Abstract
Carbonaceous meteorites provide the best glimpse into the solar system’s earliest physical and chemical processes. These ancient objects, ~4.56 billion years old, contain evidence of phenomena ranging from solar system formation to the synthesis of organic compounds by aqueous and (likely) low-temperature photolytic reactions. Collectively, chemical reactions resulted in an insoluble kerogen-like carbon phase and a complex mixture of discrete soluble compounds including amino acids, nucleobases, and monosaccharide (or “sugar”) derivatives. This review presents the documented search for sugars and their derivatives in carbonaceous meteorites. We examine early papers, published in the early 1960s, and note the analytical methods used for meteorite analysis as well as conclusions on the results. We then present the recent finding of sugar derivatives including sugar alcohols and several sugar acids: The latter compounds were found to possess unusual “d” enantiomeric (mirror-image) excesses. After discussions on the possible roles of interstellar grain chemistry and meteorite parent body aqueous activity in the synthesis of sugar derivatives, we present a scenario that suggests that most of Earth’s extraterrestrial sugar alcohols (e.g., glycerol) were synthesized by interstellar irradiation and/or cold grain chemistry and that the early solar disk was the location of the initial enantiomeric excesses in meteoritic sugar derivatives.
Highlights
A subset of meteorites classified as “carbonaceous” preserves a valuable glimpse of early solar system chemical and physical processes
After discussions on the possible roles of interstellar grain chemistry and meteorite parent body aqueous activity in the synthesis of sugar derivatives, we present a scenario that suggests that most of Earth’s extraterrestrial sugar alcohols were synthesized by interstellar irradiation and/or cold grain chemistry and that the early solar disk was the location of the initial enantiomeric excesses in meteoritic sugar derivatives
Could the presumed asymmetric influences that lead to the enantio-enrichment of meteoritic sugar acids (Figure 4) have had an influence on terrestrial prebiotic chemistry and on the nature of homochirality? Attempts to understand the abiotic origins of these meteoritic excesses might provide some answers
Summary
A subset of meteorites classified as “carbonaceous” preserves a valuable glimpse of early solar system chemical and physical processes. Analysis of CCs yielded strong evidence of the role of gas-phase photolysis in shaping the properties of certain meteoritic organic sulfur compounds, of organic compounds. Of Characteristics of theevidence organic of phase of CCs provide photolysis in shaping the properties of certain meteoritic organic sulfur compounds, sulfonates evidence that organic synthetic processes were taking place throughout solar system formationacids and. Of and can it was collected verydetail This minimized contamination at a time when The the fall lunar this meteorite These compounds are essential components of DNA, and their acid and alcohol.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
