"Groundbreaking Discovery: Ancient Photoredox Catalyst Uncovered by Scientists"
Originally Published 2 years ago — by SciTechDaily
Scientists have discovered that a solid formed from ammonia and methane plasma can use sunlight to catalyze amine-to-imine conversions, a process crucial in the formation of early biomolecules. This finding suggests that the primordial atmosphere itself may have provided the necessary catalysts for these reactions, supporting the evolution of early RNA molecules. The study demonstrates the potential of carbon nitride-based photocatalysts and sheds light on the possible evolutionary path of biomolecules on early Earth.