Abiotic formation of nitrile precursors to amino acids and nucleobases in interstellar ice analogues.

ABSTRACT: Amino acids and the five canonical nucleobases have been identified in carbonaceous meteorites such as Murchison and Murray; however, their formation mechanisms under interstellar conditions have remained largely elusive. Here, we report the synthesis of biorelevant nitriles, key precursors to amino acids and nucleobases, in low-temperature interstellar model ices composed of hydrogen cyanide (HCN) irradiated with galactic cosmic ray proxies in the form of energetic electrons. Ammonia (NH₃), diazene (HNNH), methylamine (CH₃NH₂), ammonium cyanide (NH₄CN), ethanimine (CH₃CHNH), and nitriles including isocyanogen (CNCN), cyanamide (NH₂CN), iminoacetonitrile (HNCHCN), N-cyanomethanimine (H₂CNCN), and methyl cya

SUBMITTER: Wang J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12820785 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature