Hydrodynamic cavitation for prebiotic ribose formation from H₂O and CO₂

H₂O and CO₂ are considered as fundamental precursors for the prebiotic formation of biomolecules. Their conversion to biomolecules under early Earth conditions is critical for understanding origin of life. However, direct formation from these simple compounds remains unverified, leaving the mechanistic role of H₂O unresolved. Herein, we demonstrate ribose synthesis from H₂O and CO₂ under prebiotic conditions via hydrodynamic cavitation, a process naturally occurring in ancient oceans. Ca²⁺-mediated hydrodynamic cavitation in a Venturi reactor produced ribose as the major sugar product. Ribose was predicted to be formed from formaldehyde and CH₂OH· radicals generated via a sequential reaction involving OH·, H·, and C₁· radicals derived from H₂O and CO₂ under high-temperature/pressure induced by hydrodynamic cavitation, followed by successive CH₂OH· radical substitutions. These findings indicate that early Earth's aqueous fluids could enable abiotic biomolecule formation, suggesting flowing H₂O acted as both driver and reactant in life's chemical origin.