HYDROGEN-BONDING IN THE TEMPLATE-DIRECTED OLIGOMERIZATION OF A PYRIMIDINE NUCLEOTIDE ANALOG

We have studied the oligomerization of an activated, achiral nucleotid e analogue related to the pyrimidine barbituric acid in the absence an d in the presence of a complementary, pyrophosphate-linked oligomer. A lthough no template-directed catalysis of the oligomerization was obse rved with water as solvent, catalysis of the oligomerization was demon strated in a mixture of dimethylformamide with water. Poly(U) also sti mulated the oligomerization, but was less effective than the analogue. Environments in which similar effects may be observed, and some poten tial implications for prebiotic chemistry, are discussed.