hexamethylenetetramine (HMT) tagged posts

Key Building Block for Organic Molecules discovered in Meteorites

The symmetric chemical structure of hexamethylenetetramine (HMT, left) and its electrostatic potential (right). (Yasuhiro Oba, et al. Nature Communications. December 7, 2020).

Scientists from Japan and the USA have confirmed the presence in meteorites of a key organic molecule which may have been used to build other organic molecules, including some used by life. The discovery validates theories of the formation of organic compounds in extraterrestrial environments.

The chemistry of life runs on organic compounds, molecules containing carbon and hydrogen, which also may include oxygen, nitrogen and other elements. While commonly associated with life, organic molecules also can be created by non-biological processes and are not necessarily indicators of life...

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