Multiple-pulse and magic-angle spinning aided double-quantum proton solid-state NMR spectroscopy

Insights into the Structure of Sucralfate by Advanced Solid- and Liquid-State NMR

Sucralfate, which is a sucrose octasulfate aluminum complex, is an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) falling in the category of cytoprotective agents which are very effective for gastric and duodenal ulcers. On interaction with stomach acid, it ionizes into aluminum and sucrose octasulfate ions to form a protective layer over the ulcerated region inhibiting further attack from acid. The mechanism of action of sucralfate in the context of its structure is not well understood. Considering that at least two forms of this API are available in the market, there are no reports on the various forms of sucralfate and differences in their pharmacological action. We characterized the two forms of sucralfate using multinuclear, multidimensional solid-state NMR, and the results show significant structural differences between them arising from variation in the aluminum environment and the level of hydration. The impact of structural differences on pharmacological action was examined by studying acid-induced Al release by 27Al liquid-state NMR. The sucralfate, European pharmaceutical standard, Form I, undergoes faster disruption in acid compared to Form II. The difference is explained on the basis of structural differences in the two forms which gives significant insights into the action of sucralfate in relation to its structure.

A solid-state NMR method for characterization of pharmaceutical eutectics

Pharmaceutical eutectics are extremely useful for designing formulations, and currently, there are no techniques other than differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) that can confirm their formation. In this study, we demonstrate that 1H fast magic angle spinning (MAS) solid-state NMR (SSNMR) experiments can confirm the formation of eutectics by detecting their intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions.

Structural Analyses of Alanine Trimer and Tetramer Crystals with Antiparallel and Parallel β-Sheet Structures Using Solid-State 1H Spin-Diffusion 2D Correlation NMR Spectroscopy

Poly-l-alanine (PLA) sequences are key elements of the crystalline domains of spider dragline and wild silkworm silks. In the present work, ¹H spin-diffusion two-dimensional (2D) correlation NMR spectra were observed for selectively deuterated (Ala)₃ and (Ala)₄ crystals to develop the analytical method for the structure of PLA sequences. The build-up curves of the cross peaks for three kinds of ¹H pairs in selectively deuterated (Ala)₃ and (Ala)₄ crystals were observed to obtain spin-diffusion rate constant k _{j, k} from relaxation master equations P _{i, j}(τ_m). The k _{j, k} values subsequently lead to effective interproton distance r _{j, k}^eff (obs) values for individual proton-proton pairs, which include intra- and intermolecular contributions. The r _{j, k}^eff (obs) values were compared to r _{j, k}^eff (calc) values obtained from the experimentally determined atomic coordinates of antiparallel (AP) β-sheet (Ala)₃ and (Ala)₄ and parallel (P) β-sheet of (Ala)₃ and (Ala)₄ crystals. The agreement between the r _{j, k}^eff (obs) and r _{j, k}^eff (calc) values was good for AP β-sheet (Ala)₃ and (Ala)₄ crystals but poor for P β-sheet (Ala)₃ and (Ala)₄ crystals. These deviations were obtained from the interproton distances of the interchain contributions due to different packing arrangements. The packing arrangements of the PLA region are important when considering the relevant structure and the mechanical properties of silks.

Five decades of homonuclear dipolar decoupling in solid-state NMR: Status and outlook

It has been slightly more than fifty years since the first homonuclear spin decoupling scheme, Lee-Goldburg decoupling, was proposed for removing homonuclear dipolar interactions in solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance. A family of such schemes has made observation of high-resolution NMR spectra of abundant spins possible in various applications in solid state. This review outlines the strategies used in this field and the future prospects of homonuclear spin decoupling in solid-state NMR.

Diazole-based powdered cocrystal featuring a helical hydrogen-bonded network: structure determination from PXRD, solid-state NMR and computer modeling

We present the structure of a new equimolar 1:1 cocrystal formed by 3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole (dmpz) and 4,5-dimethyl-1H-imidazole (dmim), determined by means of powder X-ray diffraction data combined with solid-state NMR that provided insight into topological details of hydrogen bonding connectivities and weak interactions such as CH···π contacts. The use of various 1D/2D (13)C, (15)N and (1)H high-resolution solid-state NMR techniques provided structural insight on local length scales revealing internuclear proximities and relative orientations between the dmim and dmpz molecular building blocks of the studied cocrystal. Molecular modeling and DFT calculations were also employed to generate meaningful structures. DFT refinement was able to decrease the figure of merit R(F(2)) from ~11% (PXRD only) to 5.4%. An attempt was made to rationalize the role of NH···N and CH···π contacts in stabilizing the reported cocrystal. For this purpose four imidazole derivatives with distinct placement of methyl substituents were reacted with dmpz to understand the effect of methylation in blocking or enabling certain intermolecular contacts. Only one imidazole derivative (dmim) was able to incorporate into the dmpz trimeric motif thus resulting in a cocrystal, which contains both hydrophobic (methyl groups) and hydrophilic components that self-assemble to form an atypical 1D network of helicoidal hydrogen bonded pattern, featuring structural similarities with alpha-helix arrangements in proteins. The 1:1 dmpz···dmim compound I is the first example of a cocrystal formed by two different azoles.

Heteronuclear proton double quantum-carbon single quantum scalar correlation in solids

A new NMR experiment that exploits the advantages of proton double quantum (DQ) NMR through a proton DQ-carbon single quantum (SQ) correlation experiment in the solid state is proposed. Analogous to the previously proposed 2D (1)H (DQ)-(13)C refocused INEPT experiment (Webber et al., 2010), the correlation between (1)H and (13)C is achieved through scalar coupling evolution, while the double quantum coherence among protons is generated through dipolar couplings. However, the new experiment relies on (13)C transverse coherence for scalar transfer. The new experiment dubbed MAS-J-(1)H (DQ)-(13)C-HMQC, is particularly suited for unlabeled molecules and can provide higher sensitivity than its INEPT counterpart. The experiment is applied to four different samples.

High-resolution proton CRAMPS NMR using narrowband analog filters and postponed data acquisition

Proton linewidths decrease with increasing magic-angle spinning (MAS) rates. However, without spin dilution by deuteration, even with the fastest MAS rates available today, the narrowest proton linewidths are obtained by using the combined rotation and multiple pulse spectroscopy (CRAMPS) method. Direct observation under windowed CRAMPS typically introduces several tens of times more noise, partly because wideband analog filters (e.g. 5 MHz) must be used or sometimes even bypassed. Here we report that it is possible to keep using narrowband analog filters (about 50 kHz cutoff frequency) in CRAMPS by taking advantage of the time delay caused by the filters, which is inversely proportional to the cutoff frequency. This delay coincides with typical CRAMPS cycle times, enabling acquisition of the data point in the next detection window. The noise of such CRAMPS spectra is only about 5 times larger than MAS-only spectra. This new method allows CRAMPS to be performed on systems that lack wideline hardware (wideband filters and fast ADCs), for example, older spectrometers originally intended for solution NMR.

Selective measurements of long-range homonuclear J-couplings in solid-state NMR

We demonstrate here that the principle of frequency-selective spin-echoes can be extended to the measurements of long-range homonuclear scalar J-couplings in the solid-state. Singly or doubly frequency-selective pulses were used to generate either a J-modulated experiment (S) or a reference experiment (S0). The combination of these two distinct experiments provides experimental data that, in favorable cases, are insensitive to incoherent relaxation effects, and which can be used to estimate long-range homonuclear J-couplings in multiple spin-systems. The concept is illustrated in the case of a uniformly (13)C and (15)N labeled sample of L-histidine, where the absolute value of homonuclear J-couplings between two spins separated by one, two or three covalent bonds are measured. Moreover, we show that a (2)J((15)N-C-(15)N) coupling as small as 0.9 Hz can be precisely measured with the method presented here.

Exploring Chromophore-Binding Pocket: High-Resolution Solid-State H-C Interfacial Correlation NMR Spectra with Windowed PMLG Scheme

High-resolution two-dimensional (2D) (1)H-(13)C heteronuclear correlation spectra are recorded for selective observation of interfacial 3-5.5 Å contacts of the uniformly (13)C-labeled phycocyanobilin (PCB) chromophore with its unlabeled binding pocket. The experiment is based on a medium- and long-distance heteronuclear correlation (MELODI-HETCOR) method. For improving (1)H spectral resolution, a windowed phase-modulated Lee-Goldburg (wPMLG) decoupling scheme is applied during the t(1) evolution period. Our approach allows for identification of chromophore-protein interactions, in particular for elucidation of the hydrogen-bonding networks and charge distributions within the chromophore-binding pocket. The resulting pulse sequence is tested on the cyanobacterial (Cph1) phytochrome sensory module (residues 1-514, Cph1Δ2) containing uniformly (13)C- and (15)N-labeled PCB chromophore (u-[(13)C,(15)N]-PCB-Cph1Δ2) at 17.6 T.

Applications of high-resolution 1H solid-state NMR

This article reviews the large increase in applications of high-resolution (1)H magic-angle spinning (MAS) solid-state NMR, in particular two-dimensional heteronuclear and homonuclear (double-quantum and spin-diffusion NOESY-like exchange) experiments, in the last five years. These applications benefit from faster MAS frequencies (up to 80 kHz), higher magnetic fields (up to 1 GHz) and pulse sequence developments (e.g., homonuclear decoupling sequences applicable under moderate and fast MAS). (1)H solid-state NMR techniques are shown to provide unique structural insight for a diverse range of systems including pharmaceuticals, self-assembled supramolecular structures and silica-based inorganic-organic materials, such as microporous and mesoporous materials and heterogeneous organometallic catalysts, for which single-crystal diffraction structures cannot be obtained. The power of NMR crystallography approaches that combine experiment with first-principles calculations of NMR parameters (notably using the GIPAW approach) are demonstrated, e.g., to yield quantitative insight into hydrogen-bonding and aromatic CH-π interactions, as well as to generate trial three-dimensional packing arrangements. It is shown how temperature-dependent changes in the (1)H chemical shift, linewidth and DQ-filtered signal intensity can be analysed to determine the thermodynamics and kinetics of molecular level processes, such as the making and breaking of hydrogen bonds, with particular application to proton-conducting materials. Other applications to polymers and biopolymers, inorganic compounds and bioinorganic systems, paramagnetic compounds and proteins are presented. The potential of new technological advances such as DNP methods and new microcoil designs is described.

Identifying guanosine self assembly at natural isotopic abundance by high-resolution 1H and 13C solid-state NMR spectroscopy

By means of the (1)H chemical shifts and the proton-proton proximities as identified in (1)H double-quantum (DQ) combined rotation and multiple-pulse spectroscopy (CRAMPS) solid-state NMR correlation spectra, ribbon-like and quartet-like self-assembly can be identified for guanosine derivatives without isotopic labeling for which it was not possible to obtain single crystals suitable for diffraction. Specifically, characteristic spectral fingerprints are observed for dG(C10)(2) and dG(C3)(2) derivatives, for which quartet-like and ribbon-like self-assembly has been unambiguously identified by (15)N refocused INADEQUATE spectra in a previous study of (15)N-labeled derivatives (Pham, T. N.; et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc.2005, 127, 16018). The NH (1)H chemical shift is observed to be higher (13-15 ppm) for ribbon-like self-assembly as compared to 10-11 ppm for a quartet-like arrangement, corresponding to a change from NH···N to NH···O intermolecular hydrogen bonding. The order of the two NH(2)(1)H chemical shifts is also inverted, with the NH(2) proton closest in space to the NH proton having a higher or lower (1)H chemical shift than that of the other NH(2) proton for ribbon-like as opposed to quartet-like self-assembly. For the dG(C3)(2) derivative for which a single-crystal diffraction structure is available, the distinct resonances and DQ peaks are assigned by means of gauge-including projector-augmented wave (GIPAW) chemical shift calculations. In addition, (14)N-(1)H correlation spectra obtained at 850 MHz under fast (60 kHz) magic-angle spinning (MAS) confirm the assignment of the NH and NH(2) chemical shifts for the dG(C3)(2) derivative and allow longer range through-space N···H proximities to be identified, notably to the N7 nitrogens on the opposite hydrogen-bonding face.

Computation and NMR crystallography of terbutaline sulfate

This article addresses, by means of computation and advanced experiments, one of the key challenges of NMR crystallography, namely the assignment of individual resonances to specific sites in a crystal structure. Moreover, it shows how NMR can be used for crystal structure validation. The case examined is form B of terbutaline sulfate. CPMAS (13)C and fast MAS (1)H spectra have been recorded and the peaks assigned as far as possible. Comparison of (13)C chemical shifts computed using the CASTEP program (incorporating the Gauge Including Projector Augmented Wave principle) with those obtained experimentally enable the accuracy of the two distinct single-crystal evaluations of the structure to be compared and an error in one of these is located. The computations have substantially aided in the assignments of both (13)C and (1)H resonances, as has a series of two-dimensional (2D) spectra (HETCOR, DQ-CRAMPS and proton-proton spin diffusion). The 2D spectra have enabled many of the proton chemical shifts to be pinpointed. The relationships of the NMR shifts to the specific nuclear sites in the crystal structure have therefore been established for most (13)C peaks and for some (1)H signals. Emphasis is placed on the effects of hydrogen bonding on the proton chemical shifts.

Complete (1)H resonance assignment of beta-maltose from (1)H-(1)H DQ-SQ CRAMPS and (1)H (DQ-DUMBO)-(13)C SQ refocused INEPT 2D solid-state NMR spectra and first principles GIPAW calculations

A disaccharide is a challenging case for high-resolution (1)H solid-state NMR because of the 24 distinct protons (14 aliphatic and 10 OH) having (1)H chemical shifts that all fall within a narrow range of approximately 3 to 7 ppm. High-resolution (1)H (500 MHz) double-quantum (DQ) combined rotation and multiple pulse sequence (CRAMPS) solid-state NMR spectra of beta-maltose monohydrate are presented. (1)H-(1)H DQ-SQ CRAMPS spectra are presented together with (1)H (DQ)-(13)C correlation spectra obtained with a new pulse sequence that correlates a high-resolution (1)H DQ dimension with a (13)C single quantum (SQ) dimension using the refocused INEPT pulse-sequence element to transfer magnetization via one-bond (13)C-(1)H J couplings. Compared to the observation of only a single broad peak in a (1)H DQ spectrum recorded at 30 kHz magic-angle spinning (MAS), the use of DUMBO (1)H homonuclear decoupling in the (1)H DQ CRAMPS experiment allows the resolution of distinct DQ correlation peaks which, in combination with first-principles chemical shift calculations based on the GIPAW (Gauge Including Projector Augmented Waves) plane-wave pseudopotential approach, enables the assignment of the (1)H resonances to the 24 distinct protons. We believe this to be the first experimental solid-state NMR determination of the hydroxyl OH (1)H chemical shifts for a simple sugar. Variable-temperature (1)H-(1)H DQ CRAMPS spectra reveal small increases in the (1)H chemical shifts of the OH resonances upon decreasing the temperature from 348 K to 248 K.

Indirect detection via spin-1/2 nuclei in solid state NMR spectroscopy: application to the observation of proximities between protons and quadrupolar nuclei

We present a comprehensive comparison of through-space heteronuclear correlation techniques for solid state NMR, combining indirect detection and single-channel recoupling method. These techniques, named D-HMQC and D-HSQC, do not suffer from dipolar truncation and can be employed to correlate quadrupolar nuclei with spin-1/2 nuclei. The heteronuclear dipolar couplings are restored under magic-angle spinning by applying supercycled symmetry-based pulse sequences (SR412) or simultaneous frequency and amplitude modulation (SFAM). The average Hamiltonian theory (AHT) of these recoupling methods is developed. These results are applied to analyze the performances of D-HMQC and D-HSQC sequences. It is shown that, whatever the magnitude of spin interations, D-HMQC experiment offers larger efficiency and higher robustness than D-HSQC. Furthermore, the spectral resolution in both dimensions of proton detected two-dimensional D-HMQC and D-HSQC spectra can be enhanced by applying recently introduced symmetry-based homonuclear dipolar decoupling schemes that cause a z-rotation of the spins. This is demonstrated by 1H-13C and 1H-23Na correlation experiments on l-histidine and NaH2PO4, respectively. The two-dimensional heteronuclear 1H-23Na correlation spectrum yields the assignment of 23Na resonances of NaH2PO4. This assignment is corroborated by first-principles calculations.

High-resolution 1H homonuclear dipolar recoupling NMR spectra of biological solids at MAS rates up to 67 kHz

Two-dimensional (1)H homonuclear correlation NMR spectra of solids of biological interest have been recorded at high magnetic fields (14.1 and 18.8 T) and MAS rates up to 67 kHz, using RN(n)(nu) symmetry-based homonuclear recoupling and CRAMPS decoupling; this method affords exceptional spectral resolution and is well suited to probe (1)H-(1)H proximities in powdered solids.

Determining relative proton-proton proximities from the build-up of two-dimensional correlation peaks in 1H double-quantum MAS NMR: insight from multi-spin density-matrix simulations

The build-up of intensity-as a function of the number, n(rcpl), of POST-C7 elements used for the excitation and reconversion of double-quantum (DQ) coherence (DQC)-is analysed for the fifteen distinct DQ correlation peaks that are observed experimentally for the eight separate (1)H resonances in a (1)H (500 MHz) DQ CRAMPS solid-state (12.5 kHz MAS) NMR spectrum of the dipeptide beta-AspAla (S. P. Brown, A. Lesage, B. Elena, and L. Emsley, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2004, 126, 13230). The simulation in SPINEVOLUTION (M. Veshtort and R. G. Griffin, J. Magn. Reson., 2006, 178, 248) of t(1) ((1)H DQ evolution) FIDs for clusters of eight dipolar-coupled protons gives separate simulated (1)H DQ build-up curves for the CH(2)(a), CH(2)(b), CH(Asp), CH(Ala), NH and OH (1)H single-quantum (SQ) (1)H resonances. An analysis of both the simulated and experimental (1)H DQ build-up leads to the following general observations: (i) considering the build-up of (1)H DQ peaks at a particular SQ frequency, maximum intensity is observed for the DQC corresponding to the shortest H-H distance; (ii) for the maximum intensity (1)H DQ peak at a particular SQ frequency, the recoupling time for the observed maximum intensity depends on the corresponding H-H distance, e.g., maximum intensity for the CH(2)(a)-CH(2)(b) (H-H distance = 1.55 A) and OH-CH(Asp) (H-H distance = 2.49 A) DQ peaks is observed at n(rcpl) = 2 and 3, respectively; (iii) for DQ peaks involving a CH(2) proton at a non-CH(2) SQ frequency, there is much reduced intensity and a maximum intensity at a short recoupling time; (iv) for the other lower intensity (1)H DQ peaks at a particular SQ frequency, maximum intensity is observed for the same (or close to the same) recoupling time, but the relative intensity of the DQ peaks is a reliable indicator of the relative H-H distance-the ratio of the maximum intensities for the peaks at the CH(Ala) SQ frequency due to the two DQCs with the NH and OH protons are found to be approximately in the ratio of the squares of the corresponding dipolar coupling constants. While the simulated (1)H DQ build-up curves reproduce most of the features of the experimental curves, maximum intensity is often observed at a longer recoupling time in simulations. In this respect, simulations for two to eight spins show a trend towards a faster decay for an increasing number of considered spins. Finally, simulations show that increasing either the Larmor frequency (to 1 GHz) or the MAS frequency (to 125 kHz) does not lead to changes in the marked differences between the (1)H DQ build-up curves at the CH(Asp) SQ frequency for DQCs to the CH(2)(a) and OH protons that correspond to similar H-H distances (2.39 A and 2.49 A, respectively).

Robust and efficient spin-locked symmetry-based double-quantum homonuclear dipolar recoupling for probing (1)H-(1)H proximity in the solid-state

We report a novel symmetry-based method, using inversion elements bracketed by spin locks, for exciting double-quantum (DQ) coherences between spin-1/2 nuclei, such as protons. Compared to previous DQ-recoupling techniques, this new pulse sequence requires moderate rf field, even at ultra-fast MAS speeds. Furthermore, it is easy to implement and it displays higher robustness to both chemical shift anisotropy and to spreads in resonance frequencies. These advances greatly facilitate the observation of (1)H-(1)H proximities at high fields and high MAS frequencies.

Supercycled homonuclear dipolar decoupling sequences in solid-state NMR

We compare the performance of the windowed phase-modulated Lee-Goldburg (wPMLG) and the windowed decoupling using mind boggling optimisation (wDUMBO) sequences at various magic-angle spinning rates and nutation frequencies of the pulses. Additionally, we introduce a supercycled version of wDUMBO and compare its efficiency with that of the non-supercycled implementation of wDUMBO. The efficiency of the supercycled version of wPMLG, denoted wPMLG-S2, is compared with a new supercycled version of wPMLG that we notate as wPMLG-S3. The interaction between the supercycled homonuclear dipolar decoupling sequences and the sample rotation is analysed using symmetry-based selection rules.

Powder NMR crystallography of thymol

A protocol for the structure determination of powdered solids at natural abundance by NMR is presented and illustrated for the case of the small drug molecule thymol. The procedure uses proton spin-diffusion data from two-dimensional NMR experiments in combination with periodic DFT refinements incorporating (1)H and (13)C NMR chemical shifts. For thymol, the method yields a crystal structure for the powdered sample, which differs by an atomic root-mean-square-deviation (all atoms except methyl group protons) of only 0.07 A from the single crystal X-ray diffraction structure with DFT-optimized proton positions.

High-resolution solid-state NMR spectroscopy of protons with homonuclear dipolar decoupling schemes under magic-angle spinning

High-resolution NMR spectroscopy of (1)H spins in the solid state is normally rendered difficult due to the strong homonuclear (1)H-(1)H dipolar couplings. Even under very high-speed magic-angle spinning (MAS) at ca. 60-70kHz, these couplings are not completely removed. An appropriate radiofrequency pulse scheme is required to average out the homonuclear dipolar interactions in combination with MAS to get high-resolution (1)H NMR spectrum in solid state. Several schemes have been introduced in the recent past with a variety of applications also envisaged. Development of some of these schemes has been made possible with a clear understanding of the underlying spin physics based on bimodal Floquet theory. The utility of these high-resolution pulse schemes in combination with MAS has been demonstrated for spinning speeds of 10-65kHz in a range of (1)H Larmor frequencies from 300 to 800MHz.

1H-1H double-quantum CRAMPS NMR at very-fast MAS (nuR=35 kHz): a resolution enhancement method to probe 1H-1H proximities in solids

A High-resolution two-dimensional (2D) (1)H double-quantum (DQ) homonuclear recoupling experiments, combined with smooth amplitude-modulation (SAM) homonuclear decoupling is presented. The experiment affords highly resolved and clean (1)H DQ-SQ 2D spectra at very-fast MAS rates (nu(R)=35 kHz). The method is well suited to probe (1)H-(1)H distances in powdered solids and demonstrations are applied on a NaH(2)PO(4) powdered sample, an inorganic compound having hydrogen bonding networks.

High-resolution 14N-edited 1H-13C correlation NMR experiment to study biological solids

It was recently shown that nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of nitrogen-14 (spin I=1) can be obtained by indirect detection via spin S=1/2 nuclei in powders spinning at the magic angle. An increased number of solid-state NMR methods are now available to tailor sequences for specific purposes, e.g., hetero-nuclear dipolar recoupling or homo-nuclear dipolar decoupling schemes. Here, we combine the latest recoupling and decoupling techniques to obtain high-resolution (1)H-(13)C through-space correlation spectra, where only the correlation peaks of those carbons close to nitrogen nuclei are observed. The experiment is demonstrated on a (13)C enriched l-histidine. HCl x H(2)O powder sample.

Practical aspects of Lee-Goldburg based CRAMPS techniques for high-resolution 1H NMR spectroscopy in solids: implementation and applications

Elucidating the local environment of the hydrogen atoms is an important problem in materials science. Because (1)H spectra in solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) suffer from low resolution due to homogeneous broadening, even under magic-angle spinning (MAS), information of chemical interest may only be obtained using certain high-resolution (1)H MAS techniques. (1)H Lee-Goldburg (LG) CRAMPS (Combined Rotation And Multiple-Pulse Spectroscopy) methods are particularly well suited for studying inorganic-organic hybrid materials, rich in (1)H nuclei. However, setting up CRAMPS experiments is time-consuming and not entirely trivial, facts that have discouraged their widespread use by materials scientists. To change this status quo, here we describe and discuss some important aspects of the experimental implementation of CRAMPS techniques based on LG decoupling schemes, such as FSLG (Frequency Switched), and windowed and windowless PMLG (Phase Modulated). In particular, we discuss the influence on the quality of the (1)H NMR spectra of the different parameters at play, for example LG (Lee-Goldburg) pulses, radio-frequency (rf) phase, frequency switching, and pulse imperfections, using glycine and adamantane as model compounds. The efficiency and robustness of the different LG-decoupling schemes is then illustrated on the following materials: organo-phosphorus ligand, N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid [H(4)pmida] [I], and inorganic-organic hybrid materials (C(4)H(12)N(2))[Ge(2)(pmida)(2)OH(2)] x 4H(2)O [II] and (C(2)H(5)NH(3))[Ti(H(1.5)PO(4))(PO(4))](2) x H(2)O [III].

Insights into homonuclear decoupling from efficient numerical simulation: techniques and examples

A combination of techniques, including rational number synchronisation and pre-diagonalisation of the time-dependent periodic Hamiltonian, are described which allow the efficient simulation of NMR experiments involving both magic-angle spinning (MAS) and RF irradiation, particularly in the important special case of phase-modulated decoupling sequences. Chebyshev and conventional diagonalisation approaches to calculating propagators under MAS are also compared, with Chebyshev methods offering significant advantages in cases where the Hamiltonian is large and time-dependent but not block-diagonal (as is the case for problems involving combined MAS and RF). The ability to simulate extended coupled spin systems efficiently allows 1H spectra under homonuclear decoupling to be calculated directly and compared to experimental results. Reasonable agreement is found for the conditions under which homonuclear decoupling is typically applied for rigid solids (although the increasing deviation of experimental results from the predictions of theory and simulation at higher RF powers is still unexplained). Numerical simulations are used to explore three features of these experiments: the interaction between the magic-angle spinning and RF decoupling, the effects of tilt pulses in acquisition windows and the effects of "phase propagation delays" on tilted axis precession. In each case, the results reveal features that are not readily anticipated by previous analytical studies and shed light on previous empirical observations.

Structure of Molecular Tweezer Complexes in the Solid State: NMR Experiments, X-ray Investigations, and Quantum Chemical Calculations

The structure of supramolecular complexes formed by a naphthalene-spaced tweezer molecule as host and 1,4-dicyanobenzene (DCNB), 1,2,4,5-tetracyanobenzene (TCNB), and 7,7,8,8-tetracyano-p-quinodimethane (TCNQ) as aromatic, electron-deficient guests is investigated by solid-state NMR and X-ray diffraction measurements. Quantum chemical calculations using linear scaling methods are applied to predict and to assign the 1H NMR chemical shifts of the complexes. By combining experiment and theory, insights into intra- and intermolecular effects influencing the proton chemical shifts of the host-guest system are provided in the solid state.

Well-Defined Surface Imido Amido Tantalum(V) Species from Ammonia and Silica-Supported Tantalum Hydrides

The MCM-41 supported hydrides [([triple bond]SiO)(2)TaH(3)], 1a, and [([triple bond]SiO)(2)TaH(3)], 1b, cleave N-H bonds of ammonia at room temperature to yield the well-defined imido amido surface complexes [([triple bond]SiO)(2)Ta(NH)(NH(2))], 2, and 2xNH(3). Additionally, the surface silanes [[triple bond]Si-H] that exist in close proximity to 1a and 1b also react with ammonia at room temperature to give the surface silylamido [Si-NH(2)]. Such reaction is tantalum assisted: surface silanes were synthesized independently and in absence of tantalum by reaction of highly strained silica, SiO(2-1000), with SiH(4) and no reaction with ammonia was observed. Surface-supported complexes 2, 2xNH(3), and [[triple bond]Si-NH(2)] have been characterized by, inter alia, solid-state NMR, IR, and EXAFS and independent synthesis of [[triple bond]Si-NH(2)]. The NMR studies on the fully 15N-labeled samples have led to unambiguous discrimination between imido, amido, and amino resonances of 2*, 2*x(15)NH(3), and [[triple bond]Si-15NH(2)] through the combination of solid-state magic angle spinning (MAS), heteronuclear correlation (HETCOR), 2D proton double-quantum (DQ) single-quantum (SQ) correlation, and 2D proton triple-quantum (TQ) single-quantum (SQ) correlation spectra. The in situ IR monitoring of the reaction of 1a and 1b with regular NH(3) and 15NH(3), and after H/D exchange has yielded the determination of all the NH(x) vibration and deformation modes, with their respective H/D and 14N/15N isotopic shifts. EXAFS study yielded the bond distances in 2 of 1.79(2) Angstrom for Ta=N, 1.89(1) Angstrom for Ta-O, and 1.98(2) Angstrom for Ta-N.

Proton line narrowing in solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance: New insights from windowed phase-modulated Lee-Goldburg sequence

We present here a bimodal Floquet analysis of the windowed phase-modulated Lee-Goldburg (wPMLG) sequence for homonuclear dipolar decoupling. One of the main criteria for an efficient homonuclear dipolar decoupling scheme is an effective z-rotation condition. This is brought about by the presence of radio-frequency imperfections in the pulse sequence together with a systematic manipulation of the wPMLG pulses. Additional improvement in the (1)H spectral resolution was obtained by a proper understanding of the off-resonance dependence of the wPMLG irradiation scheme based on bimodal Floquet theory. Numerical investigations further corroborate both theoretical and experimental findings. Theoretical analysis points to accidental degeneracies between the cycle time of the wPMLG sequence and the rotor period leading to the experimentally observed off-resonance dependence of the resolution. Two-dimensional (1)H-(1)H homonuclear single-quantum correlation spectra of model amino acids are also presented, highlighting the improved spectral resolution of wPMLG sequences.

Molecular Structure Determination in Powders by NMR Crystallography from Proton Spin Diffusion

The inability to determine molecular structures from powdered samples is a key barrier to progress in many areas of molecular and materials science. We report an approach to structure determination that combines molecular modeling with experimental spin diffusion data obtained from the high-resolution solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance of protons, and which allows the determination of the three-dimensional structure of an organic compound, in powder form and at natural isotopic abundance.

Assigning powders to crystal structures by high-resolution (1)H-(1)H double quantum and (1)H-(13)C J-INEPT solid-state NMR spectroscopy and first principles computation. A case study of penicillin G

We show how powder samples at natural isotopic abundance can be assigned to crystal structures by using high-resolution proton and carbon-13 solid-state NMR spectra in combination with first principles calculations. Homonuclear proton double-quantum spectra in combination with through-bond proton-carbon HSQC spectra are used to assign the NMR spectra. We then show that the proton chemical shifts can be included in the process of assigning the spectra to a crystal structure using first principles calculations. The method is demonstrated on the K salt of penicillin G.

Multiplex MQMAS NMR of quadrupolar nuclei

A multiplex phase cycling method (N. Ivchenko et al., J. Magn. Reson. 160 (2003) 52-58) has been used to record two-dimensional MQMAS spectra with a very short phase cycling. A straightforward procedure has been developed to easily process the data. Combining this Multiplex approach and the new Soft-Pulse-Adding-Mixing (SPAM) method considerably increases the signal-to-noise ratio of the conventional MQMAS experiment. The Multiplex acquisition procedure is much simpler than the echo/anti-echo method recently proposed, and has been applied with success to record (87)Rb spectra of RbNO(3) and (27)Al 3Q and 5Q MQMAS NMR of microporous aluminophosphate AlPO(4)-14.

Powder Crystallography by Proton Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy

The investigation of 1H-1H spin-diffusion build-up curves using a rate matrix analysis approach shows that high-resolution magic angle spinning NMR of protons, applied to powdered organic compounds, provides a method to probe crystalline arrangements. The comparison between experimental 1H data and simulation is shown to depend strongly on the parameters of the crystal structure, for example on the unit cell parameters or the orientation of the molecule in the unit cell, and those parameters are experimentally determined for a model organic compound.

2H Chemical-shift resolution and dipolar2H-1H,2H-15N correlations in solid-state MAS NMR spectroscopy for structure determination and distance measurements in hydrogen-bonded systems

In solid-state NMR, deuteron (2H) spectroscopy can be performed in full analogy to1H spectroscopy, including2H chemical-shift resolution and2H-X dipolar correlation schemes, when the NMR experiments are conducted in a “rotor-synchronized” fashion under fast magic-angle spinning. Here, 2H-X NMR experiments of this type, including2H-15N and2H-1H chemical-shift correlations and distance measurements, are introduced and demonstrated on cytosine monohydrate, whose acidic protons can readily be replaced by deuterons by recrystallization from D2O. In this way,2H NMR spectroscopy provides information complementary to1H NMR data, which is particularly useful for studying hydrogen bonds in supra- or biomolecular systems.

Probing proton-proton proximities in the solid state: high-resolution two-dimensional 1H-1H double-quantum CRAMPS NMR spectroscopy

A new 1H DQ (double-quantum) CRAMPS (combined rotation and multiple-pulse sequence) solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance experiment incorporating DUMBO homonuclear 1H dipolar decoupling is presented. The major resolution enhancement enables DQ peaks corresponding to all 22 close (<3.5 A) proton-proton proximities in the dipeptide beta-AspAla to be observed. In particular, the DQ CRAMPS spectrum provides access to the alkyl region of the spectrum and yields a clear assignment of the two CH and two diastereotopic CH2 proton resonances.

High-speed 1H MAS NMR investigations of the weathered surface of a phosphate glass

Solid-state high-speed 1H MAS NMR spectroscopy was used to investigate the weathered surface of a potassium aluminum phosphate (KAP) glass exposed to a humid environment (30K2O10Al2O360P2O5, mol%). Through the combination of spin-spin relaxation and double quantum (DQ) filtering it was possible to resolve seven or eight different proton environments within the weathered surface of the KAP glass. Two-dimensional (2D) DQ and 2D NOESY NMR correlation experiments were performed to probe the spatial proximity of these different proton species. These 1H-1H correlation experiments helped confirm the spectral assignments. The analysis of these different 1H environments provides additional information about the chemical processes that occur at the weathered glass surface.