The mechanisms of amino acids synthesis by high temperature shock-waves

The mechanisms of amino acids syntheses behind high temperature shock-waves were elucidated and distinction was made between the steps occurring in the gas phase and those occurring in solution. In the presence of water vapor, aldehydes and NCN are formed separately in regions of different temperatures along the reacting gas. The aldehydes and ammonia condense to aldimines which add HCN to form α-amino nitriles, all in the gas phase. The hydrolysis to amino acids takes place in solution. In the absence of water vapor, aldimines and NCN are formed in the gas phase but condense to α-amino nitriles only in solution. A fair amount of oxygen only lowers the production of amino acids, which consequently could still be produced in the presence of oxygen in the Earth's primitive atmosphere. The waterless mechanism can operate in the Jovian atmosphere and supply it with ample amounts of amino acids, especially aspartic.