The mechanisms of amino acids synthesis by high temperature shock-waves.

Abstract

The mechanisms of amino acids synthesis behind high temperature shock-waves were elucidated and distinction was made between the steps occurring in the gas phase and those occurring in solution. In the presence of water vapor, aldehydes and HCN are formed separately in regions of different temperatures along the reacting gas. The aldehydes and ammonia condense to aldimines which add HCN to form alpha-amino nitriles, all in the gas phase. The hydrolysis to amino acids takes place in solution. In the absence of water vapor, aldimines and HCN are formed in the gas phase but condense to alpha-amino nitriles only in solution. A fair amount of oxygen only lowers the production of amino acids, which consequently could be still produced in the presence of oxygen in the Earth's primitive atmoshere. The waterless mechanism can operate in the Jovian atmosphere and supply it with ample amounts of amino acids, especially aspartic.