Enantioselective synthesis and enantiomeric amplification of amino acids under prebiotic conditions

Mindy Levine; Craig Scott Kenesky; Daniel Mazori; Ronald Breslow

doi:10.1021/ol8007099

Enantioselective synthesis and enantiomeric amplification of amino acids under prebiotic conditions

Org Lett. 2008 Jun 19;10(12):2433-6. doi: 10.1021/ol8007099. Epub 2008 May 21.

Authors

Mindy Levine¹, Craig Scott Kenesky, Daniel Mazori, Ronald Breslow

Affiliation

¹ Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA.

PMID: 18491865
DOI: 10.1021/ol8007099

Abstract

A plausible origin of biomolecular homochirality is advanced, where alpha-methyl amino acids found on meteorites transfer their chirality in the synthesis of normal amino acids. This asymmetry can be amplified to nearly homochiral levels, thus providing the necessary prerequisite for life to start on this planet and elsewhere in the universe.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

Amino Acids / chemical synthesis*
Amino Acids / chemistry*
Meteoroids*
Molecular Structure
Stereoisomerism

Substances

Amino Acids