Simple Ion–Gas Mixtures as a Source of Key Molecules Relevant to Prebiotic Chemistry
Very simple chemistry can result in the rapid and high-yield production of key prebiotic inorganic molecules. The two reactions investigated here involve such simple systems, (a) carbon disulfide (CS<sub>2</sub>) and acetate (CH<sub>3</sub>COO¯) and (b) sulfur dioxide (SO<...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2021-12-01
|
| Series: | Molecules |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/23/7394 |
| _version_ | 1797507382042951680 |
|---|---|
| author | Samuel Paula Liam S. Goulding Katherine N. Robertson Jason A. C. Clyburne |
| author_facet | Samuel Paula Liam S. Goulding Katherine N. Robertson Jason A. C. Clyburne |
| author_sort | Samuel Paula |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Very simple chemistry can result in the rapid and high-yield production of key prebiotic inorganic molecules. The two reactions investigated here involve such simple systems, (a) carbon disulfide (CS<sub>2</sub>) and acetate (CH<sub>3</sub>COO¯) and (b) sulfur dioxide (SO<sub>2</sub>) and formate (HCOO¯). They have been carried out under non-aqueous conditions, either in an organic solvent or with a powdered salt exposed to the requisite gas. Under such dry conditions the first reaction generated the thioacetate anion [CH<sub>3</sub>COS]¯ while the second produced the radical [SO<sub>2</sub><sup>·</sup>]¯anion. Anhydrous conditions are not rare and may have arisen on the early earth at sites where an interface between different phases (liquid/gas or solid/gas) could be generated. This is one way to rationalize the formation of molecules and ions (such as we have produced) necessary in the prebiotic world. Interpretation of our results provides insight into scenarios consistent with the more prominent theories of abiogenesis. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T04:47:39Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b88e61ca791e4afb9e4696d4bb40149b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1420-3049 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T04:47:39Z |
| publishDate | 2021-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Molecules |
| spelling | doaj.art-b88e61ca791e4afb9e4696d4bb40149b2023-11-23T02:51:54ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492021-12-012623739410.3390/molecules26237394Simple Ion–Gas Mixtures as a Source of Key Molecules Relevant to Prebiotic ChemistrySamuel Paula0Liam S. Goulding1Katherine N. Robertson2Jason A. C. Clyburne3Department of Chemistry, Saint Mary’s University, Halifax, NS B3H 3C3, CanadaDepartment of Chemistry, Saint Mary’s University, Halifax, NS B3H 3C3, CanadaDepartment of Chemistry, Saint Mary’s University, Halifax, NS B3H 3C3, CanadaDepartment of Chemistry, Saint Mary’s University, Halifax, NS B3H 3C3, CanadaVery simple chemistry can result in the rapid and high-yield production of key prebiotic inorganic molecules. The two reactions investigated here involve such simple systems, (a) carbon disulfide (CS<sub>2</sub>) and acetate (CH<sub>3</sub>COO¯) and (b) sulfur dioxide (SO<sub>2</sub>) and formate (HCOO¯). They have been carried out under non-aqueous conditions, either in an organic solvent or with a powdered salt exposed to the requisite gas. Under such dry conditions the first reaction generated the thioacetate anion [CH<sub>3</sub>COS]¯ while the second produced the radical [SO<sub>2</sub><sup>·</sup>]¯anion. Anhydrous conditions are not rare and may have arisen on the early earth at sites where an interface between different phases (liquid/gas or solid/gas) could be generated. This is one way to rationalize the formation of molecules and ions (such as we have produced) necessary in the prebiotic world. Interpretation of our results provides insight into scenarios consistent with the more prominent theories of abiogenesis.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/23/7394prebioticorigins of lifewet dry cycleinterfacemembraneinorganic chemistry |
| spellingShingle | Samuel Paula Liam S. Goulding Katherine N. Robertson Jason A. C. Clyburne Simple Ion–Gas Mixtures as a Source of Key Molecules Relevant to Prebiotic Chemistry Molecules prebiotic origins of life wet dry cycle interface membrane inorganic chemistry |
| title | Simple Ion–Gas Mixtures as a Source of Key Molecules Relevant to Prebiotic Chemistry |
| title_full | Simple Ion–Gas Mixtures as a Source of Key Molecules Relevant to Prebiotic Chemistry |
| title_fullStr | Simple Ion–Gas Mixtures as a Source of Key Molecules Relevant to Prebiotic Chemistry |
| title_full_unstemmed | Simple Ion–Gas Mixtures as a Source of Key Molecules Relevant to Prebiotic Chemistry |
| title_short | Simple Ion–Gas Mixtures as a Source of Key Molecules Relevant to Prebiotic Chemistry |
| title_sort | simple ion gas mixtures as a source of key molecules relevant to prebiotic chemistry |
| topic | prebiotic origins of life wet dry cycle interface membrane inorganic chemistry |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/23/7394 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT samuelpaula simpleiongasmixturesasasourceofkeymoleculesrelevanttoprebioticchemistry AT liamsgoulding simpleiongasmixturesasasourceofkeymoleculesrelevanttoprebioticchemistry AT katherinenrobertson simpleiongasmixturesasasourceofkeymoleculesrelevanttoprebioticchemistry AT jasonacclyburne simpleiongasmixturesasasourceofkeymoleculesrelevanttoprebioticchemistry |