Thread: autocatalysis and methylamine

K was wondering if this rxn would work:

CH3NH2 + HCN -> (CH3)2N2 +H2

Then using a Cu catalyst at a high pressure:

(CH3)2N2 + 2H2 -> 2CH3NH2

Overall:

HCN + H2 -> CH3NH2

Also, talking about the origin of life, would these materials be present in the early oceans (I'm thinking you might get enough pressure in the deep sea?).

Not sure about the rest but as far as I know, HCN is generally thought to have been common on the early Earth. It's a possible precursor of nucleotides and amino acids.