Formaldehyde-a key monad of the biomolecular system.

Experiments will be presented and reviewed to support the hypothesis that the intrinsic reactivity of formaldehyde may lead to the formation of a rather comprehensive set of defined biomolecules, including D-glucose, thus fostering concepts of evolution considering the existence of a premetabolic system as a primordial step in the generation of life.

Increasing chiral recognition in acetal formation.

The design of substituted lactols is described, which in their reaction with racemic alkyl aryl carbinols react preferentially with one of the enantiomers exhibiting selectivities up to 14:1.