The synthesis of prebiotic molecules is a major problem in chemical evolution as well as in any origin-of-life theory. We report here a plausible new prebiotic synthesis of naturally occurring purine and pyrimidine derivatives from formamide under catalytic conditions. In the presence of CaCO3 and different inorganic oxides, namely silica, alumine, kaolin, and zeolite (Y type), neat formamide undergoes the formation of purine, adenine, cytosine, and 4(3H)-pyrimidinone, from acceptable to good yields. The role of catalysts showed to be not limited to the improvement of the yield but it is also relevant in providing a high selectivity in the products distribution. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Saladino, R., Crestini, C., Costanzo, G., Negri, R., Di Mauro, E. (2001). A possible prebiotic synthesis of purine, adenine, cytosine, and 4(3H)-pyrimidinone from formamide: Implications for the origin of life. BIOORGANIC & MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY, 9(5), 1249-1253.
A possible prebiotic synthesis of purine, adenine, cytosine, and 4(3H)-pyrimidinone from formamide: Implications for the origin of life
CRESTINI, CLAUDIA;
2001-01-01
Abstract
The synthesis of prebiotic molecules is a major problem in chemical evolution as well as in any origin-of-life theory. We report here a plausible new prebiotic synthesis of naturally occurring purine and pyrimidine derivatives from formamide under catalytic conditions. In the presence of CaCO3 and different inorganic oxides, namely silica, alumine, kaolin, and zeolite (Y type), neat formamide undergoes the formation of purine, adenine, cytosine, and 4(3H)-pyrimidinone, from acceptable to good yields. The role of catalysts showed to be not limited to the improvement of the yield but it is also relevant in providing a high selectivity in the products distribution. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
