Primordial carbonylated iron-sulfur compounds and the synthesis of pyruvate.
Experiments exploring the potential catalytic role of iron sulfide at 250 degrees C and elevated pressures (50, 100, and 200 megapascals) revealed a facile, pressure-enhanced synthesis of organometallic phases formed through the reaction of alkyl thiols and carbon monoxide with iron sulfide. A suite of organometallic compounds were characterized with ultraviolet-visible and Raman spectroscopy. The natural synthesis of such compounds is anticipated in present-day and ancient environments wherever reduced hydrothermal fluids pass through iron sulfide-containing crust. Here, pyruvic acid was synthesized in the presence of such organometallic phases. These compounds could have provided the prebiotic Earth with critical biochemical functionality.
Cody
G D
GD
Geophysical Laboratory, Carnegie Institution of Washington, 5251 Broad Branch Road, NW, Washington, DC 20015, USA.
Boctor
N Z
NZ
Filley
T R
TR
Hazen
R M
RM
Scott
J H
JH
Sharma
A
A
Yoder
H S
HS
D002248:Carbon Monoxide / Q000737:chemistry; D002384:Catalysis; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D019418:Evolution, Chemical; D005296:Ferrous Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D005561:Formates / Q000737:chemistry; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006859:Hydrogen / Q000737:chemistry; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D000069497:Origin of Life; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D011312:Pressure; D019289:Pyruvic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; D013057:Spectrum Analysis; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman; D013696:Temperature
D005296:Ferrous Compounds; D005561:Formates; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; C030544:formic acid; D002248:Carbon Monoxide; D006859:Hydrogen; D019289:Pyruvic Acid; C022597:ferrous sulfide