Interplay between composition, structural dynamics and thermodynamic data in amino acid nitrates

A systematic thermodynamic study has been performed for a series of nitrates having cations derived from the α-amino acids glycine (Gly), l -proline (Pro) and l -glutamine (Gln). Combustion and formation enthalpies were for the first time obtained for these amino acid nitrates (AANO 3 ) by using combustion calorimetry. The thermal behavior in the dynamic regime was investigated by DSC measurements. The values of the formation enthalpies for nitrates were compared with those of the corresponding amino acids and discussed in correlation with structural information obtained from spectral data. FTIR and Raman techniques were used to identify functional groups and hydrogen bonds. Large transmittance in the visible region and the band gap energy value obtained from UV–Vis spectra suggest that these materials are suitable for optoelectronic applications. The band gap values are increasing in the order GlyNO 3 < ProNO 3 < GlnNO 3 . Additional polarimetric measurements confirmed the chiral nature of ProNO 3 and GlnNO 3 .