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To: Blood of Tyrants
"Stability of Ribose and Other Sugars "

"It is apparent that ribose cannot be synthesized from formaldehyde by the Butlerow reaction in yields substantially higher than other pentoses and hexoses. Related syntheses may possibly give higher yields of ribose. However, sugars are known to be unstable in aqueous solution, but there are no kinetic data available. We therefore have measured the rate of decomposition of ribose at 60 to 120° and pH's between 4 and 8. The half-life of ribose at 100° and pH 7 is 73 minutes and 34 years at 0°. These results show that ribose is too unstable for prebiotic use unless it is used immediately after its synthesis. The other pentoses and hexoses decompose at a rate approximately proportional to their free aldehyde content. It therefore seems unlikely that sugars could have played a role in the first informational macromolecules." Professor Stanley Miller

319 posted on 03/09/2005 8:11:13 PM PST by jwalsh07
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To: jwalsh07

"It therefore seems unlikely that sugars could have played a role in the first informational macromolecules." Professor Stanley Miller"

AH! The Low Carb craze has been around longer than anybody thought~!


321 posted on 03/09/2005 8:13:05 PM PST by Mongeaux
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