Peptide bond formation activated by the interplay of Lewis and Brønsted catalysts

The role of Lewis and Brønsted catalysts on the NH3 + HCOOH → NH2CHO + H2O reaction has been studied ab initio using hydrogen fluoride and trifluoroaluminum as model systems of Brønsted and Lewis catalysts, respectively. Both catalysts, either alone or in combination, have been adopted to activate the synthesis of formamide, the simplest model of a peptide bond containing molecule, by reacting formic acid and ammonia. It has been found that the synergy between both catalysts dramatically lowers the activation barrier for the amide bond formation, a fact relevant in the prebiotic synthesis of peptides on the surface of oxidic minerals rich in Lewis/Brønsted sites.