Cryogenic gastronomy at The Restaurant at the End of the Universe – exploring interstellar serine synthesis from α -glycyl radical and other ingredients

Amino acids are essential for Earth-like life and are hypothesised to have originated in interstellar space, potentially being transported to Earth via meteorite impacts. Detecting amino acids in interstellar environments and understanding their formation mechanisms through laboratory experiments are crucial for supporting this hypothesis and unravelling the origins of life. In this study, the formation of serine (NH2CH(CH2OH)COOH) from α-glycyl (NH2C⋅HCOOH) and hydroxymethyl (⋅CH2OH) radicals was investigated using quantum chemical computations. It was found that the anticipated recombination reaction, along with analogous formation pathways of other natural amino acids, is accompanied by competing reactions yielding alternative products, potentially diminishing serine formation. Alternative interstellar formation pathways for serine are proposed, which could be experimentally tested by future laboratory studies.