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Aqueous Phase Non Enzymatic Chemistry of Cyanide, Formaldehyde and RNH2It is postulated that amino acids were produced on the early earth from dilute aqueous solution of cyanide, carbonyls and ammonia (the Strecker synthesis RNH2 + R"R""C=O + KCN yields H-N(R)-C(R")(R"")-CO2H. We have studied the products obtained from dilute aqueous solutions of cyanide, formaldehyde (R"=R""=H), ammonia (R=H) and amino acids. Solutions in the pH range from 8 to 10. at room temperature and at reactant concentrations from 0.001 M to 0.3 M have been studied. With R= H product yields were low (less than 3%). Only with R"=R""=H and R represented by the following: CH2CO2H (glycine); CH(CH3)CO2H (alanine); CH(CH2CH3)CO2H (a-amino n=butyric acids); C(CH3)2(CO2H) (a-aminoisobutyric acid); CH(CH(CH3)2)CO2H (valine); and CH(CH2CO2H)CO2H (aspartic acid), were product yields high (greater than 10%). The yields of glycine were larger with R not equal to H. The prebiotic implications of these findings will be discussed.
Document ID
20010125390
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Lerner, Narcinda R.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Chang, Sherwood
Date Acquired
August 20, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1994
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Meeting Information
Meeting: Gordon Research Conference on Origin of Life
Location: Newport, RI
Country: United States
Start Date: August 22, 1994
End Date: August 26, 1994
Sponsors: Gordon Research Conferences, Inc.
Funding Number(s)
PROJECT: RTOP 152-13-60
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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