Microwave-assisted reaction of peptide formation by amino acid with phosphate:Exploration of the most possible channels for the origin of life

Microwave-assisted reaction of peptide formation by amino acids with phosphate was studied. The results showed that the products were a mixture of peptides containing dipeptide, oc- tapeptides and cyclic peptides, which could be obtained in a short time. Polyphosphate was also produced synchronously by the intermolecular condensation of phosphate. The polymerization de- gree reached 99% (pyrophosphate 64%, trimetaphosphate 35%) after 2 h at 200℃ under microwave irradiation. The intermediates of the mixed anhydrides formed by the intermolecular condensation of phosphates and glycin were determined by ESI-MS. Peptides were also produced by the reaction of amino acids with trimetaphosphate in aqueous solution. The conversion degree of valine reached 46.5% even at room temperature. The cyclic process of peptide formation and phosphate polymeri- zation, regeneration and utilization in amino acids-phosphate system under microwave irradiation was detected and proved. Peptides could be continually formed only by inputting energy into this system. The above recycle may be the most possible process for primitive peptide formation in the origin of life.