Carbon and energy yields in prebiotic syntheses using atmospheres containing CH4, CO and CO2 (original) (raw)

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Understanding the carbon and energy yields from prebiotic syntheses is crucial for elucidating the conditions and processes that may have led to the origin of life on Earth. This study successfully determined the energy yields for the synthesis of key organic compounds, HCN and H2CO, from various atmospheric mixtures, achieving maximum yields of approximately 4×10−8 moles cal−1, thereby providing insights into the efficiency of prebiotic chemical processes.

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Abstract

Yields based on carbon are usually reported in prebiotic experiments, while energy yields (moles cal−1) are more useful in estimating the yields of products that would have been obtained from the primitive atmosphere of the earth. Energy yields for the synthesis of HCN and H2CO from a spark discharge were determined for various mixtures of CH4, CO, CO2, H2, H2O, N2 and NH3. The maximum yields of HCN and H2CO from CH4, CO, and CO2 as carbon sources are about 4×10−8 moles cal−1.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, University of California, San Diego, 92093, La Jolla, California, USA
    Stanley L. Miller & Gordon Schlesinger

Authors

  1. Stanley L. Miller
  2. Gordon Schlesinger

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Miller, S.L., Schlesinger, G. Carbon and energy yields in prebiotic syntheses using atmospheres containing CH4, CO and CO2.Origins Life Evol Biosphere 14, 83–90 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00933643

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