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Interstellar formation of lactaldehyde, a key intermediate in the methylglyoxal pathway

Author

Listed:
  • Jia Wang

    (University of Hawaii at Manoa
    University of Hawaii at Manoa)

  • Chaojiang Zhang

    (University of Hawaii at Manoa
    University of Hawaii at Manoa)

  • Joshua H. Marks

    (University of Hawaii at Manoa
    University of Hawaii at Manoa)

  • Mikhail M. Evseev

    (Samara National Research University)

  • Oleg V. Kuznetsov

    (Samara National Research University)

  • Ivan O. Antonov

    (Samara National Research University)

  • Ralf I. Kaiser

    (University of Hawaii at Manoa
    University of Hawaii at Manoa)

Abstract

Aldehydes are ubiquitous in star-forming regions and carbonaceous chondrites, serving as essential intermediates in metabolic pathways and molecular mass growth processes to vital biomolecules necessary for the origins of life. However, their interstellar formation mechanisms have remained largely elusive. Here, we unveil the formation of lactaldehyde (CH3CH(OH)CHO) by barrierless recombination of formyl (HĊO) and 1-hydroxyethyl (CH3ĊHOH) radicals in interstellar ice analogs composed of carbon monoxide (CO) and ethanol (CH3CH2OH). Lactaldehyde and its isomers 3-hydroxypropanal (HOCH2CH2CHO), ethyl formate (CH3CH2OCHO), and 1,3-propenediol (HOCH2CHCHOH) are identified in the gas phase utilizing isomer-selective photoionization reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometry and isotopic substitution studies. These findings reveal fundamental formation pathways for complex, biologically relevant aldehydes through non-equilibrium reactions in interstellar environments. Once synthesized, lactaldehyde can act as a key precursor to critical biomolecules such as sugars, sugar acids, and amino acids in deep space.

Suggested Citation

  • Jia Wang & Chaojiang Zhang & Joshua H. Marks & Mikhail M. Evseev & Oleg V. Kuznetsov & Ivan O. Antonov & Ralf I. Kaiser, 2024. "Interstellar formation of lactaldehyde, a key intermediate in the methylglyoxal pathway," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-54562-x
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-54562-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Michel Nuevo & George Cooper & Scott A. Sandford, 2018. "Deoxyribose and deoxysugar derivatives from photoprocessed astrophysical ice analogues and comparison to meteorites," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-10, December.
    2. Kamila B. Muchowska & Sreejith J. Varma & Joseph Moran, 2019. "Synthesis and breakdown of universal metabolic precursors promoted by iron," Nature, Nature, vol. 569(7754), pages 104-107, May.
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