Synthesis of biological compounds in quasi-interstellar conditions

Bombardment of a carbon target in high vacuum with two molecular beams (high energy H-2/N-2, 15:85, obtained by charge exchange, and thermal O-2) gives ions which are then dissociated in a collision cell. Mass analysis of the dissociation fragments leads to the identification of organic compounds, some of which are normal constituents of living organisms. The results have been confirmed by D and by C-13 labelling to avoid any accidental contamination and confirm structural determinations. (C) Academie des sciences/Elsevier, Paris.