From the Dawn of Organic Chemistry to Astrobiology: Urea as a Foundational Component in the Origin of Nucleobases and Nucleotides

Abstract

Urea is formed in significant quantities in classic prebiotic model reactions and simply by hydrolysis of cyanide. It is a very interesting molecule, with chemical properties that make it a potential precursor of nucleobases and related molecules, as well as a promoter of phosphorylation. In addition, urea’s physico-chemical properties allow it to form a range of viscous eutectic solutions by simple evaporation or freezing. Thus, urea is the basis of a potential prebiotic environment that forms “little ponds.” This chapter provides a historical perspective on the prebiotic chemistry of urea, from Wohler’s synthesis in the early nineteenth century to the most recent works.