Direct evidence for the availability of reactive, water soluble phosphorus on the early Earth. H-phosphinic acid from the Nantan meteorite.
Anoxic irradiation of a type IIICD iron meteorite known to contain the phosphide mineral schreibersite (Fe,Ni)3P in the presence of ethanol/water affords the reactive oxyacid H-phosphinic acid (H3PO2) as the dominant phosphorus product.
Bryant
David E
DE
School of Chemistry, University of Leeds, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds, UK LS2 9JT.
Kee
Terence P
TP
D000431:Ethanol / Q000737:chemistry; D019418:Evolution, Chemical; D019110:Meteoroids; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010721:Phosphinic Acids / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry*; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000737:chemistry*; D012995:Solubility; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
D010721:Phosphinic Acids; D014867:Water; D010758:Phosphorus; D000431:Ethanol