Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Experiments on the amplification of optical activity

N E Blair, W A Bonner

    Origins of Life
    |September 1, 1980
    PubMed
    Summary

    This study investigated chiral amplification in amino acid N-carboxy-anhydrides (NCAs). Leucine NCA polymerization enhanced enantiomeric excess (e.e.) in the polymer, while valine NCA polymerization decreased e.e. in the polymer, showing divergent chiral amplification mechanisms.

    Related Concept Videos

    You might also read

    Related Articles

    Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

    Sort by
    Same author

    Pillars article: cell sorting: automated separation of Mammalian cells as a function of intracellular fluorescence. Science. 1969. 166: 747-749.

    Journal of immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)·2014
    Same author

    Acyl interconversions of aryl polyacylglycosides.

    The Journal of organic chemistry·2010
    Same author

    Fusion syntheses of aryl polyacylglycosides.

    The Journal of organic chemistry·2010
    Same author

    1,6- (or 2,5-) Disubstituted naphthalenes.

    The Journal of organic chemistry·2010
    Same author

    Crystalline 2,3,4,6-tetrapropionyl-beta-d-glucose.

    Journal of the American Chemical Society·2010
    Same author

    Asymmetric photolysis with elliptically polarized light.

    Origins of life and evolution of the biosphere : the journal of the International Society for the Study of the Origin of Life·2001

    Area of Science:

    • Chiral chemistry
    • Organic chemistry
    • Biochemistry

    Background:

    • Investigating abiotic amplification mechanisms for small enantiomeric excesses (e.e.) in amino acid enantiomers is crucial.
    • Understanding chiral amplification in prebiotic chemistry provides insights into the origin of homochirality.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To quantitatively study the base-initiated partial polymerization of leucine and valine N-carboxy-anhydride (NCA) enantiomer mixtures.
    • To investigate mechanisms for abiotic amplification of small enantiomeric excesses in nearly racemic amino acid mixtures.

    Main Methods:

    • Quantitative study of base-initiated partial polymerization of leucine and valine NCA enantiomer mixtures.
    • Analysis of enantiomeric excess (e.e.) in both the polymerized product and unpolymerized residue.

    Main Results:

    • Leucine NCA polymerization (ca. 50%) with 8-70% initial e.e. resulted in polymer with enhanced e.e. (12-84%) of the predominant enantiomer.
    • Valine NCA polymerization (25-50%) with 12-13% initial e.e. showed a decrease in polymer e.e. (7-8%) and an increase in the unpolymerized residue.
    • Observed divergent results for leucine and valine NCA polymerization, with valine showing novel behavior.

    Conclusions:

    • Partial polymerization of leucine NCA amplifies the enantiomeric excess of the predominant enantiomer in the polymer.
    • Partial polymerization of valine NCA leads to a decrease in the enantiomeric excess of the predominant enantiomer in the polymer, a novel observation.
    • These findings suggest different mechanisms for chiral amplification in amino acid NCA polymerization, impacting understanding of optical activity origins.

    Related Experiment Videos