Synthesis of biomolecules from N, CO, and HO by electric discharge.

A model primitive gas containing a mixture of N, CO and water vapor over a water pool (300 mL, ∼ 37 °C) was subjected to electric discharges. The discharge vessel (7 L in volume) was equipped with a CO absorber (The CO being formed during the discharge), thus simulating possible absorption of CO in the primitive ocean. The vessel also has a cold trap (∼ −15 °C), which protects the primary products against the further decomposition in the discharge phase by enabling these products to adhere to the trap. Since the partial pressures of CO and N decreased at rates of 1.5-1.7 cmHg day and 0.1-0.2 cmHg day, respectively, the gases were added at regular intervals. The solution was analyzed at regular intervals for HCN, HCHO and urea, and maximum concentrations of about 50, 2, and 140 mM were observed. The discharge phase was continued for 6 months. In the solution, glycine (5.6% yield based on the carbon), glycylglycine (0.64%), orotic acid (0.004%) and small amounts of the other amino acids were found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]