Wet−dry cycles at mild alkaline pH drive high-yield spontaneous RNA polymerization from 2′,3′-cyclic nucleotides without added molecules, offering a simple route for RNA formation on early Earth.

Monomers and polymers containing amine-reactive azlactone functionality are useful for the design of a broad range of soft materials. The vinyl monomer 2-vinyl-4,4-dimethylazlactone (VDMA), which can ...