Abstract
The synthesis of amino acids behind shock waves in methane, ethane, ammonia, and water vapor was further investigated. Aldehydes and HCN are formed separately in the non-homogeneous gas during the high temperature period and recombine with ammonia during the thermal quench period, to form α-amino nitriles. The α -amino nitriles are either hydrolyzed by excess water vapor during the quench period or emerge as such after the reaction is completed. A combined gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer analysis of the reaction product showed identical amounts of D and L amino acids, thus confirming the absence of contaminants. Thunder shock waves were shown to be a suitable source of energy for the production of amino acids.
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© 1974 D. Reidel Publishing Company, Dordrecht, Holland
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Bar-Nun, A. (1974). Shock Synthesis of Amino Acids II. In: Oró, J., Miller, S.L., Ponnamperuma, C., Young, R.S. (eds) Cosmochemical Evolution and the Origins of Life. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-2282-8_12
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-2282-8_12
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-010-2284-2
Online ISBN: 978-94-010-2282-8
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