1020 kg) impactors that almost certainly arrived after the Moon-forming event. Their iron metal content almost certainly generated ammonia, nucleobase precursors, and other reduced species in the Hadean atmosphere after it transiently placed the atmosphere out of redox equilibrium with the mantle. In addition to the inevitability of steps in this path-hypothesis on a Hadean Earth if it had semi-arid land, these processes may also have occurred on Mars. Adapted from a lecture by the Corresponding Author at the All-Russia Science Festival at the Lomonosov Moscow State University on 12 October 2019, and is an outcome of a three year project supported by the John Templeton Foundation and the NASA Astrobiology program. Dedicated to David Deamer, on the occasion of his 80th Birthday.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven A. Benner
- Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution, 13709 Progress Blvd. Box 7, Alachua, FL 32615, USA
- Firebird Biomolecular Sciences LLC, 13709 Progress Blvd. Box 17, Alachua, FL 32615, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Hyo-Joong Kim
- Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution, 13709 Progress Blvd. Box 7, Alachua, FL 32615, USA
- Firebird Biomolecular Sciences LLC, 13709 Progress Blvd. Box 17, Alachua, FL 32615, USA
| | - Elisa Biondi
- Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution, 13709 Progress Blvd. Box 7, Alachua, FL 32615, USA
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7
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Abstract
The universal triple-nucleotide genetic code is often viewed as a given, randomly selected through evolution. However, as summarized in this article, many observations and deductions within structural and thermodynamic frameworks help to explain the forces that must have shaped the code during the early evolution of life on Earth.
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8
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Nitrogen heterocycles form peptide nucleic acid precursors in complex prebiotic mixtures. Sci Rep 2019; 9:9281. [PMID: 31243303 PMCID: PMC6594999 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-45310-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability to store information is believed to have been crucial for the origin and evolution of life; however, little is known about the genetic polymers relevant to abiogenesis. Nitrogen heterocycles (N-heterocycles) are plausible components of such polymers as they may have been readily available on early Earth and are the means by which the extant genetic macromolecules RNA and DNA store information. Here, we report the reactivity of numerous N-heterocycles in highly complex mixtures, which were generated using a Miller-Urey spark discharge apparatus with either a reducing or neutral atmosphere, to investigate how N-heterocycles are modified under plausible prebiotic conditions. High throughput mass spectrometry was used to identify N-heterocycle adducts. Additionally, tandem mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy were used to elucidate reaction pathways for select reactions. Remarkably, we found that the majority of N-heterocycles, including the canonical nucleobases, gain short carbonyl side chains in our complex mixtures via a Strecker-like synthesis or Michael addition. These types of N-heterocycle adducts are subunits of the proposed RNA precursor, peptide nucleic acids (PNAs). The ease with which these carbonylated heterocycles form under both reducing and neutral atmospheres is suggestive that PNAs could be prebiotically feasible on early Earth.
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9
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Abstract
What were the conditions on early Earth when nucleotides were formed, and what are the most plausible nucleoside candidates? Answering these questions will require mechanistic chemistry and planetary science to work together, enhancing not limiting each other’s scope of investigation.
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10
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Rana AK, Ankri S. Reviving the RNA World: An Insight into the Appearance of RNA Methyltransferases. Front Genet 2016; 7:99. [PMID: 27375676 PMCID: PMC4893491 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2016.00099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2016] [Accepted: 05/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA, the earliest genetic and catalytic molecule, has a relatively delicate and labile chemical structure, when compared to DNA. It is prone to be damaged by alkali, heat, nucleases, or stress conditions. One mechanism to protect RNA or DNA from damage is through site-specific methylation. Here, we propose that RNA methylation began prior to DNA methylation in the early forms of life evolving on Earth. In this article, the biochemical properties of some RNA methyltransferases (MTases), such as 2′-O-MTases (Rlml/RlmN), spOUT MTases and the NSun2 MTases are dissected for the insight they provide on the transition from an RNA world to our present RNA/DNA/protein world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajay K Rana
- Division of Biology, State Forensic Science Laboratory, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of Jharkhand Ranchi, India
| | - Serge Ankri
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, The Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion Israel Institute of Technology Haifa, Israel
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11
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Prebiotic Lipidic Amphiphiles and Condensing Agents on the Early Earth. Life (Basel) 2016; 6:life6020017. [PMID: 27043635 PMCID: PMC4931454 DOI: 10.3390/life6020017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2015] [Revised: 01/18/2016] [Accepted: 02/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
It is still uncertain how the first minimal cellular systems evolved to the complexity required for life to begin, but it is obvious that the role of amphiphilic compounds in the origin of life is one of huge relevance. Over the last four decades a number of studies have demonstrated how amphiphilic molecules can be synthesized under plausibly prebiotic conditions. The majority of these experiments also gave evidence for the ability of so formed amphiphiles to assemble in closed membranes of vesicles that, in principle, could have compartmented first biological processes on early Earth, including the emergence of self-replicating systems. For a competitive selection of the best performing molecular replicators to become operative, some kind of bounded units capable of harboring them are indispensable. Without the competition between dynamic populations of different compartments, life itself could not be distinguished from an otherwise disparate array or network of molecular interactions. In this review, we describe experiments that demonstrate how different prebiotically-available building blocks can become precursors of phospholipids that form vesicles. We discuss the experimental conditions that resemble plausibly those of the early Earth (or elsewhere) and consider the analytical methods that were used to characterize synthetic products. Two brief sections focus on phosphorylating agents, catalysts and coupling agents with particular attention given to their geochemical context. In Section 5, we describe how condensing agents such as cyanamide and urea can promote the abiotic synthesis of phospholipids. We conclude the review by reflecting on future studies of phospholipid compartments, particularly, on evolvable chemical systems that include giant vesicles composed of different lipidic amphiphiles.
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12
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Nhlabatsi ZP, Bhasi P, Sitha S. Possible interstellar formation of glycine through a concerted mechanism: a computational study on the reaction of CH2NH, CO2 and H2. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2016; 18:20109-17. [DOI: 10.1039/c5cp07124k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Computational studies on the reaction of CH2NH, CO2 and H2 show the possible interstellar formation of glycine in both hot-cores and cold interstellar clouds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zanele P. Nhlabatsi
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Johannesburg
- Auckland Park
- South Africa 2006
| | - Priya Bhasi
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Johannesburg
- Auckland Park
- South Africa 2006
| | - Sanyasi Sitha
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Johannesburg
- Auckland Park
- South Africa 2006
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13
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Kurosawa K, Sugita S, Ishibashi K, Hasegawa S, Sekine Y, Ogawa NO, Kadono T, Ohno S, Ohkouchi N, Nagaoka Y, Matsui T. Hydrogen cyanide production due to mid-size impacts in a redox-neutral N2-rich atmosphere. ORIGINS LIFE EVOL B 2013; 43:221-45. [PMID: 23877440 DOI: 10.1007/s11084-013-9339-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2012] [Accepted: 06/16/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Cyanide compounds are amongst the most important molecules of the origin of life. Here, we demonstrate the importance of mid-size (0.1-1 km in diameter) hence frequent meteoritic impacts to the cyanide inventory on the early Earth. Subsequent aerodynamic ablation and chemical reactions with the ambient atmosphere after oblique impacts were investigated by both impact and laser experiments. A polycarbonate projectile and graphite were used as laboratory analogs of meteoritic organic matter. Spectroscopic observations of impact-generated ablation vapors show that laser irradiation to graphite within an N2-rich gas can produce a thermodynamic environment similar to that produced by oblique impacts. Thus, laser ablation was used to investigate the final chemical products after this aerodynamic process. We found that a significant fraction (>0.1 mol%) of the vaporized carbon is converted to HCN and cyanide condensates, even when the ambient gas contains as much as a few hundred mbar of CO2. As such, the column density of cyanides after carbon-rich meteoritic impacts with diameters of 600 m would reach ~10 mol/m(2) over ~10(2) km(2) under early Earth conditions. Such a temporally and spatially concentrated supply of cyanides may have played an important role in the origin of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kosuke Kurosawa
- Planetary Exploration Research Center, Chiba Institute of Technology, 2-17-1, Tsudanuma, Narashino, Chiba, 275-0016, Japan.
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14
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Summers DP, Basa RCB, Khare B, Rodoni D. Abiotic nitrogen fixation on terrestrial planets: reduction of NO to ammonia by FeS. ASTROBIOLOGY 2012; 12:107-114. [PMID: 22283408 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2011.0646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the abiotic fixation of nitrogen and how such fixation can be a supply of prebiotic nitrogen is critical for understanding both the planetary evolution of, and the potential origin of life on, terrestrial planets. As nitrogen is a biochemically essential element, sources of biochemically accessible nitrogen, especially reduced nitrogen, are critical to prebiotic chemistry and the origin of life. Loss of atmospheric nitrogen can result in loss of the ability to sustain liquid water on a planetary surface, which would impact planetary habitability and hydrological processes that shape the surface. It is known that NO can be photochemically converted through a chain of reactions to form nitrate and nitrite, which can be subsequently reduced to ammonia. Here, we show that NO can also be directly reduced, by FeS, to ammonia. In addition to removing nitrogen from the atmosphere, this reaction is particularly important as a source of reduced nitrogen on an early terrestrial planet. By converting NO directly to ammonia in a single step, ammonia is formed with a higher product yield (~50%) than would be possible through the formation of nitrate/nitrite and subsequent conversion to ammonia. In conjunction with the reduction of NO, there is also a catalytic disproportionation at the mineral surface that converts NO to NO₂ and N₂O. The NO₂ is then converted to ammonia, while the N₂O is released back in the gas phase, which provides an abiotic source of nitrous oxide.
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Affiliation(s)
- David P Summers
- Carl Sagan Center, SETI Institute, c/o NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035-1000, USA.
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15
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16
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Pavlov AA, Brown LL, Kasting JF. UV shielding of NH3and O2by organic hazes in the Archean atmosphere. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2001. [DOI: 10.1029/2000je001448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 203] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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17
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Akiyama F. Conversion of Carbon and Alkali Metal Carbonates to Hydrocarbons Containing Aromatic Hydrocarbons by the Reaction with Copper Oxides and Aqueous Alkaline Solution. BULLETIN OF THE CHEMICAL SOCIETY OF JAPAN 1996. [DOI: 10.1246/bcsj.69.1129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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18
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Zahnle KJ. Photochemistry of methane and the formation of hydrocyanic acid (HCN) in the Earth's early atmosphere. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1986. [DOI: 10.1029/jd091id02p02819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 193] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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