Vibrational Raman optical activity of simple amino acids

The vibrational Raman optical activity (ROA) spectra of the simple amino acids L ‐serine, L ‐cysteine, L ‐valine, L ‐threonine and L ‐isoleucine in aqueous solution between 600 and 1600 cm −1 measured in backscattering are presented and discussed. Complete vibrational assignments are suggested for serine and cysteine and limited assignments for the others. Bands originating in C α *H deformations and the symmetric CO 2 − stretch appear to provide the best signatures for stereochemical studies. The results show that ROA provides a new perspective on amino acid conformation in aqueous solution.