title: Reductive coupling of aldehydes by h(2) s in aqueous solutions, a C--C bond forming reaction of prebiotic interest.
abstract: We report here a novel reductive coupling reaction of conjugated, non- or poorly enolizable aldehydes induced by H(2) S and operative in aqueous solutions under prebiotically relevant conditions. This reaction leads from retinal to β-carotene, and from benzylic aldehydes to the corresponding diarylethylenes. This novel reaction also opens a new potentially prebiotic pathway leading from glyoxylic acid to various compounds that are involved in the reductive tricarboxylic acid cycle. This C--C bond forming reaction of prebiotic interest might have been operative, notably, in the sulfide-rich environments of hydrothermal vents, which have been postulated as possible sites for the first steps of organic chemical evolution.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Biogéochimie Moléculaire, Université de Strasbourg, Institut de Chimie de Strasbourg, Strasbourg.
authors.forename: Mohammed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kajjout
authors.forename: Yanek
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hebting
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Albrecht
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Adam
mesh_terms: D000447:Aldehydes / Q000737:chemistry*; D002244:Carbon / Q000737:chemistry*; D002952:Citric Acid Cycle; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D013447:Sulfites / Q000737:chemistry; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000447:Aldehydes; D013447:Sulfites; D014867:Water; D002244:Carbon; C042345:hydrogen sulfite