Detailed analytical study of radiolysis products of simple organic compounds as a methodological approach to investigate prebiotic chemistry—Part 2

Aqueous solutions of acetone and ammonia, presumably present on the primordial Earth, were submitted to 60Co gamma irradiation (total dose 800 kGy). Among other products, hexamethylenetetramine (HMT) was detected in appreciable quantity. Since the latter is considered an amino acid precursor and HMT was identified on simulation of cometary ices, a study of its radiation stability was undertaken. Plausible reaction pathways leading to major compounds were proposed, supported by literature data.