Amino acids derivatives synthesis from nitrogen, carbon and water by electric discharges (original) (raw)

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The synthesis of amino acids and organic compounds from simple precursors like nitrogen, carbon, and water is a critical area of research for understanding the origins of life. This study successfully demonstrated the production of amino acid derivatives, including glycine and serine, through electric discharges in a neutral environment, highlighting a potential pathway for organic synthesis under prebiotic conditions.

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Abstract

Electric discharges between a pair of carbon electrodes were continued for 50 days in a vessel of 5 liters in volume which initially contained nitrogen at a pressure of 15 cm Hg and 200 ml of water. The pressure in the vessel was gradually increased to 60 cm Hg at the end of the run. Gas chromatographic analysis showed that the increase of the pressure mainly results from the production of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The concentration of ammonia in the aqueous sample was increased to 0.05_M_ in 50 days of the discharge. After hydrolysis, glycine and serine were detected at the concentrations of 3.4×10−3 M and 0.057×10−3 M in the final solution, respectively, though glycine was found only at the concentration of 6×10−6 M before hydrolysis. TLC analysis indicated the presence of hydantoic acid, N-formylglycine, diketopiperazine, and polymers of glycine.

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Authors and Affiliations

1. Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Kanazawa University, Marunouchi, Kanazawa, Japan
   Y. Yamagata & Y. Kusano
2. Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Kanazawa University, Marunouchi, Kanazawa, Japan
   K. Inomata

Authors

1. Y. Yamagata
2. Y. Kusano
3. K. Inomata

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Yamagata, Y., Kusano, Y. & Inomata, K. Amino acids derivatives synthesis from nitrogen, carbon and water by electric discharges.Origins Life Evol Biosphere 11, 317–320 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00931485

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• Received: 08 October 1980
• Revised: 15 March 1981
• Issue date: December 1981
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00931485

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