N. Friedmann, S. Miller, R. Sanchez
Mar 12, 1971
Citations
0
Influential Citations
26
Citations
Journal
Science
Abstract
Nicotinonitrile, 2-cyanopyridine, and 4-cyanopyridine can be synthesized under primitive earth conditions by the action of electric discharges on ethylene and ammonia. The electric discharge first synthesizes pyridine and hydrogen cyanide, which react in the discharge to form the cyanopyridines. Nicotinonitrile would have hydrolyzed in the primitive ocean to nicotinamide and nicotinic acid.