Production of Potentially Prebiotic Condensed Phosphates by Phosphorus Redox Chemistry

Abstract

Bringing phosphorus to life: The prebiotic origin of key biomolecules such as RNA and ATP is contingent on a source of condensed phosphates, such as pyrophosphate and triphosphate. Condensed phosphates can be produced at high yields from the oxidation of H-phosphonate or H-phosphinate. Reactive phosphates were likely abundant on the early earth's surface, setting the stage for prebiotic chemistry that led to the evolution of life. Supporting information for this article is available on the WWW under http://www.wiley-vch.de/contents/jc_2002/2008/z802145_s.pdf or from the author. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.