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Prebiotic Polymerization: Oxidative Polymerization of 2,3 Dimercapto-1- Propanol 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 (Fe(OH)O) yielded polydisulfide oligomers. This polymerization occurred 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 micromole 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 FE(OH)O phase. Reactions carried out at the same ratio of dithiol to FE(OH)O but at higher dithiol concentrations gave higher yields of the larger insoluble oligomers. The relationship of these results to prebiotic polymer synthesis is discussed.
Document ID
19990116241
Acquisition Source
Headquarters
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Weber, Arthur L.
(Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Inst. Moffett Field, CA United States)
Date Acquired
August 19, 2013
Publication Date
November 1, 1995
Publication Information
Publication: Origins of Life and Evolution of the Biosphere
Publisher: Kluwer Academic Publishers
Volume: 25
Subject Category
Nonmetallic Materials
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGw-2097
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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