Direct evidence for the availability of reactive, water soluble phosphorus on the early Earth. H-Phosphinic acid from the Nantan meteorite

Anoxic irradiation of a type IIICD iron meteorite known to contain the phosphide mineral schreibersite ( Fe, Ni)(3)P in the presence of ethanol/water affords the reactive oxyacid H-phosphinic acid (H(3)PO(2)) as the dominant phosphorus product.