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. 1966 Jul 1;153(3731):72-3.
doi: 10.1126/science.153.3731.72.

Conditions for purine synthesis: did prebiotic synthesis occur at low temperatures?

R Sanchez, J Ferris, L E Orgel

Conditions for purine synthesis: did prebiotic synthesis occur at low temperatures?

R Sanchez et al. Science. .

Abstract

The rate of polymerization of hydrogen cyanide to aminomalononitrile and the tetramer, diaminomalonodinitrile, is quadratic in the total cyanide concentration. Since the reactions form part of a plausible prebiotic purine synthesis and since they compete with hydrolysis, concentration of cyanide may have been important. This may be achieved usefully by cooling to separate out ice.

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