scholarly journals A Lizardite–HCN Interaction Leading the Increasing of Molecular Complexity in an Alkaline Hydrothermal Scenario: Implications for Origin of Life Studies

Life ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 661
Author(s):  
Saúl A. Villafañe-Barajas ◽  
Marta Ruiz-Bermejo ◽  
Pedro Rayo-Pizarroso ◽  
Santos Gálvez-Martínez ◽  
Eva Mateo-Martí ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Evolution ◽  
Hydrogen Cyanide ◽  
Organic Molecule ◽  
Organic Molecules ◽  
Analytical Techniques ◽  
Mineral Surfaces ◽  
Mineral Surface ◽  
Molecular Complexity ◽  
Molecule Production

Hydrogen cyanide, HCN, is considered a fundamental molecule in chemical evolution. The named HCN polymers have been suggested as precursors of important bioorganics. Some novel researches have focused on the role of mineral surfaces in the hydrolysis and/or polymerization of cyanide species, but until now, their role has been unclear. Understanding the role of minerals in chemical evolution processes is crucial because minerals undoubtedly interacted with the organic molecules formed on the early Earth by different process. Therefore, we simulated the probable interactions between HCN and a serpentinite-hosted alkaline hydrothermal system. We studied the effect of serpentinite during the thermolysis of HCN at basic conditions (i.e., HCN 0.15 M, 50 h, 100 °C, pH > 10). The HCN-derived thermal polymer and supernatant formed after treatment were analyzed by several complementary analytical techniques. The results obtained suggest that: I) the mineral surfaces can act as mediators in the mechanisms of organic molecule production such as the polymerization of HCN; II) the thermal and physicochemical properties of the HCN polymer produced are affected by the presence of the mineral surface; and III) serpentinite seems to inhibit the formation of bioorganic molecules compared with the control (without mineral).

An experimental study of the thermolysis of hydrogen cyanide: the role of hydrothermal systems in chemical evolution

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 369-378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saúl A. Villafañe-Barajas ◽  
María Colín-García ◽  
Alicia Negrón-Mendoza ◽  
Marta Ruiz-Bermejo
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Evolution ◽  
Hydrogen Cyanide ◽  
Organic Molecules ◽  
Chemical Species ◽  
Hydrothermal Systems ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Complex Molecules ◽  
Prebiotic Molecules ◽  
The Stability

AbstractHydrogen cyanide (HCN) is considered a fundamental molecule in prebiotic chemistry experiments due to the fact that it could have an important role as raw material to form more complex molecules, as well as it could be an intermediate molecule in chemical reactions. However, the primitive scenarios in which this molecule might be available have been widely discussed. Hydrothermal systems have been considered as abiotic reactors and ideal niches for chemical evolution. Nevertheless, several experiments have shown that high temperatures and pressures could be adverse to the stability of organic molecules. Thus, it is necessary to carry out systematic experiments to study the synthesis, stability and fate of organic molecules in hydrothermal scenarios. In this work, we performed experiments focused on the stability and fate of HCN under a simple hydrothermal system scenario: the thermolysis of HCN at 100°C, at acidic and basic pH and in the presence of Mg-montmorillonite. Furthermore, we analysed the products from HCN thermolysis and highlighted the role of these chemical species as prebiotic molecules under a hydrothermal scenario.

scholarly journals Editorial for Special Issue “Mineral Surface Reactions at the Nanoscale”

Minerals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 185
Author(s):  
Christine Putnis
Keyword(s):  
Surface Reactions ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Analytical Techniques ◽  
Aqueous Fluid ◽  
Mineral Surfaces ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Mineral Surface ◽  
Electron Microscopies ◽  
Interface Control ◽  
The Earth

Reactions at mineral surfaces are central to all geochemical processes. As minerals comprise the rocks of the Earth, the processes occurring at the mineral–aqueous fluid interface control the evolution of the rocks and, hence, the structure of the crust of the Earth during such processes at metamorphism, metasomatism, and weathering. In recent years, focus has been concentrated on mineral surface reactions made possible through the development of advanced analytical techniques, such as atomic force microscopy (AFM), advanced electron microscopies (SEM and TEM), phase shift interferometry, confocal Raman spectroscopy, advanced synchrotron-based applications, complemented by molecular simulations, to confirm or predict the results of experimental studies. In particular, the development of analytical methods that allow direct observations of mineral–fluid reactions at the nanoscale have revealed new and significant aspects of the kinetics and mechanisms of reactions taking place in fundamental mineral–fluid systems. These experimental and computational studies have enabled new and exciting possibilities to elucidate the mechanisms that govern mineral–fluid reactions, as well as the kinetics of these processes, and, hence, to enhance our ability to predict potential mineral behavior. In this Special Issue “Mineral Surface Reactions at the Nanoscale”, we present 12 contributions that highlight the role and importance of mineral surfaces in varying fields of research.

Adsorption of HCN onto sodium montmorillonite dependent on the pH as a component to chemical evolution

2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 310-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Colin-Garcia ◽  
A. Heredia ◽  
A. Negron-Mendoza ◽  
F. Ortega ◽  
T. Pi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Evolution ◽  
Molecular Model ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Channel Structure ◽  
Mineral Surfaces ◽  
Sodium Montmorillonite ◽  
Complex Molecules ◽  
Prebiotic Chemical ◽  
Physical And Chemical

AbstractThe aim of this work is to study the behaviour of hydrogen cyanide (HCN) adsorbed onto mineral surfaces (sodium montmorillonite, a clay mineral) in different pH environments as a possible prebiotic process for complexation of organics. Our experimental results show that specific sites on the surface of the clay increased the concentration of HCN molecules dependent on the pH values. Moreover, this adsorption can occur through physical and chemical interactions enhanced by the channel structure of the sodium montmorillonite. The three-dimensional channelling structure of the clay accumulates the organics, hindering the releasing (desorption) of the organic molecules. A molecular model developed here also confirms the role of the pH as a regulating factor in the adsorption of HCN onto the inorganic surfaces and the possibility for further reactions forming more complex molecules, as an abiotic mechanism important in prebiotic chemical evolution processes.

Stability of α-ketoglutaric acid simulating an impact-generated hydrothermal system: implications for prebiotic chemistry studies

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 253-259
Author(s):  
L. Ramírez-Vázquez ◽  
A. Negrón-Mendoza
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Reactions ◽  
Chemical Evolution ◽  
Hydrothermal System ◽  
Krebs Cycle ◽  
Physicochemical Process ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
Mineral Surfaces ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Stability

AbstractLife originated on Earth possibly as a physicochemical process; thus, geological environments and their hypothetical characteristics on early Earth are essential for chemical evolution studies. Also, it is necessary to consider the energy sources that were available in the past and the components that could have contributed to promote chemical reactions. It has been proposed that the components could have been mineral surfaces. The aim of this work is to determine the possible role of mineral surfaces on chemical evolution, and to study of the stability of relevant molecules for metabolism, such as α-ketoglutaric acid (α-keto acid, Krebs cycle participant), using ionizing radiation and thermal energy as energy sources and mineral surfaces to promote chemical reactions. Preliminary results show α-ketoglutaric acid can be relatively stable at the simulated conditions of an impact-generated hydrothermal system; thus, those systems might have been plausible environments for chemical evolution on Earth.

scholarly journals Brief Overview. Role of Computation Biology & Bioinformatics in Drug Design

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ghafran Ali ◽  
kanza Ashfaq
Keyword(s):  
Drug Design ◽  
Organic Molecule ◽  
Organic Molecules ◽  
Clinical Sample ◽  
Research Field ◽  
Target Region ◽  
Small Organic Molecules ◽  
Bioinformatics Tools ◽  
Sample Test

Drug design is used for different applications of bioinformatics tools analyze DNA, genome, and sequence target region of a small organic molecule in order to understand the molecules of disease. Bioinformatics tools are identified a newly wide research field and minimize future risks through web servers and data mining. Clinical sample test performed with the bioinformatics tools as the biomedical detective. A particular structure and configuration of protein obliging in Drug design concluded Bioinformatics. This review bioinformatics tools and webserver will discuss functions of small organic molecules according to clinical pharmacology.

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