Abstract
Summary Adenosine 5′-phosphoramidates form when solutions containing adenosine 5′-polyphosphates pnA (n ≧ 3) or P1, P2-diadenosine 5′-diphosphate and amines are allowed to dry out. Mg ions catalyze these reactions. We have studied systems containing ammonia, imidazole, glycine, ethylenediamine and histamine. The yields of adenosine 5′-phosphoramidates range from 10–50 % based on the nucleotide. The prebiotic significance of the reactions is discussed.