A quantitative assay of biologically important compounds in simulated primitive Earth experiments.
A CH4-N2-H2OV gas mixture was subjected to a high voltage (20 kV), high frequency (0.3 MHz) electric discharge.  The energy input in the electric discharge was varied from 0.016 to 3.048 MJ mol-1.  The chemical yields (G), expressed as the number of molecules formed or destroyed per 100 eV of energy input were calculated for several products.  The G values calculated at the lowest energy input were (-CH4) = 6.48; (-N2) = 2.51; (C2H2) = 1.16; (HCN) = 0.215; (CH3CHO) = 0.115; (CH3CH2CHO) = 0.00161; (CH3(CH2)2CHO) = 0.0165; ((CH2CO2H)2) = 0.0000339; (CH4 --> Solid material) = 0.196; (N2 --> Solid material) = 0.00355.  This is the first report in prebiotic studies in which the G values of various products in electric discharge experiments are determined.  This type of study is needed in order to get a better insight into the relative role of electric discharges on the primitive Earth.
Honda
Y
Y
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park 20742.
Navarro-González
R
R
Ponnamperuma
C
C
D000447:Aldehydes / Q000032:analysis; D002264:Carboxylic Acids / Q000032:analysis; D002625:Chemistry, Organic; D018534:Earth, Planet; D004560:Electricity; D004735:Energy Transfer; D006838:Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis; D008697:Methane / Q000737:chemistry*; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000737:chemistry*; D055601:Organic Chemistry Phenomena
D000447:Aldehydes; D002264:Carboxylic Acids; D006838:Hydrocarbons; D009584:Nitrogen; D008697:Methane