1H Homonuclear dipolar decoupling using symmetry-based pulse sequences at ultra fast magic-angle spinning frequencies

Origin of the residual line width under frequency-switched Lee-Goldburg decoupling in MAS solid-state NMR

Homonuclear decoupling sequences in solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) under magic-angle spinning (MAS) show experimentally significantly larger residual line width than expected from Floquet theory to second order. We present an in-depth theoretical and experimental analysis of the origin of the residual line width under decoupling based on frequency-switched Lee-Goldburg (FSLG) sequences. We analyze the effect of experimental pulse-shape errors (e.g., pulse transients and B 1 -field inhomogeneities) and use a Floquet-theory-based description of higher-order error terms that arise from the interference between the MAS rotation and the pulse sequence. It is shown that the magnitude of the third-order auto term of a single homo- or heteronuclear coupled spin pair is important and leads to significant line broadening under FSLG decoupling. Furthermore, we show the dependence of these third-order error terms on the angle of the effective field with the B 0 field. An analysis of second-order cross terms is presented that shows that the influence of three-spin terms is small since they are averaged by the pulse sequence. The importance of the inhomogeneity of the radio-frequency (rf) field is discussed and shown to be the main source of residual line broadening while pulse transients do not seem to play an important role. Experimentally, the influence of the combination of these error terms is shown by using restricted samples and pulse-transient compensation. The results show that all terms are additive but the major contribution to the residual line width comes from the rf-field inhomogeneity for the standard implementation of FSLG sequences, which is significant even for samples with a restricted volume.

Enhanced 1H-X D-HMQC performance through improved 1H homonuclear decoupling

The sensitivity of solid-state NMR experiments that utilize ¹H zero-quantum heteronuclear dipolar recoupling, such as D-HMQC, is compromised by poor homonuclear decoupling. This leads to a rapid decay of recoupled magnetization and an inefficient recoupling of long-range dipolar interactions, especially for nuclides with low gyromagnetic ratios. We investigated the use, in symmetry-based ¹H heteronuclear recoupling sequences, of a basic R element that was principally designed for efficient homonuclear decoupling. By shortening the time required to suppress the effects of homonuclear dipolar interactions to the duration of a single inversion pulse, spin diffusion was effectively quenched and long-lived recoupled coherence lifetimes could be obtained. We show, both theoretically and experimentally, that these modified sequences can yield considerable sensitivity improvements over the current state-of-the-art methods and applied them to the indirect detection of ⁸⁹Y in a metal-organic framework.

Proton-detected solid-state NMR spectroscopy of fully protonated proteins at slow to moderate magic-angle spinning frequencies

(1)H-detection offers a substitute to the sensitivity-starved experiments often used to characterize biomolecular samples using magic-angle spinning solid-state NMR spectroscopy (MAS-ssNMR). To mitigate the effects of the strong (1)H-(1)H dipolar coupled network that would otherwise severely broaden resonances, high MAS frequencies (>40kHz) are often employed. Here, we have explored the alternative of stroboscopic (1)H-detection at moderate MAS frequencies of 5-30kHz using windowed version of supercycled-phase-modulated Lee-Goldburg homonuclear decoupling. We show that improved resolution in the (1)H dimension, comparable to that obtainable at high spinning frequencies of 40-60kHz without homonuclear decoupling, can be obtained in these experiments for fully protonated proteins. Along with detailed analysis of the performance of the method on the standard tri-peptide f-MLF, experiments on micro-crystalline GB1 and amyloid-β aggregates are used to demonstrate the applicability of these pulse-sequences to challenging biomolecular systems. With only two parameters to optimize, broadbanded performance of the homonuclear decoupling sequence, linear dependence of the chemical-shift scaling factor on resonance offset and a straightforward implementation under experimental conditions currently used for many biomolecular studies (viz. spinning frequencies and radio-frequency amplitudes), we expect these experiments to complement the current (13)C-detection based methods in assignments and characterization through chemical-shift mapping.

Minimizing the effects of RF inhomogeneity and phase transients allows resolution of two peaks in the (1)H CRAMPS NMR spectrum of adamantane

One of the limiting factors to achieving highly resolved (1)H NMR spectra with (1)H homonuclear decoupling sequences is imperfections in the applied radiofrequency (RF) pulses, most notably phase transients and RF inhomogeneity. Through a series of simulations and solid-state NMR experiments, it is demonstrated that the combined effects of phase transients and RF inhomogeneity can be minimized by a combination of (i) restricting the sample to small volume of the rotor, (ii) by employing a super-cycled version of the DUMBO decoupling sequence, and (iii) by carefully adjusting the probe tuning such that the asymmetric component of phase transients is minimized. Under these optimal conditions, it was possible to clearly resolve two signals in the (1)H CRAMPS NMR spectrum of adamantane arising from the CH and CH2 protons in the molecule. It is proposed that adamantane could be a very useful setup sample for (1)H CRAMPS NMR as the two peaks are only resolved when the effects of RF inhomogeneity and phase transients are minimized.

Detailed analysis of the TIMES and TIMES0 high-resolution MAS methods for high-resolution proton NMR

We analyze and compare the specifications of TIMES and TIMES(0) proton high-resolution NMR methods for solid-state samples. This comparison is performed in terms of resolution versus magic-angle spinning (MAS) spinning speed, ν(R), rf-field amplitude, ν(1), and tilt-angle for the effective rf-field, θ(p). The chemical-shift and homo-nuclear dipolar scaling factors are calculated for both methods. For all MAS speeds, the best resolution is always observed with rf-field of ν(1)≈120-130 kHz. At slow MAS speed (ν(R)≤10 kHz), the best resolution is observed for a tilt-angle of θ(P)≈90°. At moderate spinning speed (15≤ν(R)≤35 kHz), θ(P)≈55° gives the best resolution. At higher MAS speed (ν(R)≥60 kHz), with TIMES and TIMES(0) the best resolution is obtained for θ(P)≤40°; but we then recommend TIMES(0), owing to its simpler set-up. We also show that in addition to the usual high rf-field regime (ν(1)≈120-130 kHz), another low rf-regime (ν(1)≈40-50 kHz) exists at MAS speed higher than ν(R)≥60 kHz, which also gives a good (1)H resolution. This low rf-regime should be useful for multi-dimensional analyses of bio-molecules with (1)H detection under high-resolution, in order to limit the heating of the sample.

Practical choice of ¹H-¹H decoupling schemes in through-bond ¹H-{X} HMQC experiments at ultra-fast MAS

Three (1)H-(1)H homonuclear dipolar decoupling schemes for (1)H indirect detection measurements at very fast MAS are compared. The sequences require the following conditions: (i) being operable at very fast MAS, (ii) a long T(2)(') value, (iii) a large scaling factor, (iv) a small number of adjustable parameters, (v) an acquisition window, (vi) a low rf-power requirement, and (vii) a z-rotation feature. To satisfy these conditions a modified sequence named TIlted Magic-Echo Sandwich with zero degree sandwich pulse (TIMES(0)) is introduced. The basic elements of TIMES(0) consist of one sampling window and two phase-ramped irradiations, which realize alternating positive and negative 360° rotations of (1)H magnetization around an effective field tilted with an angle θ from the B(0) axis. The TIMES(0) sequence benefits from very large chemical shift scaling factors at ultra-fast MAS that reach κ(cs)=0.90 for θ=25° at ν(r)=80kHz MAS and only four adjustable parameters, resulting in easy setup. Long κ(cs)T(2)(') values, where T(2)(') is a irreversible proton transverse relaxation time, greatly enhance the sensitivity in (1)H-{(13)C} through-bond J-HMQC (Heteronuclear Multiple-Quantum Coherence) measurements with (1)H-(1)H decoupling during magnetization transfer periods. Although similar sensitivity can be obtained with through-space D-HMQC sequences, in which (13)C-(1)H dipolar interactions are recoupled, J-HMQC experiments incorporating (1)H-(1)H decoupling benefit from lower t(1)-noise, more uniform excitation of both CH, CH(2) and CH(3) moieties, and easier identification of through-bond connectivities.

Progress in correlation spectroscopy at ultra-fast magic-angle spinning: basic building blocks and complex experiments for the study of protein structure and dynamics

Recent progress in multi-dimensional solid-state NMR correlation spectroscopy at high static magnetic fields and ultra-fast magic-angle spinning is discussed. A focus of the review is on applications to protein resonance assignment and structure determination as well as on the characterization of protein dynamics in the solid state. First, the consequences of ultra-fast spinning on sensitivity and sample heating are considered. Recoupling and decoupling techniques at ultra-fast MAS are then presented, as well as more complex experiments assembled from these basic building blocks. Furthermore, we discuss new avenues in biomolecular solid-state NMR spectroscopy that become feasible in the ultra-fast spinning regime, such as sensitivity enhancement based on paramagnetic doping, and the prospect of direct proton detection.