Carbon dioxide photoreduction in prebiotic environments

Photochem Photobiol Sci. 2022 May;21(5):863-878. doi: 10.1007/s43630-021-00168-x. Epub 2022 Feb 2.

Abstract

The reduction of carbon dioxide is one of the hottest topics due to the concern of global warming. Carbon dioxide reduction is also an essential step for life's origins as photoautotrophs arose soon after Earth formation. Both the topics are of high general interest, and possibly, there could be a fruitful cross-fertilization of the two fields. Herein, we selected and collected papers related to photoreduction of carbon dioxide using compounds easily available on the Earth and considered of prebiotic relevance. This work might be useful also to scientists interested in carbon dioxide photoreduction and/or to have an overview of the techniques available.

Keywords: Carbon dioxide fixation; Heavy metal-free carbon dioxide photoreduction; Origins of life; Prebiotic photoautotrophs; Prebiotic photochemistry; Prebiotic photosynthesis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Carbon Dioxide* / chemistry
  • Earth, Planet

Substances

  • Carbon Dioxide