Formic acid, Miller-Urey experiments

A few facts about the Miller-Urey experiments the now famous original apparatus was modified and improved by Miller himself, and by other groups, in order to improve product yields. In the reaction vessel, temperatures near the reaction zone were between 350 and 370 K, but as high as 870-920 K at the centre of the reaction. Experiments took between several hours and a whole week. The main products (starting with the highest yields) were formic acid, glycine, lactic acid and... 

Morowitz et al. (1995) chose a completely different route. They were able to synthesize glutamic acid from a-ketoglutarate, ammonia and formic acid in an aqueous medium without using enzymes. It is noteworthy that the reducing agent, formic acid, is one of the main products in the Miller-Urey experiment. 

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See also in sourсe #XX -- [ , ]

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