Acid catalysis high-temperature fluids

However, amino acids are unlikely to form themselves into polymers without the help of some form of catalyst (Bada, 2004). Possible natural catalysts are mineral surfaces such as in the regular, repeating structure of clays although once bound to a clay the polymer has to be released. This is achieved in the laboratory with salt solutions and may, in nature, reflect an evaporative marine environment. An alternative venue is at hydrothermal vents where peptide bond formation is favored, and where catalysis may take place on sulfide mineral surfaces (Bada, 2004). Such a process has been described by Holm and Charlou (2001) who found linear saturated hydrocarbons with chain lengths of 16 to 29 carbon atoms in high-temperature hydrothermal fluids from a vent in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. 

Acid Catalysis in High-temperature and Supercritical Fluids... 

---