Photosynthetic reactions on the early Earth could have contributed to the origin of life by generating reduced molecules to be used by early cells. In an attempt to understand this important process, artificial cell-like structures were created separately with fluoranthene and 1-pyrenecarboxylic acid, two polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) thought to have been abundant on early Earth to serve as UV absorbers. These PAHs were tested separately for their reduction activity of carbon dioxide (CO2) in an anaerobic chamber, an environment similar to the early atmosphere, with methanol and bicarbonate as electron donor and acceptor. These cell-like structures were exposed to UV light and a decrease in pH was observed, which might signify the reduction CO2/bicarbonate into formic acid or other reduced products. These products were then extracted using solid phase microextraction and were further analyzed using GC-MS to identify any organic products. Better understanding of simple electron transfer reactions and their contributions to the chemical library of early Earth is a step toward the understanding of the origins of life.

Reduction of CO2 on early Earth using UV radiation

2019 Spring National Meeting

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