preprints.org > chemistry and materials science > organic chemistry > doi: 10.20944/preprints201903.0098.v1

Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Version 1 : Received: 7 March 2019 / Approved: 7 March 2019 / Online: 7 March 2019 (13:54:30 CET)

Geochemists disagree whether or not prebiotic chemistry has existed already during the Hadean Eon and whether the then terrestrial atmosphere has been strongly or weakly reduced. Here I argue that cellular life has existed already just after the end of the Hadean Eon and that terrestrial life has survived a number of cataclysms during the Earth's history. I argue that although organic molecules have been detected in meteorites that most organic molecules required for the formation of macromolecules must have been formed on Earth. Finally, I argue that the primitive terrestrial atmosphere during the Hadean Eon has been weakly reduced, so that amino acids and small nucleic acids could have been formed. I suggest that the first self-replicable macromolecules have been similar to viroids.

Prebiotic chemistry, Late Heavy Bombardment, Hadean Eon, carbonaceous chondrites, primitive terrestrial atmosphere, viroids

Chemistry and Materials Science, Organic Chemistry

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