In this work, we present detailed analyses of the dissociation of dilute aqueous solutions of glycine and of lysine over the range 1<pH<12. Using appropriate spectrum subtraction methods, we obtained ATR-IR spectra of the solvated species as a function of pH. Discernible changes in the ionic species were identified in the absorption region between 1800 and 1100 cm(-1). By applying peak deconvolution techniques to the spectra, we correctly interpret the apparent peak shift from 1615 to 1600 cm(-1) as being due to the receding NH3+ asymmetric deformation alongside the appearing COO- asymmetric stretching. The effect of aqueous solution environment was also investigated in terms of 10 and 100 mmol/L NaCl. Salt solution spectra at each pH were also subtracted from each solution phase spectrum. Analysis of the deconvoluted peak areas due to CO and COO- at pH ranges<4.5 and those due to NH2 and NH3+ for pH>8 resulted in consistent pKa values for the amino acids.
Keywords: ATR-IR; Amino acids; Glycine; Lysine; Solution spectroscopy.
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