Chemical structure and isotopic composition of the most primitive organic matter in the solar system

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 23244108
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Geochemistry/Astrochemistry
• Research Institution: Kyushu University
• Principal Investigator: NARAOKA Hiroshi 九州大学, 理学(系)研究科(研究院), 教授 (20198386)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): HASHIZUME Ko 大阪大学, 大学院理学研究科, 助教 (90252577)
• Research Collaborator: YAMASHITA Yohei 九州大学, 大学院理学研究府・地球惑星科学専攻
• Project Period (FY): 2011-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 太陽系有機物 / 炭素質隕石 / 化学構造 / 同位体組成 / 隕石母天体 / カンラン石 / 含窒素環状化合物

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Many organic compounds such as amino acids and carboxylic acids have been found in carbonaceous chondrites. However, these water-soluble compounds are likely hydrolysable products by chemical oxidation through aqueous alteration on the meteorite parent bodies. Significant amounts of polar compounds soluble in alcohol have not been characterized yet, even though their bulk isotopic compositions are extremely enriched in D and 15N, suggesting the most primitive organic signature. In this study, the polar solvent extracts of carbonaceous chondrites were analyzed by HPLC/ ultrahigh-resolution mass spectrometry to explore the most primitive organic compounds. Various N-containing cyclic compounds with their extensive alkylated homologs were identified in the methanol extract, which could be produced from aldehydes and ammonia in Solar or pre-solar environments.

Free Research Field

有機宇宙地球化学