Prebiotic formation of enantiomeric excess D-amino acids on natural pyrite

Ruiqi Li, Quanzheng Deng, Lu Han, Tianwei Ouyang, Shunai Che () and Yuxi Fang ()
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Ruiqi Li: Tongji University
Quanzheng Deng: Tongji University
Lu Han: Tongji University
Tianwei Ouyang: Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Shunai Che: Tongji University
Yuxi Fang: Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract D-amino acids, found in excess in a minority of organisms and crucial for marine invertebrates, contrast with the more common L-amino acids in most life forms. The local prebiotic origin of D-amino acid enantiomeric excess in natural systems remains an unsolved conundrum. Herein, we demonstrate the formation of enantiomeric excess (ee) D-amino acids through photocatalytic reductive amination of α-keto acids on natural pyrite. Various amino acids with ee values in the range of 14.5–42.4%, are formed. The wavy arrangement of atoms on the surface of pyrite is speculated to lead to the preferential formation of D-amino acids. This work reveals the intrinsic asymmetric photocatalytic activity of pyrite, which could expand understandings on mechanism of asymmetric catalysis and chirality of inorganic crystals. Furthermore, it provides a plausible pathway for the prebiotic formation of D-amino acids, adding further evidence to the origin of D-amino acids enantiomeric excess in natural systems.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-54481-x

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