Boron as a Hypothetical Participant in the Prebiological Enantiomeric Enrichment

Franco, A.; Neves, M. O.; da Silva, J. A. L.

Key information

Authors:

Franco, A. (Ana Cristina Franco Banha); Neves, M. O. (Maria Orquídia Teixeira Neves); da Silva, J. A. L. (José Armando Luísa da Silva)

Published in

May 1, 2023

Abstract

Boron, as borate (or boric acid), is known as a mediator of the synthesis of ribose, ribonucleosides, and ribonucleotides (precursors of RNA) under plausible prebiotic conditions. With regard to these phenomena, the potential participation of this chemical element (as a constituent of minerals or hydrogels) for the emergence of prebiological homochirality is considered. This hypothesis is based on characteristics of crystalline surfaces as well as solubility of some minerals of boron in water or specific features of hydrogels with ester bonds from reaction of ribonucleosides and borate.