ISSN:
1432-1432
Keywords:
Hot Hydrogen Atom Reactions
;
Molecular Evolution
;
Interstellar Chemistry
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Summary Hot hydrogen atoms which are photochemically generated initiate reactions among mixtures of methane, ethane, water and ammonia, to produce ethanol, organic amines, organic acids, and amino acids. Both ethanol and ethyl amine can also act as substrates for formation of amino acids. The one carbon substrate methane is sufficient as a carbon source to produce amino acids. Typical quantum yields for formation of amino acids are approximately 2–4 · 10-5. In one experiment, 6 protein amino acids were identified and 8 non-protein amino acids verified utilizing gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. We propose that hot atoms, especially hydrogen, initiate reactions in the thermodynamic non-equilibrium environment of interstellar space as well as in the atmospheres of planets.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01732020
Permalink
