Super‐Robust Xanthine–Sodium Complexes on Au(111)

A widely accepted theory is that life originated from the hydrothermal environment in primordial ocean. Nevertheless, low desorption temperature inorganic substrates and fragileness of hydrogen-bonded nucleobases do not support required thermal stability such an environment. Herein, we report super-robust complexes xanthine, one precursors for primitive nucleic acids, with Na. We demonstrate well-defined xanthine–Na can only form when ≥430 K, keep adsorbed even at ≈720 presenting as most thermally stable organic polymer ever reported on Au(111). This work justifies necessity high-temperature, Na-rich prebiotic biosynthesis but also reveals robustness upon harsh Moreover, induce significant electron transfer metal inert Au hence lift atoms up.