S u m m a r y . Deoxythymidine 5'-triphosphate in the presence of deoxythymidine 5'-phosphate, cyanamide and 4-amino-5-imidazole carboxamide polymerizes under drying conditions at moderate temperatures (60-90 °C) to yield oligonucleotides of up to four units ill length. Enzymatic analysis indicated the majority of these oligomers contained natural 3'-5' phosphodiester bonds. This reaction offers a possible method for the formation of deoxyoligonucleotides under primitive earth conditions. K e y words: Prebiotic --Polymerization --Deoxythymidine~Oligonucleotides --Deoxythymidine-Triphosphate --Cyanamide --4-Amino-5-Imidazolecarboxamide.

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A possible prebiotic synthesis of thymine has been achieved via the methylation of uracil with formaldehyde and hydrazine.

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