scholarly journals On the use of catalysis to bias reaction pathways in out-of-equilibrium systems

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle P. van der Helm ◽  
Tuanke de Beun ◽  
Rienk Eelkema
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Reaction ◽  
Reaction Network ◽  
Steady States ◽  
Chemical Reaction Network ◽  
Reaction Pathways ◽  
Maximum Conversion ◽  
Equilibrium Chemical Reaction ◽  
Equilibrium Chemical ◽  
Non Equilibrium

We show, via simulations, how catalytic control over individual paths in a fuel-driven non-equilibrium chemical reaction network in batch or flow gives rise to responses in maximum conversion, lifetime and steady states.

Synthesis and Breakdown of the Universal Precursors to Biological Metabolism Promoted by Ferrous Iron

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kamila B. Muchowska ◽  
Sreejith Jayasree VARMA ◽  
Joseph Moran
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Chemical Reaction ◽  
Metabolic Pathways ◽  
Ferrous Iron ◽  
Reaction Network ◽  
Tca Cycle ◽  
Chemical Reaction Network ◽  
Metabolic Precursors ◽  
Tca Cycle Intermediates

How core biological metabolism initiated and why it uses the intermediates, reactions and pathways that it does remains unclear. Life builds its molecules from CO<sub>2 </sub>and breaks them down to CO<sub>2 </sub>again through the intermediacy of just five metabolites that act as the hubs of biochemistry. Here, we describe a purely chemical reaction network promoted by Fe<sup>2+ </sup>in which aqueous pyruvate and glyoxylate, two products of abiotic CO<sub>2 </sub>reduction, build up nine of the eleven TCA cycle intermediates, including all five universal metabolic precursors. The intermediates simultaneously break down to CO<sub>2 </sub>in a life-like regime resembling biological anabolism and catabolism. Introduction of hydroxylamine and Fe<sup>0 </sup>produces four biological amino acids. The network significantly overlaps the TCA/rTCA and glyoxylate cycles and may represent a prebiotic precursor to these core metabolic pathways.

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