Alternating co-synthesis of glycol nucleic acid (GNA) monomers with dicarboxylic acids via drying.

We report the co-polymerization of glycol nucleic acid (GNA) monomers with unsubstituted and substituted dicarboxylic acid linkers under plausible early Earth aqueous dry-down conditions. Both linear and branched co-polymers are produced. Mechanistic aspects of the reaction and potential roles of these polymers in prebiotic chemistry are discussed.