Enantioselective synthesis and enantiomeric amplification of amino acids under prebiotic conditions.
A plausible origin of biomolecular homochirality is advanced, where alpha-methyl amino acids found on meteorites transfer their chirality in the synthesis of normal amino acids. This asymmetry can be amplified to nearly homochiral levels, thus providing the necessary prerequisite for life to start on this planet and elsewhere in the universe.
Levine
Mindy
M
Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA.
Kenesky
Craig Scott
CS
Mazori
Daniel
D
Breslow
Ronald
R
D000596:Amino Acids / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry*; D019110:Meteoroids; D015394:Molecular Structure; D013237:Stereoisomerism
D000596:Amino Acids