Phenolic ethers in the organic polymer of the Murchison meteorite

Journal Article · Thu Mar 13 23:00:00 EST 1980 · Science; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1126/science.207.4436.1202· OSTI ID:6386853

Hayatsu, R; Winans, R E; Scott, R G; McBeth, R L; Moore, L P; Studier, M H

Seven phenolic acids and many nonphenolic organic acids, including large amounts of meta-hydroxy (3-hydroxy) benzoic acid and 3-hydroxy-1,5-benzene-dicarboxylic acid, were obtained from the organic polymer of the Murchison C2 chondrite upon oxidation with alkaline cupric oxide. The phenolic acids apparently were derived from phenolic ethers in the polymer, which in turn probably were formed from carbon monoxide and hydrogen by catalytic Fischer-Tropsch type reactions in the solar nebula. In contrast, terrestrial polymers such as lignin, humic acid, and coal yield mainly para-hydroxy (4-hydroxy) benzene derivatives by the same oxidation procedure. 1 figure, 1 table.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab., IL
• OSTI ID: 6386853
• Journal Information: Science; (United States), Journal Name: Science; (United States) Vol. 207; ISSN SCIEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400301 -- Organic Chemistry-- Chemical & Physicochemical Properties-- (-1987)
640102* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Stars & Quasi-Stellar
Radio & X-Ray Sources
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
BENZOIC ACID
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON MONOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHONDRITES
COPPER COMPOUNDS
COPPER OXIDES
DICARBOXYLIC ACIDS
ETHERS
FISCHER-TROPSCH SYNTHESIS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROXIDES
METEORITES
MONOCARBOXYLIC ACIDS
NEBULAE
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
OXIDATION
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHENYL ETHER
POLYMERS
SOLAR NEBULA
STONE METEORITES
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS