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Prebiotic phosphorus chemistry reconsideredThe available evidence indicates that the origin of life on Earth certainly occurred earlier than 3.5 billion years ago and perhaps substantially earlier. The time available for the chemical evolution which must have preceded this event is more difficult to estimate. Both endogenic and exogenic contributions to chemical evolution have been considered; i.e., from chemical reactions in a primitive atmosphere, or by introduction in the interiors of comets and/or meteorites. It is argued, however, that the phosphorus chemistry of Earth's earliest hydrosphere, whether primarily exogenic or endogenic in origin, was most likely dominated by compounds less oxidized than phosphoric acid and its esters. A scenario is presented for the early production of a suite of reactive phosphonic acid derivatives, the properties of which may have foreshadowed the later appearance of biophosphates.
Document ID
20040112193
Acquisition Source
Headquarters
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Schwartz, A. W.
(University of Nijmegen The Netherlands)
Orgel, L. E.
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
December 1, 1997
Publication Information
Publication: Origins of life and evolution of the biosphere : the journal of the International Society for the Study of the Origin of Life
Volume: 27
Issue: 6-May
ISSN: 0169-6149
Subject Category
Exobiology
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-1660
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
NASA Discipline Exobiology
Non-NASA Center

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