| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/N37483/01 |
| Title: |
ASYMMETRIC AMPLIFICATION IN AUTOCATALYTIC REACTIONS |
| Principal Investigator: |
Blackmond, Professor DG |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Department: |
Chemistry |
| Organisation: |
University of Hull |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 September 2000 |
Ends: |
31 August 2002 |
Value (£): |
144,698
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Bioprocess Engineering |
Catalysis & Applied Catalysis |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| Chemicals |
Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology |
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| Panel History: |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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The chemistry of life on earth is characterised by the presence of optically active molecules in extremely high enantiomeric excess. The question of the origin of optical activity on earth is naturally raised: what was the original optically active chiral source which directed chemical reactions towards optically active products? Spontaneous asymmetric synthesis via autocatalysis is one process which has been suggested to have played an important role in prebiotic chemistry. The intriguing kinetics that such a system must exhibit are crucial to an understanding of the concept of an autocatalytic reaction. The tools required for experimental kinetic investigations are not widely accessible or in general use in synthetic organic chemistry or in biological research laboratories. We propose to bring powerful in-situ tools including reaction calorimetry and FTIR spectroscopy to acquire the data necessasry to formulate a quantitative mathematical description of the reaction network in an autocatalytic reaction. This quantitative kinetic approach has the potential to contribute to the ongoing discussion about the origin of optical activity on earth, and thus, perhaps also may offer insight about the chemical origin of life.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.hull.ac.uk |