Creating multiple-quantum coherences in solids

Dissipative dynamics of multiple-quantum NMR coherences in two-spin systems

Multiple-quantum (MQ) NMR experiments were performed at a special orientation of a hambergite (Be2BO3OH) single crystal, which consists of alternating zigzag proton chains. At the chosen orientation, one of the dipolar coupling constants in the chain becomes zero and the system becomes a set of well-isolated dipolar coupled spin pairs. The relaxation of the spin pairs in the MQ NMR experiment was studied on the basis of the Lindblad equation. Fermi's golden rule was used to investigate the relaxation mechanism. The agreement of the calculated relaxation time with the experimental value (125 μs) suggests that the dipole-dipole interactions with protons surrounding the pair are responsible for the relaxation of MQ coherences.

Structural Analysis of Hybrid Titania-Based Mesostructured Composites

High-optical-quality titania-based mesostructured films with cubic or 2D-hexagonal symmetry were fabricated by combining trifluoroacetate (TFA)-modified titanium precursors with amphiphilic triblock poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO-PPO-PEO) copolymers. The distribution, dynamics, and local environments of the TFA-modified titania, PEO, and PPO components of the hybrid were investigated. IR/Raman spectroscopy, in situ small-angle X-ray scattering, and transmission electron microscopy studies indicate that TFA coordinates the titanium center and forms a stable complex that is subsequently organized by the block copolymer species into ordered mesostructures. Solid-state NMR (19)F-->(1)H cross-polarization, (13)C{(1)H} two-dimensional heteronuclear correlation, and (1)H relaxation techniques were used to determine that PEO is predominantly incorporated within the TFA-modified titania, and that PPO environments encompass both microphase separated regions and interfacial regions composed of mixed PPO and TFA-modified titania. NMR (19)F multiple-quantum spin counting measurements suggest that -CF(3) groups of the trifluoroacetate ligands do not form clusters but instead randomly distribute within the inorganic component of the hybrid.

Determination of molecular geometry by high-order multiple-quantum evolution in solid-state NMR

The principles of molecular geometry determination by high-quantum heteronuclear local field spectroscopy in solid-state NMR are discussed. The extreme multiple-quantum coherences in a cluster of nuclear spins are allowed to evolve in the presence of heteronuclear through-space couplings to two spins of a different type. The multiple-quantum dephasing curve is independent of the homonuclear spin-spin couplings and may be described in terms of geometric parameters. The triple-quantum version of the experiment is demonstrated by determining the psi torsion angle in a [(15)N(2), (13)C(3)]-labeled sample of the peptide ala-ala-gly. Two regions of torsion angle space fit the experimental data, one in the neighborhood of -152 degrees and one in the neighborhood of +161 degrees. The latter determination is in excellent agreement with the X-ray estimate of +160.5 degrees.