Polymer stereochemistry: an opportunity and a challenge on Titan

It is suggested here that an alternative strategy for detecting signs of pr ebiotic chemistry on Titan would be to search for stereoregular polymers. L aboratory simulations of Titan's atmosphere suggest several interesting rea ctive vinyl monomers, including acrylonitrile. Polyacrylonitrile and deriva tives made by side chain modification would be very interesting structures that could be envisioned as progenitors of complex chemical systems. The is sues and challenges of considering polymer, rather than small molecule, ste reochemistry as an indicator of prebiotic chemistry on Titan are briefly di scussed.