Synthesis of Prebiotic Building Blocks by Photochemistry

doi:10.1007/s40242-020-0289-6

Chemical Research in Chinese Universities ›› 2020, Vol. 36 ›› Issue (6): 985-991.doi: 10.1007/s40242-020-0289-6

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Synthesis of Prebiotic Building Blocks by Photochemistry

LIU Ziwei

MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK

Received:2020-09-18 Revised:2020-10-13 Online:2020-12-01 Published:2020-10-15
Contact: LIU Ziwei E-mail:zliu@mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk

Abstract

Abstract: Ultraviolet(UV) light is a very competent energy source for the synthesis of prebiotic building blocks on early Earth. In aqueous solution, hydrated electron is produced by irradiating ferrocyanide/cuprous cyanide/hydrosulfide by 254 nm UV light. Hydrated electron is a powerful reducing reagent driving the formation of prebiotic building blocks under prebiotically plausible conditions. Here we summarize the photoredox synthesis of prebiotic related building blocks from hydrogen cyanide(HCN) and other prebiotically related molecules. These results indicate biological related building blocks can be generated on the surface of early Earth.

Key words: Prebiotic chemistry, UV irradiation, System chemistry, Origin of life

LIU Ziwei. Synthesis of Prebiotic Building Blocks by Photochemistry[J]. Chemical Research in Chinese Universities, 2020, 36(6): 985-991.

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