Some heterocyclic compound formation under hydrothermal conditions: Implications for prebiotic chemistry

Abstract

The hydrothermal system is considered to be one of the most possible environments for the origin of life. Here we report a hydrothermal reaction from phenol and alanine to four important heterocyclic compounds, 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran (1), indoline (2), indole (3) and 2-methyl-1,2,3,4- tetrahydroquinoline (4). This reaction suggests a prebiotic route to synthesize the heterocyclic compounds which could be precursors for the chemical evolution of life. Copyright © by Walter de Gruyter.