The HOMO-LUMO Gap as Discriminator of Biotic from Abiotic Chemistries DOI Creative Commons

Roman Abrosimov,

Bernd Moosmann

Life, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(10), P. 1330 - 1330

Published: Oct. 18, 2024

Low-molecular-mass organic chemicals are widely discussed as potential indicators of life in extraterrestrial habitats. However, demarcation lines between biotic and abiotic have been difficult to define. Here, we analyzed the utility quantum chemical property, HOMO-LUMO gap (HLG), a novel proxy variable life, since significant trend towards incrementally smaller HLGs has described genetically encoded amino acids. The HLG is zeroth-order predictor reactivity. Comparing set 134 molecules recovered from meteorites, with 570 microbial plant secondary metabolites thought be exclusively biotic, found that average was significantly narrower (−10.4 ± 0.9 eV versus −12.4 1.6 eV), an effect size g = 1.87. Limitation hydrophilic (XlogP < 2) improved separation compounds (g 2.52). “hydrophilic reactivity” quadrant defined by |HLG| 11.25 XlogP 2 populated 183 6 compounds, 5 which were nucleobases. We conclude small represent valuable activity, discuss evolutionary plausibility this inference.

Language: Английский

The HOMO-LUMO Gap as Discriminator of Biotic from Abiotic Chemistries DOI Creative Commons

Roman Abrosimov,

Bernd Moosmann

Life, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(10), P. 1330 - 1330

Published: Oct. 18, 2024

Low-molecular-mass organic chemicals are widely discussed as potential indicators of life in extraterrestrial habitats. However, demarcation lines between biotic and abiotic have been difficult to define. Here, we analyzed the utility quantum chemical property, HOMO-LUMO gap (HLG), a novel proxy variable life, since significant trend towards incrementally smaller HLGs has described genetically encoded amino acids. The HLG is zeroth-order predictor reactivity. Comparing set 134 molecules recovered from meteorites, with 570 microbial plant secondary metabolites thought be exclusively biotic, found that average was significantly narrower (−10.4 ± 0.9 eV versus −12.4 1.6 eV), an effect size g = 1.87. Limitation hydrophilic (XlogP < 2) improved separation compounds (g 2.52). “hydrophilic reactivity” quadrant defined by |HLG| 11.25 XlogP 2 populated 183 6 compounds, 5 which were nucleobases. We conclude small represent valuable activity, discuss evolutionary plausibility this inference.

Language: Английский

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