The Chemistry of Biology: Basis and Origin of Evolution

Cover
Half Title
The Chemistry of Biology: Basis and Origin of Evolution
Copyright
Dedication
Preface
Introduction
Contents
1. The Periodic Table of Elements and Basic Consequences for the Structure of Natural Substances and the Course of Biochemical Processes
	1.1 Elements of the Periodic Table
	1.2	Biological Relevant Elements, the Singular Roles of Which can be Derived from Intrinsic Properties within the Periodic System of Elements (PSE)
		1.2.1	Atom Radii
		1.2.2	Ion Radii and Ionization Energies
		1.2.3	Electron Affinity
		1.2.4	Solubility in Water
		1.2.5	Reactivity Towards Oxygen: Oxides, Hydroxides and Oxoacids
		1.2.6	Electronegativity
		1.2.7	Element-Element Single Bonds
		1.2.8	Branching of Chains
		1.2.9	Stoichiometric Valences, Element-Hydrogen Compounds, Molecule Geometries
		1.2.10	Molecule Geometries as an Evolutionary Criterion
		1.2.11	Hydrogen Bonds
		1.2.12	Nucleophilicity
		1.2.13	Oxidation Numbers and Oxygen Compounds
		1.2.14	Ester of Inorganic Acids and Their Evolutionary Potential
2. Extrinsic Properties that Favor the Occurrence of Elements in Biological Context
	2.1	The Frequency of Occurrence of the Element Concerned and Its Distribution on Earth
	2.2	Reactivity Under Earth Conditions
		2.2.1	Reactions with Water and the Electrochemical Voltage Series
		2.2.2	The Role of Oxygen
		2.2.3	Solubility in Water: Oxides, Hydroxides, Salts and Complex Compounds
		2.2.4	Biocatalysis by Enzymes
3. The Derivatization of Inorganic Compounds with Carbon Residues
	3.1	Water, Alcohols and Ethers
	3.2	Ammonia and Amines
	3.3	Carboxylic Acids
4. The Singular Properties of Carbon as the Basis for the Emergence of Life
	4.1	The Redox Chemistry of Carbon
		4.1.1	C–C Bond Formation Reactions
		4.1.2	Dehydrogenation of Alkanes
		4.1.3	Organic Peroxides
		4.1.4	Alcohols
			4.1.4.1 Possibilities of Formation
			4.1.4.2 The Oxidation of Alcohols and the Formation of Carbonyl Compounds
		4.1.5	Carbonyl Compounds—Aldehydes and Ketones
			4.1.5.1 Formation and Properties of the Carbonyl Group
			4.1.5.2 Reactions of Carbonyl Compounds
		4.1.6	Carboxylic Acids
		4.1.7	Carbonic Acid and Derivatives
5. From Chemical Structures and Individual Reactions to Complex Biochemical Networks
6. Determinism, Flexibility, and Contingency in Biochemistry
7. “Synthetic Chemistry” versus Biochemistry
Further Reading