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Wang J, Nikolayev AA, Marks JH, Turner AM, Chandra S, Kleimeier NF, Young LA, Mebel AM, Kaiser RI. Interstellar Formation of Nitrogen Heteroaromatics [Indole, C 8H 7N; Pyrrole, C 4H 5N; Aniline, C 6H 5NH 2]: Key Precursors to Amino Acids and Nucleobases. J Am Chem Soc 2024. [PMID: 39370877 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c09449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/08/2024]
Abstract
Nitrogen-substituted polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (NPAHs) are not only fundamental building blocks in the prebiotic synthesis of vital biomolecules such as amino acids and nucleobases of DNA and RNA but also a potential source of the prominent unidentified 6.2 μm interstellar absorption band. Although NPAHs have been detected in meteorites and are believed to be ubiquitous in the universe, their formation mechanisms in deep space have remained largely elusive. Here, we report the first bottom-up formation pathways to the simplest prototype of NPAHs, indole (C8H7N), along with its building blocks pyrrole (C4H5N) and aniline (C6H5NH2) in low-temperature model interstellar ices composed of acetylene (C2H2) and ammonia (NH3). Utilizing the isomer-selective techniques of resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization and tunable vacuum ultraviolet photoionization reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometry, indole, pyrrole, and aniline were identified in the gas phase, suggesting that they are promising candidates for future astronomical searches in star-forming regions. Our laboratory experiments utilizing infrared spectroscopy and mass spectrometry in tandem with electronic structure calculations reveal critical insights into the reaction pathways toward NPAHs and their precursors, thus advancing our fundamental understanding of the interstellar formation of aromatic proteinogenic amino acids and nucleobases, key classes of molecules central to the Origins of Life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Wang
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
| | | | - Joshua H Marks
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
| | - Andrew M Turner
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
| | - Sankhabrata Chandra
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
| | - N Fabian Kleimeier
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
| | - Leslie A Young
- Department of Space Studies, Southwest Research Institute, Boulder, Colorado 80302, United States
| | - Alexander M Mebel
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, Florida 33199, United States
| | - Ralf I Kaiser
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
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Wang J, Marks JH, Batrakova EA, Tuchin SO, Antonov IO, Kaiser RI. Formation of methylglyoxal (CH 3C(O)CHO) in interstellar analog ices - a key intermediate in cellular metabolism. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2024; 26:23654-23662. [PMID: 39224052 DOI: 10.1039/d4cp02779e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Ketoaldehydes are key intermediates in biochemical processes including carbohydrate, lipid, and amino acid metabolism. Despite their crucial role in the interstellar synthesis of essential biomolecules necessary for the Origins of Life, their formation mechanisms have largely remained elusive. Here, we report the first bottom-up formation of methylglyoxal (CH3C(O)CHO)-the simplest ketoaldehyde-through the barrierless recombination of the formyl (HĊO) radical with the acetyl (CH3ĊO) radical in low-temperature interstellar ice analogs upon exposure to energetic irradiation as proxies of galactic cosmic rays. Utilizing vacuum ultraviolet photoionization reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometry and isotopic substitution studies, methylglyoxal and its enol tautomer 2-hydroxypropenone (CH3C(OH)CO) were identified in the gas phase during the temperature-programmed desorption of irradiated carbon monoxide-acetaldehyde (CO-CH3CHO) ices, suggesting their potential as promising candidates for future astronomical searches. Once synthesized in cold molecular clouds, methylglyoxal can serve as a key precursor to sugars, sugar acids, and amino acids. Furthermore, this work provides the first experimental evidence for tautomerization of a ketoaldehyde in interstellar ice analogs, advancing our fundamental knowledge of how ketoaldehydes and their enol tautomers can be synthesized in deep space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Wang
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Joshua H Marks
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | | | | | - Ivan O Antonov
- Samara National Research University, Samara 443086, Russia.
| | - Ralf I Kaiser
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
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Wang J, Marks JH, Fortenberry RC, Kaiser RI. Interstellar formation of glyceric acid [HOCH 2CH(OH)COOH]-The simplest sugar acid. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadl3236. [PMID: 38478624 PMCID: PMC10936953 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adl3236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
Glyceric acid [HOCH2CH(OH)COOH]-the simplest sugar acid-represents a key molecule in biochemical processes vital for metabolism in living organisms such as glycolysis. Although critically linked to the origins of life and identified in carbonaceous meteorites with abundances comparable to amino acids, the underlying mechanisms of its formation have remained elusive. Here, we report the very first abiotic synthesis of racemic glyceric acid via the barrierless radical-radical reaction of the hydroxycarbonyl radical (HOĊO) with 1,2-dihydroxyethyl (HOĊHCH2OH) radical in low-temperature carbon dioxide (CO2) and ethylene glycol (HOCH2CH2OH) ices. Using isomer-selective vacuum ultraviolet photoionization reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometry, glyceric acid was identified in the gas phase based on the adiabatic ionization energies and isotopic substitution studies. This work reveals the key reaction pathways for glyceric acid synthesis through nonequilibrium reactions from ubiquitous precursor molecules, advancing our fundamental knowledge of the formation pathways of key biorelevant organics-sugar acids-in deep space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Wang
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Joshua H. Marks
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Ryan C. Fortenberry
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA
| | - Ralf I. Kaiser
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
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Wang J, Marks JH, Eckhardt AK, Kaiser RI. Bottom-Up Formation of Antiaromatic Cyclobutadiene ( c-C 4H 4) in Interstellar Ice Analogs. J Phys Chem Lett 2024; 15:1211-1217. [PMID: 38272465 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.3c03524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Antiaromatic cyclobutadiene (c-C4H4) is the simplest prototype of [n]annulenes and a key reactive intermediate with significant ring strain, serving as the model compound for antiaromatic systems in organic chemistry. Here, we report the first bottom-up formation of cyclobutadiene in low-temperature acetylene (C2H2) ices exposed to energetic electrons. Cyclobutadiene was isolated and detected in the gas phase upon sublimation utilizing vacuum ultraviolet photoionization reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometry along with ultraviolet photolysis studies. These findings advance our fundamental understanding of the exotic chemistry and preparation of highly strained antiaromatic cycles through non-equilibrium chemistry in interstellar environments, thus affording a possible route for the formation of highly strained molecules such as the hitherto elusive tetrahedrane (C4H4). Because acetylene is a major product of the photolysis and radiolysis of methane (CH4) ice, an abundant component of interstellar ices, our results suggest that cyclobutadiene can likely be formed in methane-rich ices of cold molecular clouds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Wang
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
| | - Joshua H Marks
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
| | - André K Eckhardt
- Lehrstuhl für Organische Chemie II, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum 44801, Germany
| | - Ralf I Kaiser
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
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Marks JH, Wang J, Kleimeier NF, Turner AM, Eckhardt AK, Kaiser RI. Prebiotic Synthesis and Isomerization in Interstellar Analog Ice: Glycinal, Acetamide, and Their Enol Tautomers. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202218645. [PMID: 36702757 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202218645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Glycinal (HCOCH2 NH2 ) and acetamide (CH3 CONH2 ) are simple molecular building blocks of biomolecules in prebiotic chemistry, though their origin on early Earth and formation in interstellar media remain a mystery. These molecules are formed with their tautomers in low temperature interstellar model ices upon interaction with simulated galactic cosmic rays. Glycinal and acetamide are accessed via barrierless radical-radical reactions of vinoxy (⋅CH2 CHO) and acetyl (⋅C(O)CH3 ), and then undergo keto-enol tautomerization. Exploiting tunable photoionization reflectron time-of-flight mass spectroscopy and photoionization efficiency (PIE) curves, these results demonstrate fundamental reaction pathways for the formation of complex organics through non-equilibrium ice reactions in cold molecular cloud environments. These molecules demonstrate an unconventional starting point for abiotic synthesis of organics relevant to contemporary biomolecules like polypeptides and cell membranes in deep space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua H Marks
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA.,W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Jia Wang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA.,W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - N Fabian Kleimeier
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA.,W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Andrew M Turner
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA.,W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - André K Eckhardt
- Lehrstuhl für Organische Chemie II, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, 44801, Bochum, Germany
| | - Ralf I Kaiser
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA.,W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
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