ACS. 2008. 463 p.The concept of evolutionary change is a fundamental thread linking the sciences. An evolutionary perspective can provide one framework for unifying and advancing the sciences, and chemistry has made important contributions to our understanding of evolution. Chemists today use principles of evolution and take lessons from chemistry in nature to advance modern chemistry in areas such as agriculture, energy, new materials, and pharmaceuticals.ContentsIntroduction
The Emergence of Chemical Complexity: An Introduction
Part I: Chemical Evolution in Astrophysics
Chemical Origins: Nuclear Chemistry in the Early Universe
Origin of the Elements: Nucleosynthesis in Stars
Circumstellar Chemistry and Dust from Dead Stars in Meteorites
Chemical Evolution in the Interstellar Medium: Feedstock of Solar Systems
Identifying Molecules in Space: Exploring Astrochemistry through High-Resolution Spectroscopy
Part II: Geochemical Evolution: Solar System and Earth
Chemical Diversity and Abundances across the Solar System
Photochemistry in the Early Solar System
Lessons from Meteorites
Chemistry and Composition of Planetary Atmospheres
Hafnium—Tungsten Chronometry of Planetary Accretion and Differentiation
Part III: Prebiotic Chemistry
Cosmic Carbon Chemistry
Extraterrestrial Organic Chemistry as Recorded in Carbonaceous Chondrites
Earth's Early Atmosphere, Biosphere, Lithosphere, and Hydrosphere
Prebiotic Organic Synthesis in Neutral Planetary Atmospheres
The RNA World Scenario for the Origins of Life
Summary: Systems Chemistry Sketches
Systems Chemistry Sketches
Part IV: Teaching Chemical Evolution
Science and the Concept of Evolution: From the Big Bang to the Origin and Evolution of Life
Online Tools for Understanding Galactic Chemical Evolution
Spectroscopy and the Cosmos: Applications in the Chemical Sciences
Development of Laboratories for Teaching Chemical Principles Using Radio Astronomy
Chemistry of Life: Chemical Evolution as a Theme for Teaching Undergraduate Chemistry
Afterword
Glossary
