High temperature sublimation of α-amino acids: a realistic prebiotic process leading to large enantiomeric excess

Chem Commun (Camb). 2015 Apr 25;51(32):7054-7. doi: 10.1039/c5cc00254k. Epub 2015 Mar 25.

Abstract

The reiterative high temperature co-sublimation of an enantiopure or an enantioenriched α-amino acid mixed with racemic α-amino acids leads to deracemization of the latter. A synergistic effect is observed for complex mixtures, and the sense of the handedness is, for all compounds, identical to that of the enantioenriched starting material.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acids / chemistry*
  • Phase Transition*
  • Stereoisomerism
  • Temperature*

Substances

  • Amino Acids