title: Question 1: the FeS/H2S system as a possible primordial source of redox energy.
abstract: The theory of chemoautotrophy, as developed by Wächtershäuser, has been subject to experimental studies, which show a possible carbon fixation pathway of several consecutive steps from simple CO2 to amino acids, using the redox system of iron sulphide and hydrogen sulphide. Main findings were a mimicking of the acetyl-CoA enzyme reaction using the mixed sulphide (Fe,Ni)S and the reduction of dinitrogen to ammonia. Present studies aim at a more detailed investigation of the mechanism of the redox system FeS/H2S and its properties. For these studies a method to produce and immobilise FeS nanoparticles has been developed.
authors.affiliation: Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Institut für Anorganische und Analytische Chemie, August-Bebel-Str. 2, 07743 Jena, Germany.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dörr
authors.forename: Theodor
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Alpermann
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Weigand
mesh_terms: D000641:Ammonia / Q000737:chemistry; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D006859:Hydrogen / Q000737:chemistry*; D007501:Iron / Q000737:chemistry*; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000737:chemistry; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D013440:Sulfides / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D013440:Sulfides; D000641:Ammonia; D006859:Hydrogen; D007501:Iron; D009584:Nitrogen