Sugar synthesis from a gas-phase formose reaction

Area of Science:

• Astrochemistry and Astrobiology
• Theoretical and Computational Chemistry
• Origins of Life Research

Background:

• The formose reaction is a key pathway for prebiotic sugar synthesis.
• Interstellar formation of sugars like ribose is crucial for understanding life's origins.
• Previous studies often relied on catalysts or specific conditions not prevalent in interstellar space.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential for synthesizing interstellar ribose via a gas-phase, protic formose reaction.
• To explore ion-molecule reactions as a catalytic-free mechanism for sugar formation in space.
• To develop a physical model for glycoaldehyde generation under interstellar conditions.

Main Methods:

• Experimental investigation using mass spectrometry to detect diose and triose products.
• Theoretical analysis employing ab initio calculations to assess protic formose mechanism viability.
• Bilateral theoretical and experimental approach to model glycoaldehyde formation.

Main Results:

• Observed relevant masses corresponding to diose and triose, indicating product formation.
• Developed a physical model where hydronium cations mediate formaldehyde dimerization.
• Demonstrated covalent bond formation leading to diose and water generation.

Conclusions:

• Ion-molecule reactions between formaldehyde (CH(2)O) and hydronium ions (H(3)O(+)) can yield formose reaction products.
• This pathway advances the possibility of sugar formation in interstellar environments.
• Provides insights into potential prebiotic chemistry processes occurring in outer space.