Nucleoside phosphorylation by the mineral schreibersite

Phosphorylation of the nucleosides adenosine and uridine by the simple mixing and mild heating of aqueous solutions of the organic compounds with synthetic analogs of the meteoritic mineral schreibersite, (Fe, Ni)(3)P under slightly basic conditions (pH similar to 9) is reported. These results suggest a potential role for meteoritic phosphorus in the origin and development of early life.