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Prebiotic Oxidative Polymerization of 2,3 Dimercaptopropanol on the Surface of Iron(III) Hydroxide OxideThe oxidation of 2,3-Dimercapto-1-propanol by ferric ions on the surface of iron (III) hydroxide oxide yielded polydisulfide polymers. This polymerization occured readily at low dithiol concentration under mild aqueous conditions. Polydisulfide polymers up to the 15-mer were synthesized from 1 mM dithiol in 5 ml water reacted with iron (III) hydroxide oxide (20 mg, 160 micro mole Fe) for 3 days under anaerobic conditions at 40 C and pH 4. About 91% of the dithiol was converted to short soluble oligomers and 9% to insoluble larger oligomers that were isolated with the mineral phase. Reactions at higher dithiol concentrations with the same ratio of dithiol to mineral gave a higher yield of the larger insoluble oligomers. The relationship of these results to prebiotic polymer synthesis will be discussed.
Document ID
19990115754
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Weber, Arthur L.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Date Acquired
August 19, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1994
Subject Category
Nonmetallic Materials
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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