High frequency discharge experiment. I: Formation of organic compounds from methane and ammonia.

Investigations of the synthesis of organic compounds from methane and ammonia were carried out by using high frequency discharges. The radical of CN was observed in the early phase of the discharge. Therefore it is considered that the CN radical contributes to the successive reaction steps. An important intermediate, a tetramer of hydrogen cyanide was observed to be formed at room temperature. The amounts of this compound progressively increased with time. It was speculated that the purines which were identified in the refluxed sample were synthesized through the above tetramer. Compounds which are thought to be heterocyclic (max:250-265nm) were initially formed in the sample trapped at liquid nitrogen temperature. After hydrolysis with hydrochloric acid, Gly, Asp Ala, etc. were observed in the sample. Overall yield of organic compounds was estimates at 5-6% based on input carbon of methane.