Cyanoacetylene in Prebiotic Synthesis

Authors: R. A. Sanchez, J. P. Ferris, L. E. Orgel

Cyanoacetylene is a major nitrogen-containing product of the action of an electric discharge on a mixture of methane and nitrogen. It reacts with simple inorganic substances in aqueous solution to give products including aspartic acid, asparagine, and cytosine.

10.1126/science.154.3750.784