Nickel-organo compounds as potential enzyme precursors under simulated early Earth conditions.

ABSTRACT: The transition from inorganic catalysis through minerals to organic catalysis by enzymes is a necessary step in the emergence of life. Our work is elucidating likely reactions at the earliest moments of Life, prior to the existence of enzymatic catalysis, by exploring essential intersections between nickel bioinorganic chemistry and pterin biochemistry. We used a prebiotically-inspired acetylene-containing volcanic hydrothermal experimental environment to shed light on the efficient formation of nickel-organo complexes. The simplest bis(dithiolene)nickel complex (C₂H₂S₂)₂Ni was identified by UV/Vis spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance. Its temporal progression and possible function in this simulated early Earth atmosphere w

SUBMITTER: Diederich P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10869729 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature