Primordial carbonylated iron-sulfur compounds and the synthesis of pyruvate

Experiments exploring the potential catalytic role of iron sulfide at 250 d egrees C and elevated pressures (50, 100, and 200 megapascals) revealed a f acile, pressure-enhanced synthesis of organometallic phases formed through the reaction of alkyl thiols and carbon monoxide with iron sulfide. A suite of organometallic compounds were characterized with ultraviolet-visible an d Raman spectroscopy. The natural synthesis of such compounds is anticipate d in present-day and ancient environments wherever reduced hydrothermal flu ids pass through iron sulfide-containing crust. Here, pyruvic acid was synt hesized in the presence of such organometallic phases. These compounds coul d have provided the prebiotic Earth with critical biochemical functionality .