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Thermal synthesis and hydrolysis of polyglyceric acidPolyglyceric acid was synthesized by thermal condensation of glyceric acid at 80 C in the presence and absence of two mole percent of sulfuric acid catalyst. The acid catalyst accelerated the polymerization over 100-fold and made possible the synthesis of insoluble polymers of both L- and DL-glyceric acid by heating for less than 1 day. Racemization of L-glyceric acid yielded less than 1 percent D-glyceric acid in condensations carried out at 80 C with catalyst for 1 day and without catalyst for 12 days. The condensation of L-glyceric acid yielded an insoluble polymer much more readily than condensation of DL-glyceric acid. Studies of the hydrolysis of poly-DL-glyceric acid revealed that it was considerably more stable under mild acidic conditions compared to neutral pH. The relationship of this study to the origin of life is discussed.
Document ID
19890064688
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Weber, Arthur L.
(Salk Institute for Biological Studies San Diego, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 14, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1989
Publication Information
Publication: Origins of Life and Evolution of the Biosphere
Volume: 19
Issue: 1 19
ISSN: 0169-6149
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Accession Number
89A52059
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSG-7627
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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