A supramolecular glass made from a low molecular weight amino acid derivative

[Display omitted] •A nitro-aromatic urea derivative of tyrosine assembles into a novel bio-derived glass.•The molecular transparent glass can be reprocessed via either solution or melt casting.•Supramolecular assembly was assessed via variable-temperature infrared spectroscopy. A low molecular weight tyrosine derivative with self-assembling capabilities has been found to form a robust optically transparent supramolecular glass after casting at 70 °C. The glass films are remarkably stable, remaining transparent over 12 + months as well as in contact with water and can be reprocessed via solvation in a wide range of organic solvents. The solubility, long-term stability and thermo-responsive properties of the bio-derived glass makes it an ideal candidate for use as a window where its reprocessability at easily accessible temperatures are attractive.