Aminonitriles: Possible role in chemical evolution

The formation of HCN, ammonium cyanide, alkylnitriles, aminoacetonitrile and its C-and N-methyl homologs was demonstrated earlier in a simulated Jovian atmosphere. The polymeric material resulting in these experiments was shown to give glycine, alanine, sarcosine, aspartic acid and someimiono dibasic acids on acid hydrolysis suggesting thereby the participation of the monomeric nitriles into the formation of the polymeric products(s). Further examination of products resulting from semi-corona and are discharge through a mixture of methane and ammonia has provided evidence for the formation of alkylaminopropionitriles as a complex mixture and also some pyridyl and pyrimidyl type heterocyclic compounds. A GC-MS examination of the heterocyclics showed resemblance with those found in some carbonaceous chondrites. The significance of these findings in relation to chemical evolution will be discussed.