We experimentally and theoretically examined the conformation, pH, and temperature dependence of the CH2 stretching frequencies of glycine (gly) in solution and in the crystalline state. To separate the effects of the amine and carboxyl groups on the CH2 stretching frequencies we examined the Raman spectra of 2,2,2-d(3)-ethylamine (CD3-CH2-NH2) and 3,3,3-d(3)-propionic acid (CD3-CH2-COOH) in D2O. The symmetric (nu sCH2) and asymmetric (nu asCH2) stretching frequencies show a significant dependence on gly conformation. We quantified the relation between the frequency splitting (Delta = nu asCH2 - nu sCH2) and the xi angle which determines the gly conformational geometry. This relation allows us to determine the conformation of gly directly from the Raman spectral frequencies. We observe a large dependence of the nu sCH2 and nu asCH2 frequencies on the ionization state of the amine group, which we demonstrate theoretically results from a negative hyperconjugation between the nitrogen lone pair and the C-H antibonding orbitals. The magnitude of this effect is maximized for C-H bonds trans to the nitrogen lone pair. In contrast, a small dependence of the CH2 stretching frequencies on the carboxyl group ionization state arises from delocalization of electron density from carboxyl oxygen to C-H bonding orbitals. According to our experimental observations and theoretical calculations the temperature dependence of the nu sCH2 and nu asCH2 of gly is due to the change in the hydrogen-bonding strength of the amine/carboxyl groups to water.
