Enthalpies and entropies of fusion of some substituted dipeptides

Enthalpies and temperatures of fusion or transition for four substituted dipeptides (Nacetylamides of glycyl-L-alanine (NAGAA),L-alanyl-L-alanine (NAA₂A),L-prolyl-glycine (NAPGA) andL-leucyl-L-proline monohydrate (NALPA·H₂O)) were determined by differential scanning calorimetry and the entropies of fusion derived. The results obtained have been compared with those of the corresponding substituted aminoacids and some of their racemic crystalline mixtures. The enthalpies and entropies of fusion of some substituted aminoacids have been redetermined. The results are discussed in comparison with crystal structural data, which has been reported in the literature or determined recently by some of the authors. Rationalization of the fusion parameters was attempted mainly on the basis of the number of intramolecular hydrogen bonds and the packing densities in the crystals.This work was carried out with the financial support from the Italian C.N.R. (Rome) and from the Ministry of University and Scientific and Technological Research.