Prebiotic Synthesis of Ethylene Glycol through Formose Reaction in Methanolic Medium

Formose reaction (FR) is very noteworthy in the context of prebiotic chemistry and origin of life. Because, this reaction is known as the basis of non-biological chemical reactions to produce sugars. Also, Alexander Mikhaylovich Butlerow discovered (Russian chemist) the FR in 1861. moreover, in this work, the FR is performed at pH =10.6 in the presence of an Aerosil (fumed silica) catalyst at methanol (the simplest forms of alcohol) solvent. The product observed in this reaction is 1,2-ethanediol (ethylene glycol). The present study shows that the efficiency of ethylene glycol (simplest diol) production by FR is low in methanolic medium.