Skip to main content

The Strecker Synthesis in the Primitive Ocean

  • Conference paper
Origin of Life

Abstract

Most prebiotic amino acid syntheses proceed through the amino nitrile (Strecker synthesis). The equilibrium constants for the formation of glycine nitrile and alanine nitrile have measured as well as the kinetics of their hydrolysis to the amides and amino acids. From the data the yields of amino and hydroxy acids can be calculated as a function of pH, temperature and ammonia concentration. It can also be shown that amino acids can be synthesized at high dilutions in the primitive ocean.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Van Trump, J. E., Thesis, University of California, San Diego.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Van Trump, J. E., and Miller, S. L., in preparation.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Bejaud, M., Mion, L., and Commeyras, A., Bull. Soc. Chim. France 1976, 1425 and preceeding papers.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Bada, J. L. and Miller, S. L., Science 159, 423 (1968).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Sagan, C., and Mullen, G., Science 177, 52 (1972).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Sanchez, R. A., Ferris, J. P., and Orgel, L. E., J. Mol. Biol. 30, 223 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1981 D. Reidel Publishing Company

About this paper

Cite this paper

Miller, S.L., Van Trump, J.E. (1981). The Strecker Synthesis in the Primitive Ocean. In: Wolman, Y. (eds) Origin of Life. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-8420-2_18

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-8420-2_18

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-009-8422-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-8420-2

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics