Photocatalysis and the origin of life: synthesis of nucleoside bases from formamide on TiO2(001) single surfaces.

ABSTRACT: We report the conversion of a large fraction of formamide (NH(2)CHO) to high-molecular-weight compounds attributed to nucleoside bases on the surface of a TiO(2) (001) single crystal in ultra-high vacuum conditions. If true, we present previously unreported evidence for making biologically relevant molecules from a C1 compound on any single crystal surface in high vacuum and in dry conditions. An UV light of 3.2 eV was necessary to make the reaction. This UV light excites the semiconductor surface but not directly the adsorbed formamide molecules or the reaction products. There thus is no need to use high energy in the form of photons or electrical discharge to make the carbon-carbon and carbon-nitrogen bonds necessary for life. Consequently, the reaction products may accumulate with time

SUBMITTER: Senanayake SD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1360520 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature