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Prebiotic formation of enantiomeric excess D-amino acids on natural pyrite

Author

Listed:
  • Ruiqi Li

    (Tongji University)

  • Quanzheng Deng

    (Tongji University)

  • Lu Han

    (Tongji University)

  • Tianwei Ouyang

    (Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

  • Shunai Che

    (Tongji University
    Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

  • Yuxi Fang

    (Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

Abstract

D-amino acids, found in excess in a minority of organisms and crucial for marine invertebrates, contrast with the more common L-amino acids in most life forms. The local prebiotic origin of D-amino acid enantiomeric excess in natural systems remains an unsolved conundrum. Herein, we demonstrate the formation of enantiomeric excess (ee) D-amino acids through photocatalytic reductive amination of α-keto acids on natural pyrite. Various amino acids with ee values in the range of 14.5–42.4%, are formed. The wavy arrangement of atoms on the surface of pyrite is speculated to lead to the preferential formation of D-amino acids. This work reveals the intrinsic asymmetric photocatalytic activity of pyrite, which could expand understandings on mechanism of asymmetric catalysis and chirality of inorganic crystals. Furthermore, it provides a plausible pathway for the prebiotic formation of D-amino acids, adding further evidence to the origin of D-amino acids enantiomeric excess in natural systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Ruiqi Li & Quanzheng Deng & Lu Han & Tianwei Ouyang & Shunai Che & Yuxi Fang, 2024. "Prebiotic formation of enantiomeric excess D-amino acids on natural pyrite," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-54481-x
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-54481-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. G. L. J. A. Rikken & E. Raupach, 2000. "Enantioselective magnetochiral photochemistry," Nature, Nature, vol. 405(6789), pages 932-935, June.
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