Polydimethylsiloxane: A General Matrix for High-Performance Chromatographic NMR Spectroscopy

Matrix-Assisted DOSY for Analysis of Indole Alkaloid Mixtures

Diffusion-ordered spectroscopy (DOSY) is a powerful tool for investigating mixtures and identifying peaks of chemical components. However, similar diffusion coefficients of the components, particularly for complex mixtures that contain crowded resonances, limit resolution and restrict application of the DOSY technique. In this paper, matrix-assisted DOSY were used to explore whether the diffusion resolution of a complex model involving indole alkaloid mixtures can be realized. Furthermore, we investigated the influence of different factors on the separation effect. The results showed that the changes in diffusion coefficient differences were achieved more obviously when using sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) micelles as the matrix. In addition, we also found that increasing the concentration of SDS can improve the resolution of the DOSY spectrum. Finally, after investigating the influence factors and NMR conditions, we demonstrated the applications of the SDS-assisted DOSY on analyzing the total alkaloid extract of Alstonia Mairei, and the virtual separation of mixtures was achieved.

Matrix-assisted DOSY

The analysis of mixtures by NMR spectroscopy is challenging. Diffusion-ordered NMR spectroscopy enables a pseudo-separation of species based on differences in their translational diffusion coefficients. Under the right circumstances, this is a powerful technique; however, when molecules diffuse at similar rates separation in the diffusion dimension can be poor. In addition, spectral overlap also limits resolution and can make interpretation challenging. Matrix-assisted diffusion NMR seeks to improve resolution in the diffusion dimension by utilising the differential interaction of components in the mixture with an additive to the solvent. Tuning these matrix-analyte interactions allows the diffusion resolution to be optimised. This review presents the background to matrix-assisted diffusion experiments, surveys the wide range of matrices employed, including chromatographic stationary phases, surfactants and polymers, and demonstrates the current state of the art.

Size-exclusion chromatographic NMR under HR-MAS

The addition of stationary phases or sample modifiers can be used to modify the separation achievable in the diffusion domain of diffusion NMR experiments or provide information on the nature of the analyte-sample modifier interaction. Unfortunately, the addition of insoluble chromatographic stationary phases can lead to line broadening and degradation in spectral resolution, largely because of differences in magnetic susceptibility between the sample and the stationary phase. High-resolution magic angle spinning (HR-MAS) techniques can be used to remove this broadening. Here, we attempt the application of HR-MAS to size-exclusion chromatographic NMR with limited success. Observed diffusion coefficients for polymer molecular weight reference standards are shown to be larger than those obtained on static samples. Further investigation reveals that under HR-MAS it is possible to obtain reasonably accurate estimates of diffusion coefficients, using either full rotor synchronisation or sophisticated pulse sequences. The requirement for restricting the sample to the centre of the MAS rotor to ensure homogeneous magnetic and RF fields is also tested. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.