Two homologous series of alkylpyridines in the Murchison meteorite

Abstract

Two homologous series of alkylpyridines (C n H 2n-5 N and C n H 2n-7 N) were identified in the methanol extract of the Murchison meteorite by liquid chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry. The wide range of saturated- and unsaturated-alkylated (C 1 to C 21) pyridines is more diverse than previously found, and could be produced by reactions of aldehyde condensation and aldehydes with NH 3 by imine formation in Solar or pre-solar environments. This finding implies a high aldehyde activity under alkaline conditions in the presence of ammonia during the chemical evolution of soluble organic matters detected in a CM2-type carbonaceous meteorite.