This award from the Synthetic Organic Program will support the research of Dr. James P. Ferris of the Department of Chemistry at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Dr. Ferris will continue his studies on the origin of life by focusing on the nature of prebiotic RNA and how it was synthesized under conditions present on the early Earth. Dr. Ferris will study those factors which are important in clay mineral catalysis with the goal of forming higher molecular weight oligomers. Montmorillonite containing varying amounts of Fe(OH)3 or iron oxide polymorphs will be screened for catalytic properties as will clays containing aluminate, ferric oxide and n-alkyltrimethylammonium pillars. Also, a series of montmorillonites with different exchangeble cations will be prepared, physically characterized and probed for catalytic activity. Studies will continue on the effect of structure of various monomers on oligomer formation.
