In situ synthesis during organic analysis of lunar samples

In the development and application of extremely sensitive analytical techniques the need for extreme cleanliness and avoidance of contamination has been generally recognized and complied with in the organic analysis of lunar samples. Much less attention has been paid to the possibility of inadvertent synthesis of certain organic molecules from indigenous smaller organic or even inorganic constituents of the lunar material. At the part-per-billion level of detectability reactions proceeding even at very low yield can lead to detectable products. A particular area of concern should be the amino acid analysis since those substances are known to be formed by condensation of ammonia, cyanide and carbonyl compounds, all potential products of lunar material upon treatment with aqueous media.