Formation of prebiochemical compounds in models of the primitive Earth's atmosphere

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Formation of prebiochemical compounds in models of the primitive Earth's atmosphere

Raulin, F. / Toupance, G.

Abstract In order to understand the role of sulfur in the primitive atmosphere, we have studied the action of a silent discharge on mixtures of $ CH_{4} $ and $ H_{2} $S at low pressure. The nature of the products formed in the gaseous phase, and the influence of several parameters, especially the $ H_{2} $S percentage, on the yield of the products are reported. The analysis of the products is carried out by gas liquid chromatography and infrared spectrometry. The formation of sulfur-containing compounds, such as thiols and sulfides, is reported. $ CS_{2} $ is formed in high yield (a few percent) in mixtures containing 40–50% of $ H_{2} $S, while the maximum concentration of thiols (i.e., $ CH_{3} $SH and $ C_{2} $$ H_{5} $SH) is reached with lower percentages of $ H_{2} $S. The formation of hydrocarbons decreases rapidly with increasing proportions of $ H_{2} $S. These results show the important inhibitor effect of $ H_{2} $S on the formation of hydrocarbons and the possibility of occurrence of many sulfur compounds in prebiological evolution.