Lipid synthesis under hydrothermal conditions by Fischer-Tropsch-type reactions.
01 Mar 1999-Origins of Life and Evolution of Biospheres (Orig Life Evol Biosph)-Vol. 29, Iss: 2, pp 153-166
TL;DR: Here the authors report on the formation of lipid compounds during Fischer-Tropsch-type synthesis from aqueous solutions of formic acid or oxalic acid, which yield the same lipid classes with essentially the same ranges of compounds.
Abstract: Ever since their discovery in the late 1970's, mid-ocean-ridge hydrothermal systems have received a great deal of attention as a possible site for the origin of life on Earth (and environments analogous to mid-ocean-ridge hydrothermal systems are postulated to have been sites where life could have originated or Mars and elsewhere as well) Because no modern-day terrestrial hydrothermal systems are free from the influence of organic compounds derived from biologic processes, laboratory experiments provide the best opportunity for confirmation of the potential for organic synthesis in hydrothermal systems Here we report on the formation of lipid compounds during Fischer-Tropsch-type synthesis from aqueous solutions of formic acid or oxalic acid Optimum synthesis occurs in stainless steel vessels by heating at 175 degrees C for 2-3 days and produces lipid compounds ranging from C2 to > C35 which consist of n-alkanols, n-alkanoic acids, n-alkenes, n-alkanes and alkanones The precursor carbon sources used are either formic acid or oxalic acid, which disproportionate to H2, CO2 and probably CO Both carbon sources yield the same lipid classes with essentially the same ranges of compounds The synthesis reactions were confirmed by using 13C labeled precursor acids
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TL;DR: Several biomass hydrothermal conversion processes are in development or demonstration as mentioned in this paper, which are generally lower temperature (200-400 °C) reactions which produce liquid products, often called bio-oil or bio-crude.
Abstract: Hydrothermal technologies are broadly defined as chemical and physical transformations in high-temperature (200–600 °C), high-pressure (5–40 MPa) liquid or supercritical water. This thermochemical means of reforming biomass may have energetic advantages, since, when water is heated at high pressures a phase change to steam is avoided which avoids large enthalpic energy penalties. Biological chemicals undergo a range of reactions, including dehydration and decarboxylation reactions, which are influenced by the temperature, pressure, concentration, and presence of homogeneous or heterogeneous catalysts. Several biomass hydrothermal conversion processes are in development or demonstration. Liquefaction processes are generally lower temperature (200–400 °C) reactions which produce liquid products, often called “bio-oil” or “bio-crude”. Gasification processes generally take place at higher temperatures (400–700 °C) and can produce methane or hydrogen gases in high yields.
1,822 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a review summarizes knowledge about the chemical nature of this process from a process design point of view, including reaction mechanisms of hydrolysis, dehydration, decarboxylation, aromatization, and condensation polymerization.
Abstract: Hydrothermal carbonization can be defined as combined dehydration and decarboxy lation of a fuel to raise its carbon content with the aim of achieving a higher calorific value. It is realized by applying elevated temperatures (180–220°C) to biomass in a suspension with water under saturated pressure for several hours. With this conversion process, a lignite-like, easy to handle fuel with well-defined properties can be created from biomass residues, even with high moisture content. Thus it may contribute to a wider application of biomass for energetic purposes. Although hydrothermal carbonization has been known for nearly a century, it has received little attention in current biomass conversion research. This review summarizes knowledge about the chemical nature of this process from a process design point of view. Reaction mechanisms of hydrolysis, dehydration, decarboxylation, aromatization, and condensation polymerization are discussed and evaluated to describe important operational parameters qualitatively. The results are used to derive fundamental process design improvements. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
1,428 citations
TL;DR: The discovery of the Rainbow hydrothermal field hosted in ultramafic rocks south of the Amar segment on the Mid-Atlantic ridge (MAR) was part of the MAST III-AMORES (1995-1998) program funded by the European Union.
733 citations
TL;DR: It is reported that montmorillonite accelerates the spontaneous conversion of fatty acid micelles into vesicles, thus providing a pathway for the prebiotic encapsulation of catalytically active surfaces within membrane vesicle.
Abstract: The clay montmorillonite is known to catalyze the polymerization of RNA from activated ribonucleotides. Here we report that montmorillonite accelerates the spontaneous conversion of fatty acid micelles into vesicles. Clay particles often become encapsulated in these vesicles, thus providing a pathway for the prebiotic encapsulation of catalytically active surfaces within membrane vesicles. In addition, RNA adsorbed to clay can be encapsulated within vesicles. Once formed, such vesicles can grow by incorporating fatty acid supplied as micelles and can divide without dilution of their contents by extrusion through small pores. These processes mediate vesicle replication through cycles of growth and division. The formation, growth, and division of the earliest cells may have occurred in response to similar interactions with mineral particles and inputs of material and energy.
721 citations
TL;DR: This paper presents a probabilistic analysis of the stationary phase replacement of Na6(CO3)(SO4)/ Na2SO4 in horseshoe clusters and shows clear trends in the number of stationary phases and in the stationary phases of Na2CO3.
Abstract: Kepa Ruiz-Mirazo,†,∥ Carlos Briones,‡,∥ and Andreś de la Escosura* †Biophysics Unit (CSIC-UPV/EHU), Leioa, and Department of Logic and Philosophy of Science, University of the Basque Country, Avenida de Tolosa 70, 20080 Donostia−San Sebastiań, Spain ‡Department of Molecular Evolution, Centro de Astrobiología (CSIC−INTA, associated to the NASA Astrobiology Institute), Carretera de Ajalvir, Km 4, 28850 Torrejoń de Ardoz, Madrid, Spain Organic Chemistry Department, Universidad Autońoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
616 citations
References
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Book•
13 Jan 1989
TL;DR: The early transformation of organic matter from organisms to geochemical fossils and Kerogen has been studied in the literature as mentioned in this paper, with a focus on the migration and accumulation of oil and gas.
Abstract: Production and Accumulation of Organic Matter: A Geological Perspective.- Production and Accumulation of Organic Matter The Organic Carbon Cycle.- Evolution of the Biosphere.- Biological Productivity of Modern Aquatic Environments.- Chemical Composition of the Biomass: Bacteria, Phytoplankton, Zooplankton, Higher Plants.- Sedimentary Processes and the Accumulation of Organic Matter.- The Fate of Organic Matter in Sedimentary Basins: Generation of Oil and Gas.- Diagenesis, Catagenesis and Metagenesis of Organic Matter.- Early Transformation of Organic Matter: The Diagenetic Pathway from Organisms to Geochemical Fossils and Kerogen.- Geochemical Fossils and Their Significance in Petroleum Formation.- Kerogen: Composition and Classification.- From Kerogen to Petroleum.- Formation of Gas.- Formation of Petroleum in Relation to Geological Processes. Timing of Oil and Gas Generation.- Coal and its Relation to Oil and Gas.- Oil Shales: A Kerogen-Rich Sediment with Potential Economic Value.- The Migration and Accumulation of Oil and Gas.- An Introduction to Migration and Accumulation of Oil and Gas.- Physicochemical Aspects of Primary Migration.- Geological and Geochemical Aspects of Primary Migration.- Secondary Migration and Accumulation.- Reservoir Rocks and Traps, the Sites of Oil and Gas Pools.- The Composition and Classification of Crude Oils and the Influence of Geological Factors.- Composition of Crude Oils.- Classification of Crude Oils.- Geochemical Fossils in Crude Oils and Sediments as Indicators of Depositional Environment and Geological History.- Geological Control of Petroleum Type.- Petroleum Alteration.- Heavy Oils and Tar Sands.- Oil and Gas Exploration: Application of the Principles of Petroleum Generation and Migration.- Identification of Source Rocks.- Oil and Source Rock Correlation.- Locating Petroleum Prospects: Application of Principle of Petroleum Generation and Migration - Geological Modeling.- Geochemical Modeling: A Quantitative Approach to the Evaluation of Oil and Gas Prospects.- Habitat of Petroleum.- The Distribution of World Oil and Gas Reserves and Geological-Geochemical Implications.
5,819 citations
Book•
15 Oct 1995
TL;DR: The development of petroleum geochemistry and geology carbon and origin of life petroleum and its products how oil forms -natural hydrocarbons how oil form -generated hydrocarbon models petroleum generation the origin of natural gas migration and accumulation abnormal pressures the source rock coals, shales, and other terrestrial source rocks petroleum in the reservoir seeps and surface prospecting a geochemical program for petroleum exploration crude oil correlation prospect evaluation as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: The development of petroleum geochemistry and geology carbon and origin of life petroleum and its products how oil forms - natural hydrocarbons how oil forms - generated hydrocarbons modeling petroleum generation the origin of natural gas migration and accumulation abnormal pressures the source rock coals, shales, and other terrestrial source rocks petroleum in the reservoir seeps and surface prospecting a geochemical program for petroleum exploration crude oil correlation prospect evaluation.
2,916 citations
TL;DR: A preference for n-paraffins with odd numbers of carbon atoms is widespread in Recent sediments as discussed by the authors. But the results of the analysis showed no preference in the heavy n -paraifins for molecules of either odd- or even-carbon number.
1,556 citations
"Lipid synthesis under hydrothermal ..." refers background in this paper
...The homologous lipid series ranged to carbon chain lengths>C30 and showed no carbon number predominance (i.e., carbon preference index≈ 1.0, Bray and Evans, 1961)....
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TL;DR: In this paper, it was shown that conversion of Fe(II) in olivine to Fe(III) in magnetite during serpentinization leads to production of H 2 and conversion of dissolved CO 2 to reduced-C species including methane, ethane, propane, and an amorphous carbonaceous phase.
Abstract: CO 2 reduction processes occurring during experimental serpentinization of olivine at 300 °C and 500 bar confirm that ultramafic rocks can play an important role in the generation of abiogenic hydrocarbon gas. Data reveal that conversion of Fe(II) in olivine to Fe(III) in magnetite during serpentinization leads to production of H 2 and conversion of dissolved CO 2 to reduced-C species including methane, ethane, propane, and an amorphous carbonaceous phase. Hydrocarbon gases generated in the process fit a Schulz-Flory distribution consistent with catalysis by mineral reactants or products. Magnetite is inferred to be the catalyst for methanization during serpentinization, because it has been previously shown to accelerate Fischer-Tropsch synthesis of methane in industrial applications involving mixtures of H 2 and CO 2 . The carbonaceous phase was predominantly aliphatic, but had a significant aromatic component. Although this phase should ultimately be converted to hydrocarbon gases and graphite, if full thermodynamic equilibrium were established, its formation in these experiments indicates that the pathway for reduction of CO 2 during serpentinization processes is complex and involves a series of metastable intermediates.
500 citations
TL;DR: The role of the surface CH/sub 2/ species in the conversion of CO and HO to hydrocarbons is used to evaluate the correctness of the Fischer-Tropsch, Pichler-Schultz, and the Anderson-Emmett schemes as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: The role of the surface CH/sub 2/ species in the conversion of CO and H/sub 2/ to hydrocarbons is used to evaluate the correctness of the Fischer-Tropsch, Pichler-Schultz, and the Anderson-Emmett schemes. CH/sub 2/N/sub 2/ was used to add CH/sub 2/ groups to the cobalt catalyst surface; this resulted in an increased production of higher molecular weight molecules as predicted only by the Fischer-Tropsch scheme. Distributions of /sup 13/C atoms in the propene formed when a mixture of /sup 13/CO, H/sub 2/, and /sup 12/CH/sub 2/N/sub 2/ were passed over the catalyst, also confirmed the Fischer-Tropsch scheme. (DLC)
351 citations