Complex coacervation and compartmentalized conversion of prebiotically relevant metabolites

Metabolism and compartmentalization are two of life's most central elements. Constructing synthetic assemblies based on prebiotically relevant molecules that combine these elements can provide insight into the requirements for formation life-like protocells from abiotic building blocks. In this work, we show a wide variety small anionic metabolites form complex coacervate with oligoarginine (R10) by phase separation. The stability be rationalized molecular structure metabolites, three negative charges carboxylates, or complemented an unsaturated moiety phosphates sulfates is sufficient remain reactive after compartmentalization, protometabolic reactions induce formation. resulting coacervates localize other enhance their conversion. Finally, compartmentalized also alter physicochemical properties ultimately lead to protocell dissolution. These results reveal intricate interplay between (proto)metabolic compartments, excellent candidates metabolically active protocells.