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The polymer-like organic material in the Orgueil meteoriteResults are reported for analysis of polymeric organic material contained in powder from the Orgueil chondrite, using a stepwise high-vacuum pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry technique. Pyrolysis products obtained include a series of alkanes and alkenes to C8, an extensive series of alkylbenzene isomers, thiophene, alkylthiophenes, benzothiophene, acetonitrile, acrylonitrile, benzonitrile, acetone, and phenol. Most of these products are shown to be similar both qualitatively and quantitatively to those previously obtained from solvent-extracted Allende powder, indicating a basically aromatic and heteroaromatic polymer matrix with short aliphatic bridges or side chains. The production of acrylonitrile, acetonitrile, and benzonitrile (common breakdown products of amino acids) from the insoluble organic material is taken to suggest that amino acids exist in an insoluble form, perhaps as peptides, in the meteorite's polymeric component. Similarities between the structure of the Orgueil polymeric material and terrestrial kerogen are discussed which raise the possibility that both might have been produced in part by similar reactions.
Document ID
19760062927
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Bandurski, E. L.
(Arizona Univ. Tucson, AZ, United States)
Nagy, B.
(Arizona, University Tucson, Ariz., United States)
Date Acquired
August 8, 2013
Publication Date
November 1, 1976
Publication Information
Publication: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
Volume: 40
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
76A45893
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NGR-03-002-171
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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