If you heat up formic acid or oxalic acid in a metal container at a high temperature for a couple of days, it can turn into a bunch of oily, waxy, or fatty substances similar to those found in living things.

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

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Lipid Synthesis Under Hydrothermal Conditions by Fischer- Tropsch-Type Reactions

Computational/Algorithm Study

In Vitro

1999 Mar

Scientists heated formic or oxalic acid in metal pots at 175°C for a few days and got the same complex fatty-like chemicals the claim says should form—so yes, the claim is right.

Contradicting (0)

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No contradicting evidence found

Gold Standard Evidence Needed

According to GRADE and EBM methodology, here is what ideal scientific evidence would look like to definitively prove or disprove this specific claim, ordered from strongest to weakest evidence.

Source Study

Lipid Synthesis Under Hydrothermal Conditions by Fischer- Tropsch-Type Reactions

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DOI: 10.1023/A:1006592502746

Similar Assertions

If you heat up two simple acids—formic acid and oxalic acid—in a hot, pressurized water environment, they both make the same kind of fatty molecules, so either one could work as a starting material to make these lipids.

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