Journal of Molecular Evolution

, Volume 13, Issue 1, pp 15–26 | Cite as

Hydrogen atom initiated chemistry

  • Jane Huey Hong
  • Ralph S. Becker
Article
Received:
Revised:

Summary

H atoms have been created by the photolysis of H2S. These then initiated reactions in mixtures involving acetylene-ammonia-water and ethylene-ammonia-water. In the case of the acetylene system, the products consisted of two amino acids, ethylene and a group of primarily cyclic thio-compounds, but no free sulfur. In the case of the ethylene systems, seven amino acids, including an aromatic one, ethane, free sulfur, and a group of solely linear thio-compounds were produced. Total quantum yields for the production of amino acids were ~ 3 × 10−5 and ~ 2 × 10−4 with ethylene and acetylene respectively as carbon substrates. Consideration is given of the mechanism for the formation of some of the products and implications regarding planetary atmosphere chemistry, particularly that of Jupiter, are explored.

Key words

H atom reactions Acetylene Ethylene Amino acids Thiocompounds Jovian atmosphere 
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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 1979

Authors and Affiliations

  • Jane Huey Hong
    • 1
  • Ralph S. Becker
    • 1
  1. 1.Department of ChemistryUniversity of HoustonHoustonUSA

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