Two homologous series of alkylpyridines in the Murchison meteorite

Two homologous series of alkylpyridines (C_nH_2n-5N and C_nH_2n-7N) were identified in the methanol extract of the Murchison meteorite by liquid chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry. The wide range of saturated- and unsaturated-alkylated (C₁ to C₂₁) pyridines is more diverse than previously found, and could be produced by reactions of aldehyde condensation and aldehydes with NH₃ by imine formation in Solar or pre-solar environments. This finding implies a high aldehyde activity under alkaline conditions in the presence of ammonia during the chemical evolution of soluble organic matters detected in a CM2-type carbonaceous meteorite.