Formamide and chemical evolution of life

Abstract: The aim of this project is to create new base of research results in the field of critical evaluation on the formamide-based synthesis of biomolecules and subsequent formation of living structures on early Earth. The research objectives can be summarized as follows: Objective 1: Experiments with H, C, O, N prebiotic mixtures in discharges. The mixture will be defined based on the requirements of the French side. Detection of unstable radicals, ions, analysis of stable products, formamide detection, detection of biomolecules, data processing and delivery (realization in the 1st and 2nd quarter of the year 2016). Determination of the formamide reaction network and the corresponding free-energy landscape, starting from simple molecules (water, ammonia, methane, carbon monoxide and dioxide) in gas phase at different temperatures, with and without an electric field mimicking, as in Miller experiments. Objective 2: Comparative experiments with H, C, O, N prebiotic mixtures in thermolysis. Cooperation on kinetic models with the French side, data processing and delivery. Detection of unstable radicals, ions, analysis of stable products, formamide detection, detection of biomolecules (realization in the 3th and 4th quarter of the year 2016). On the French side Determination of the formamide reaction network and the corresponding free-energy landscape. Objective 3: Mapping on reaction kinetics, theoretical calculations on the Czech and French side (realization in the 1st and 2nd quarter of the year 2017). Objective 4: Theoretical calculations on the French side, mapping chemistry of prebiotic mixtures, the role of formamide (detection in individual experiments), its reactivity, reactivity of the intermediates and pertinent biomolecules detected experimentally, consultations with the Czech side (realization in the 3th and 4th quarter of the 2017). Keywords in English: Formamide, infrared spectroscopy, discharge in gaseous mixtures