Abstract
THERMODYNAMIC considerations dictate the existence of a reducing atmosphere on the Earth during the synthesis of prebiological organic compounds1. Most of these molecules have been synthesized from methane, ammonia and water, or compounds derivable from these, using ionizing radiation, ultraviolet light or electrical discharges2. If the atmosphere was derived by outgassing3, the compounds emitted through volcanic processes should have reflected their equilibrium composition in the crust. Once released they would have approached a new thermodynamic equilibrium dictated by cooler surface conditions. Here we explore some of the reactions whereby such a primitive atmosphere4 might have given rise to reduced compounds of C and N.
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RAFF, R., MEABURN, G. Photochemical Reaction Mechanisms for Production of Organic Compounds in a Primitive Earth Atmosphere. Nature 221, 459–460 (1969). https://doi.org/10.1038/221459a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/221459a0
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