ABIOTIC PHOTOSYNTHESIS OF SUBSTANCES RELATIVE TO THE ORIGIN OF LIFE FROM AQUEOUS AMMONIUM CARBONATE SOLUTIONS

Abstract

It has been demonstrated that amino acids and nucleic acid bases can be synthesized by UV irradiation even in such rather oxidizing atmosphere as aqueous solutions containing CO₂, HCO₃^- and/or CO₃^2- in the absence of CH₄ or H₂. For the production of amino acids and nucleic acid bases from ammonium carbonate solution or water to which CO₂ and NH₃ gases had been dissolved, UV shorter than 250nn, temperature higher than 80°C and the coexistence of Mg²⁺ were found to be effective. On the basis of some experimental evidences, oxalic acid and/or oxamic acid are assumed to be the possible intermediates for the synthesis.