In-situ vibrational optical rotatory dispersion of molecular organic crystals at high pressures

[Display omitted] •High pressure synchrotron source vibrational optical rotary dispersion is possible.•Our method simultaneously collects high-quality polarized FTIR spectra.•The high resolution of the synchrotron is essential for confident measurements. Organic structures respond to pressure with a variety of mechanisms including degradation, intramolecular transformation and intermolecular bonding. The effects of pressure on chiral organic structures are of particular interest because of the potential steric controls on the fate of pressurized molecules. Despite representing a range of opportunities, the simultaneous study of high pressures on different forms of chiral structures is poorly explored. We have combined synchrotron-source vibrational optical rotatory dispersion, micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and the use of a diamond anvil cell to simultaneously monitor the effects of pressure on the two enantiomers of the simple amino acid, alanine.