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Uni-directional polymerization leading to homochirality in the RNA world

M. Nilsson·A. Brandenburg·A. C. Andersen·S. Hoefner
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Abstract

The differences between uni-directional and bi-directional polymerization are considered. The uni-directional case is discussed in the framework of the RNA world. Similar to earlier models of this type, where polymerization was assumed to proceed in a bi-directional fashion (presumed to be relevant to peptide nucleic acids), left-handed and right-handed monomers are produced via an autocatalysis from an achiral substrate. The details of the bifurcation from a racemic solution to a homochiral state of either handedness is shown to be remarkably independent of whether the polymerization in uni-directional or bi-directional. Slightly larger differences are seen when dissociation is allowed and the dissociation fragments are being recycled into the achiral substrate.

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M. Nilsson, A. Brandenburg, A. C. Andersen, S. Hoefner. 2005-05-21. Uni-directional polymerization leading to homochirality in the RNA world. https://doi.org/10.1017/s1473550405002752

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