Autocatalytic reactions may be more common than scientists thought. Image source: US Space Network
A new study by US scientists has found that so-called "autocatalytic" chemical reactions may exist on many planets, which can use a variety of chemical elements other than carbon to create life forms that are completely different from the carbon-based life on Earth. The relevant research paper was published in the latest issue of the Journal of the American Chemical Society.
Life on Earth is based on organic compounds, molecules made of carbon and often elements such as hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur. But scientists have always suspected that the basis of alien life may be based on completely different chemical reactions. For example, some scientists speculate that silicon may also be the basis of life. It's important to explore these possibilities so that we can understand all forms of life, not just life on Earth, said Betu Casa, a UW-Madison astrobiologist and senior author of the study.
Autocatalysis is a chemical interaction that is crucial to life on Earth. An autocatalytic reaction produces molecules that cause the same reaction to happen again, allowing the reaction to continue. In the latest research, scientists aimed to look for autocatalytic reactions outside of organic compounds.
To find these responses, the scientists analyzed scientific documents written in many different languages over more than two centuries. The research team noted that through efficient language search and translation tools, they were able to design and evaluate for the first time the universality of autocatalytic reactions.
Ultimately, they found 270 different autocatalytic reactions, most of which did not use organic compounds and some involving elements that are absent or extremely rare in life on Earth - such as mercury or the radioactive metal thorium. Many autocatalytic reactions may only occur at extremely high or low temperatures or pressures, and the researchers even discovered four autocatalytic reactions involving noble gases.
Casa said that in addition to its impact on the search for life in the universe and understanding the origin of life, the latest research may also have practical applications, such as optimizing chemical synthesis and efficient use of resources and energy.