Abstract From urea to nucleobases: Freeze–thaw cycles in urea (1) solutions under methane/nitrogen atmospheres lead, with application of an energy source, to the synthesis of pyrimidines (mainly cytosine (2) and uracil (3)), triazines (such as cyanuric acid (4)), and adenine. This synthesis appears to be dependent on the atmosphere and the freezing conditions. At room temperature, hydantoin (5) is obtained. However, a freezing urea/ ...
