title: The formation of amino acid precursors in the reaction of atomic carbon with water and ammonia at 77 K.
abstract: When atomic carbon is condensed on a surface at 77 K containing ammonia and water, glycine, N-methylglycine, alanine, beta-alanine, aspartic acid and serine are generated. It is postulated that these reactions may mimic those which occur when an extraterrestrial carbon atom condenses on a frozen surface coated with water and ammonia and may provide a route to extraterrestrial amino acids. Experiments designed to elucidate the mechanisms of amino acid formation under these conditions have been carried out.
mesh_terms: D000596:Amino Acids; D000641:Ammonia; D002244:Carbon; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D013696:Temperature; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D014867:Water; D002244:Carbon; D000641:Ammonia