Montmorillonite catalyzes RNA formation from activated monomers.  It is formed from volcanic effluent by the action of water.  Montmorillonites have been collected from North America, Europe, Africa and Asia. Na+-montmorillonite catalysis gave mainly 3', 5'-linked phosphodiester bonds.  Studies of the physical chemistry of the clay surfaces have led to a more detailed understanding of the reaction mechanism. Of the 199 montmorillonites studied, there were only 13 �excellent� catalysts and 19 �good �catalysts. The montmorillonite has a negative charge for each substitution of aluminum by magnesium or iron (II). The higher negative charge on the montmorillonite results in greater inhibition of RNA formation. A racemic mixture of D, L-ImpA resulted in 67% homochiral dimers and 39% homochiral trimers.  Dimers from D, L-ImpU were 39% homochiral and 11% homochiral trimers. However, 64% dimers, 76% trimers, 93% tetramers and 97% pentamers from a quaternary mixture of D, L-ImpA and D, L-ImpU were homochiral.

Montmorillonite catalysis of the formation of RNA oligomers

243rd National Meeting (2012)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.