title: Primordial carbonylated iron-sulfur compounds and the synthesis of pyruvate.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Geophysical Laboratory, Carnegie Institution of Washington, 5251 Broad Branch Road, NW, Washington, DC 20015, USA.
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Cody
authors.forename: N Z
authors.initials: NZ
authors.lastname: Boctor
authors.forename: T R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Filley
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Hazen
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Yoder
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D005296:Ferrous Compounds; D005561:Formates; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; C030544:formic acid; D002248:Carbon Monoxide; D006859:Hydrogen; D019289:Pyruvic Acid; C022597:ferrous sulfide