Chemical evolution XXIX. Pyrimidines from hydrogen cyanide

Ferris, James P.; Joshi, P. C.; Lawless, James G.

doi:10.1016/0303-2647(77)90015-6

Cited by 27 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…In the late 1970s, Ferris and co-worker identified pyrimidines for the first time (4,5-dihydroxypyrimidine, 5-hydroxyuracil and orotic acid) in the acid hydrolysates of HCN oligomers synthesised at room temperature [ 82 , 102 ]. Under similar polymerisation conditions for HCN, Voet and Schwartz identified uracil using a laborious purification work-up and hydrolysing HCN oligomers [ 103 ].…”

Section: Nucleic-acid Basesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Simple Organics and Biomonomers Identified in HCN Polymers: An Overview

Ruíz-Bermejo

Zorzano

Osuna‐Esteban

2013

Life

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Hydrogen cyanide (HCN) is a ubiquitous molecule in the Universe. It is a compound that is easily produced in significant yields in prebiotic simulation experiments using a reducing atmosphere. HCN can spontaneously polymerise under a wide set of experimental conditions. It has even been proposed that HCN polymers could be present in objects such as asteroids, moons, planets and, in particular, comets. Moreover, it has been suggested that these polymers could play an important role in the origin of life. In this review, the simple organics and biomonomers that have been detected in HCN polymers, the analytical techniques and procedures that have been used to detect and characterise these molecules and an exhaustive classification of the experimental/environmental conditions that favour the formation of HCN polymers are summarised. Nucleobases, amino acids, carboxylic acids, cofactor derivatives and other compounds have been identified in HCN polymers. The great molecular diversity found in HCN polymers encourages their placement at the central core of a plausible protobiological system.

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Section: Nucleic-acid Basesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Simple Organics and Biomonomers Identified in HCN Polymers: An Overview

Ruíz-Bermejo

Zorzano

Osuna‐Esteban

2013

Life

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“…The HCN would be dissolved in rain droplets and carried to the Earth's surface where it would oligomerize and then slowly hydrolyze to yield the biomolecules that were incorporated into the primitive forms of life (130). These reactions were reproduced in the laboratory.…”

Section: The Concept Of a Dissymmetric Worldmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bioorganic Chemistry

Dugas¹

1989

Springer Advanced Texts in Chemistry

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“…A primitive Earth scenario for the synthesis of all these biomolecules would be the constant formation of HCN by the action of electric discharges and ultraviolet light on the atmosphere. The HCN would be dissolved in rain droplets and carried to the Earth's surface where it would oligomerize and then slowly hydrolyze to yield the biomolecules which were incorporated into the primitive forms of life (369).…”

Section: H2n~nhmentioning

confidence: 99%