The cyclization of arabinosyladenine-5-prime-phosphorimidazolide

When arabinosyladenine-5-prime-phosphorimidazolide is allowed to decompose in aqueous solution at room temperature and pH 7.2, depending on the buffer, 5-24 percent is converted to the 2-prime,5-prime-cyclic phosphate (V). Although the extent of cyclization is much greater than for adenosine-5-prime-phosphorimidazolide, cyclization is less efficient than hydrolysis and so would not substantially decrease the efficiency of condensation reactions in aqueous solution. The significance of this result for prebiotic chemistry is discussed.