The oligomerization of formaldehyde in the Formose reaction has implicit importance in the study of the origin of life. Ribose, the sugar in RNA is a pentameric oligomer of formaldehyde, but only one among a variety of pentoses and hexoses synthesized in the unselective formose reaction. We use Density Functional Theory (B3LYP//6-311G**) to study the formose reaction in aqueous solution. Specifically, we calculate the solution free energies and activation barriers of a range of intermediates and products formed in the oligomerization reaction. This allows us to identify the low-barrier pathways and the thermodynamic sinks in the reaction. In doing so, we hope to obtain a better understanding of the complex product distribution found in the Formose reaction and elucidate conditions by which certain products may be selected for over others.

Computational study of the Formose reaction in aqueous solution

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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