Materials for the onset. A story of necessity and chance

Abstract

We review the reactions that take place in the HCN/NH2COH/catalysts system. In a vision of origin-oflife as emergence of new properties in complexity, the effectiveness of HCN/NH2COH chemistry is so robust and variegate to look unreasonable. In a logic close to Occamian simplicity, this chemistry embodies necessity. The evolution of the necessary fruits of this chemistry towards organismic level entails Darwinism. The role of chance enters into the process as an answer to evolving environments.