Favorable Environments for the Formation of Ferrocyanide, a Potentially Critical Reagent for Origins of Life.

ABSTRACT: Cyanide and its derivatives play important roles in prebiotic chemistry through a variety of possible mechanisms. In particular, cyanide has been shown to allow for the synthesis of ribonucleotides and amino acids. Although dissolved hydrogen cyanide can be lost as a gas or undergo hydrolysis reactions, cyanide can also potentially be stored and stockpiled as ferrocyanide (Fe(CN)₆^-4), which is more stable. Furthermore, ferrocyanide aids in some prebiotic synthetic reactions. Here, we investigate the formation rates and yields of ferrocyanide as a function of various environmental parameters, such as the pH, temperature, and concentration. We find that ferrocyanide formation rates and yields are optimal at slightly alkaline conditions (pH 8-9) and moderate temperatures

SUBMITTER: Todd ZR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10875668 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature