Primordial Carbonylated Iron-Sulfur Compounds and the Synthesis of Pyruvate
Abstract
Experiments exploring the potential catalytic role of iron sulfide at 250 degrees C and elevated pressures (50, 100, and 200 megapascals) revealed a facile, pressure-enhanced synthesis of organometallic phases formed through the reaction of alkyl thiols and carbon monoxide with iron sulfide. A suite of organometallic compounds were characterized with ultraviolet-visible and Raman spectroscopy. The natural synthesis of such compounds is anticipated in present-day and ancient environments wherever reduced hydrothermal fluids pass through iron sulfide-containing crust. Here, pyruvic acid was synthesized in the presence of such organometallic phases. These compounds could have provided the prebiotic Earth with critical biochemical functionality.
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- Authors
- Cody, G. D., Boctor, N. Z., Filley, T. R., Hazen, R. M., Scott, J. H., Sharma, A., & Yoder, H. S.
- Affiliations
- Carnegie Institution for Science (US)
- Corresponding author
- Cody, George D.
- Venue
- Science
- Published
- 2000-08-25
- Volume
- 289
- Issue
- 5483
- Pages
- 1337-1340
- ISSN
- 0036-8075 (ISSN-L)
- 1095-9203
- OpenAlex
- W1966252600
- Cited by
- 441
- References
- 2
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 20 · 2024: 15 · 2023: 15 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 15 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 17 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 16 · 2016: 21 · 2015: 18 · 2014: 21 · 2013: 22 · 2012: 19
- FWCI
- 12.80
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Science (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Origins and Evolution of Life
- Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Paleontology › Paleontology and Stratigraphy of Fossils
- Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Geochemistry and Petrology › Geochemistry and Elemental Analysis
- Keywords
- iron sulfide, pyruvate synthesis, prebiotic chemistry, organometallic compounds, alkanethiols, carbon monoxide, high-pressure catalysis, hydrothermal fluids, early Earth, origin of life
- MeSH terms
- Origin of Life, Carbon Monoxide, Catalysis, Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid, Ferrous Compounds, Formates, Hydrogen, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, Organometallic Compounds, Oxidation-Reduction, Pressure, Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet, Spectrum Analysis, Spectrum Analysis, Raman, Temperature, Pyruvic Acid, Evolution, Chemical
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