Investigating the vanadium environments in hydroxylamido V(V) dipicolinate complexes using 51V NMR spectroscopy and density functional theory

Predicting 51V nuclear magnetic resonance observables in molecular crystals

Solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and quantum chemical density functional theory (DFT) calculations are widely used to characterize vanadium centers in biological and pharmaceutically relevant compounds. Several techniques have been recently developed to improve the accuracy of predicted NMR parameters obtained from DFT. Fragment-based and planewave-corrected methods employing hybrid density functionals are particularly effective tools for solid-state applications. A recent benchmark study involving molecular crystal compounds found that fragment-based NMR calculations using hybrid density functionals improve the accuracy of predicted 51V chemical shieldings by 20% relative to traditional planewave methods. This work extends the previous study, including a careful analysis of 51V chemical shift anisotropy, electric field gradient calculations, and a more extensive test set. The accuracy of planewave-corrected techniques and recently developed fragment-based methods using electrostatic embedding based on the polarized continuum model (PCM) are found to be highly competitive with previous methods. Planewave-corrected methods achieve a 34% improvement in the errors of predicted 51V chemical shieldings relative to planewave. Additionally, planewave-corrected and fragment-based calculations were performed using PCM embedding, improving the accuracy of predicted 51V chemical shielding (CS) tensor principal values by 30% andC q values by 15% relative to traditional planewave methods. The performance of these methods is further examined using a redox-active oxovandium complex and a common 51V NMR reference compound.

Accurate fragment-based 51-V chemical shift predictions in molecular crystals

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy plays a crucial role in determining molecular structure for complex biological and pharmaceutical compounds. NMR investigations are increasingly reliant on computation for mapping spectral features to chemical structures. Here we benchmark the accuracy of fragment-based ⁵¹V chemical shielding tensor calculations using a training set comprised of 10 biologically and pharmaceutically relevant oxovanadium complexes. Using our self-consistent reproduction of the Madelung potential (SCRMP) electrostatic embedding model, we demonstrate comparable performance between fragment methods and computationally demanding cluster-based techniques. Specifically, fragment methods employing hybrid density functionals are capable of reproducing the experimental ⁵¹V isotropic chemical shifts with a training set rms error of ~9 ​ppm, representing a 20% improvement over traditional plane wave techniques. We provide training set-derived linear regression models for mapping the absolute shieldings obtained from computation to the experimentally determined chemical shifts using four common density functionals; PBE0, B3LYP, PBE, and BLYP. Finally, we establish the utility of fragment methods and the reported regression parameters examining four oxovanadium structures excluded from the training set including the tetracoordinate oxovanadium silicate [Formula: see text] , VO¹⁵NGlySalbz which contains redox-active ligands, and the solid-state form of the common ⁵¹V NMR reference compound VOCl₃.

Stabilization of different redox levels of a tridentate benzoxazole amidophenoxide ligand when bound to Co(iii) or V(v)

The electronic structure of Co and V complexes of a tridentate benzoxazole-containing aminophenol ligand NNOH2 were characterized by both experimental and theoretical methods.

Effect of positional isomerism and vanadium substitution on 51V magic angle spinning NMR Spectra Of Wells-Dawson polyoxotungstates

We examined the positional isomerism and vanadium substitution on the 51V magic angle spinning NMR spectra of potassium salts of vanadium-substituted polyoxotungstates of the Wells-Dawson series. NMR parameters of this class of catalytically active polyoxotungstates effect of are reported. Multiple species, indicative of differences in the local environment at the substitution sites, are observed in solid-state NMR spectra of the di- and tri- substituted complexes in contrast to solution NMR spectra, where single average chemical shift was observed. The quadrupolar and chemical shift anisotropy parameters depend strongly on the position and the degree of the vanadium substitution into the oxoanion core establishing 51V SATRAS NMR spectroscopy as a sensitive probe of the local electronic environment in these catalytically active solids.

51V magic angle spinning NMR spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations in vanadium bio-inorganic systems: current perspective

In recent years, 51V magic angle spinning (MAS) NMR spectroscopy has been widely used to characterize vanadium centers in biology, biomimetic complexes, and inorganic compounds of medicinal and industrial relevance. It has been demonstrated that 51V NMR parameters are sensitive probes of the coordination geometry and chemical environment of the metal center, beyond the first coordination sphere. To establish the relationships between NMR parameters and structure of the vanadium centers, over the past decade a large series of coordination complexes have been analyzed by MAS NMR spectroscopy. It has been demonstrated that the interpretation of the NMR parameters requires the use of theoretical methods, such as density functional (DFT) theory, whereby the experimental NMR observables are linked to the electronic and structural properties of a molecule. DFT calculations have been successfully employed to not only predict NMR parameters but to also yield valuable information regarding the structure and function of various vanadium compounds. In this report, we review the current state of the field, and present a survey of bioinorganic vanadium complexes as well as vanadium-dependent haloperoxidases analyzed using 51V MAS NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations, to illustrate the rich information content available from such a combined approach.

Effect of Ancillary Ligand on Electronic Structure as Probed by 51V Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy for Vanadium-o-Dioxolene Complexes

A series of vanadium(V) complexes with o-dioxolene (catecholato) ligands and an ancillary ligand, (N-(salicylideneaminato)ethylenediamine) (hensal), were investigated using ⁵¹V solid-state magic angle spinning NMR spectroscopy (⁵¹V MAS NMR) to assess the local environment of the vanadium(V). The solid-state ⁵¹V NMR parameters of vanadium(V) complexes with a related potentially tetradentate ancillary ligand (N-salicylidene-N'-(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine) (h₂shed) were previously shown to be associated with the size of the HOMO-LUMO gap in the complex, and as such provide insights on the interaction between metal ion and ligand (P. B. Chatterjee, et al., Inorg. Chem 50 (2011) 9794). Our results show that the modification of the ancillary ligand does not impact the observed trend between complexes ranging from catechols with electron rich to electron poor substituents. However, the ancillary ligand does impact the size of the HOMO-LUMO separation in the parent complex and thus the solid-state vanadium NMR chemical shift of the unsubstituted vanadium complex. For these complexes significant changes observed in the isotropic shifts and more modest changes detected in the C_Q reflect the electronic changes in the complex as the catechol is varied. However, no obvious trend was observed in the chemical shift anisotropies (δ_σ and η_σ) with the variation in the catechol. The electronic changes in the coordination environment of the vanadium can be described using solid-state ⁵¹V NMR spectroscopy.

Anti-diabetic effects of a series of vanadium dipicolinate complexes in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes

The effects of oral treatment of rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes with a range of vanadium dipicolinate complexes (Vdipic) and derivatives are reviewed. Structure-reactivity relationships are explored aiming to correlate properties such as stability, to their insulin-enhancing effects. Three types of modifications are investigated; first, substitutions on the aromatic ring, second, coordination of a hydroxylamido group to the vanadium, and third, changes in the oxidation state of the vanadium ion. These studies allowed us to address the importance of coordination chemistry, and redox chemistry, as modes of action. Dipicolinate was originally chosen as a ligand because the dipicolinatooxovanadium(V) complex (V5dipic), is a potent inhibitor of phosphatases. The effect of vanadium oxidation state (3, 4 or 5), on the insulin-enhancing properties was studied in both the Vdipic and VdipicCl series. Effects on blood glucose, body weight, serum lipids, alkaline phosphatase and aspartate transaminase were selectively monitored. Statistically distinct differences in activity were found, however, the trends observed were not the same in the Vdipic and VdipicCl series. Interperitoneal administration of the Vdipic series was used to compare the effect of administration mode. Correlations were observed for blood vanadium and plasma glucose levels after V5dipic treatment, but not after treatment with corresponding V4dipic and V3dipic complexes. Modifications of the aromatic ring structure with chloride, amine or hydroxyl groups had limited effects. Global gene expression was measured using Affymetrix oligonucleotide chips. All diabetic animals treated with hydroxyl substituted V5dipic (V5dipicOH) and some diabetic rats treated with vanadyl sulfate had normalized hyperlipidemia yet uncontrolled hyperglycemia and showed abnormal gene expression patterns. In contrast to the normal gene expression profiles previously reported for some diabetic rats treated with vanadyl sulfate, where both hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia were normalized. Modification of the metal, changing the coordination chemistry to form a hydroxylamine ternary complex, had the most influence on the anti-diabetic action. Vanadium absorption into serum was determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy for selected vanadium complexes. Only diabetic rats treated with the ternary V5dipicOH hydroxylamine complex showed statistically significant increases in accumulation of vanadium into serum compared to diabetic rats treated with vanadyl sulfate. The chemistry and physical properties of the Vdipic complexes correlated with their anti-diabetic properties. Here, we propose that compound stability and ability to interact with cellular redox reactions are key components for the insulin-enhancing activity of vanadium compounds. Specifically, we found that the most overall effective anti-diabetic Vdipic compounds were obtained when the compound administered had an increased coordination number in the vanadium complex.

A simple method for analyzing 51V solid-state NMR spectra of complex systems

Five vanadium complexes as models for biological systems were investigated using (51)V-MAS-NMR spectroscopy. All spectra show an uncommon line shape, which can be attributed to a shorter relaxation time of the satellite transition in contrast to the central one. A method for the reliable analysis of such kind of spectra is presented for the first time and the most important NMR parameters of the investigated complexes (quadrupolar coupling constant C(Q), asymmetry of the EFG tensor η(Q), isotropic chemical shift δ(iso), chemical shift anisotropy δ(σ) and asymmetry of the CSA tensor η(σ)) are presented. These results are of particular importance with respect to the analysis of the (51)V-MAS-NMR spectra of vanadium moieties in biological matrices such as vanadium chloroperoxidase, which show hitherto unexplained low intensity of the satellite sideband pattern.

Characterization of noninnocent metal complexes using solid-state NMR spectroscopy: o-dioxolene vanadium complexes

(51)V solid-state NMR (SSNMR) studies of a series of noninnocent vanadium(V) catechol complexes have been conducted to evaluate the possibility that (51)V NMR observables, quadrupolar and chemical shift anisotropies, and electronic structures of such compounds can be used to characterize these compounds. The vanadium(V) catechol complexes described in these studies have relatively small quadrupolar coupling constants, which cover a surprisingly small range from 3.4 to 4.2 MHz. On the other hand, isotropic (51)V NMR chemical shifts cover a wide range from -200 to 400 ppm in solution and from -219 to 530 ppm in the solid state. A linear correlation of (51)V NMR isotropic solution and solid-state chemical shifts of complexes containing noninnocent ligands is observed. These experimental results provide the information needed for the application of (51)V SSNMR spectroscopy in characterizing the electronic properties of a wide variety of vanadium-containing systems and, in particular, those containing noninnocent ligands and that have chemical shifts outside the populated range of -300 to -700 ppm. The studies presented in this report demonstrate that the small quadrupolar couplings covering a narrow range of values reflect the symmetric electronic charge distribution, which is also similar across these complexes. These quadrupolar interaction parameters alone are not sufficient to capture the rich electronic structure of these complexes. In contrast, the chemical shift anisotropy tensor elements accessible from (51)V SSNMR experiments are a highly sensitive probe of subtle differences in electronic distribution and orbital occupancy in these compounds. Quantum chemical (density functional theory) calculations of NMR parameters for [VO(hshed)(Cat)] yield a (51)V chemical shift anisotropy tensor in reasonable agreement with the experimental results, but surprisingly the calculated quadrupolar coupling constant is significantly greater than the experimental value. The studies demonstrate that substitution of the catechol ligand with electron-donating groups results in an increase in the HOMO-LUMO gap and can be directly followed by an upfield shift for the vanadium catechol complex. In contrast, substitution of the catechol ligand with electron-withdrawing groups results in a decrease in the HOMO-LUMO gap and can directly be followed by a downfield shift for the complex. The vanadium catechol complexes were used in this work because (51)V is a half-integer quadrupolar nucleus whose NMR observables are highly sensitive to the local environment. However, the results are general and could be extended to other redox-active complexes that exhibit coordination chemistry similar to that of the vanadium catechol complexes.

Solid-state NMR and density functional theory studies of ionization states of thiamin

Thiamin diphosphate (ThDP) is a key coenzyme in sugar metabolism. The 4'-aminopyrimidine ring of ThDP cycles through several ionization and tautomeric states during enzyme catalysis, but it is not fully understood which states are adopted during the individual steps of the catalytic cycle. Thiamin has been synthesized with labels selectively inserted into the C2 and C6' positions, as well as into the amino group, creating [C2, C6'-(13)C(2)] thiamin and [N4'-(15)N] thiamin. Magic-angle spinning (MAS) NMR spectroscopy has been employed to record the (13)C and (15)N chemical shift anisotropy (CSA) tensors for C2, C6', and N4' atoms. Our results indicate that the isotropic chemical shifts as well as the principal components of the (13)C and (15)N CSA tensors are very sensitive to the protonation states in these compounds and, therefore, permit differentiating between the two ionization states, 4-aminopyrimidine and 4-aminopyrimidinium. Using density functional theory (DFT), we have calculated the magnetic shielding anisotropy tensors of C2, C6', and N4' and found excellent agreement between the computed and the experimental tensors. Our findings indicate that MAS NMR spectroscopy in conjunction with DFT calculations is a sensitive probe of ionization states in the thiamin cofactor. The results of this study will serve as a guide for characterization of ionization and tautomeric states of thiamin in complexes with thiamin-dependent enzymes.

Solid-state 51V NMR investigation of the intercalation of alkylamines into layered alpha-vanadyl phosphate

The intercalation behavior of layered alpha-phase vanadyl phosphate, alpha-VOPO(4).2H(2)O (alpha-VP), with alkylamine was investigated by (51)V solid-state NMR in combination with powder XRD. The XRD results show that the amines form bimolecular layers upon intercalation. For the intercalation with short chain amines (propylamine, pentylamine, and hexylamine), the C-C chain of the amines is tilted with respect to the inorganic basal plane. The amines with a longer alkyl chain (dodecylamine and hexadecylamine) tend to adopt an orientation where the C-C chain direction is perpendicular to the VP layer. For the amine with eight carbon atoms (octylamine), the intercalation results in two coexisting phases with different chain orientations. (51)V solid-state NMR was used to directly probe the effect of intercalation on the metal center environments. Both (51)V magic-angle spinning and static spectra of alpha-VP intercalated with different amines were obtained at different magnetic fields, and they are sensitive to intercalation. The intercalation induces the (51)V isotropic chemical shift to move toward deshielded direction. (51)V chemical shielding parameters such as the span are sensitive to the orientation of the amine chain with respect to the VP basal plane. For the V centers interacting with the amines having a tilted orientation, the (51)V span gradually decreases with increasing alkyl chain length. However, the span of the (51)V atoms interacting with the amines perpendicular to the VP layer is larger and independent of the length of the alkyl chain. The (51)V NMR data indicate that for the alpha-VPs intercalated with long-chain amines, such as dodecylamine and hexadecylamine, the amines can assume both tilted and perpendicular orientations.

Correlations between (51)V solid-state NMR parameters and chemical structure of vanadium (V) complexes as models for related metalloproteins and catalysts

The parameters describing the quadrupolar and CSA interactions of 51V solid-state MAS NMR investigations of model complexes mimicking vanadoenzymes as well as vanadium containing catalysts and enzyme complexes are interpreted with respect to the chemical structure. The interpretation is based on the data of 15 vanadium complexes including two new complexes with previously unpublished data and 13 complexes with data previously published by us. Correlations between the chemical structure and the 51V solid-state NMR data of this class of compounds have been established. Especially for the isotropic chemical shift delta(iso) and the chemical shift anisotropy delta(sigma), correlations with specific structural features like the coordination number of the vanadium atom, the number of coordinating nitrogens, the number of oxygen atoms and the chemical surrounding of the complex could be established for these compounds. Moreover, quantitative correlations between the solid-state NMR parameters and specific bond angles and bond lengths have been obtained. Our results can be of particular interest for future investigations concerning the structure and the mode of action of related vanadoenzymes and vanadate protein assemblies, including the use of vanadate adducts as transition state analogs for phosphate metabolizing systems.

Density functional theory for transition metals and transition metal chemistry

We introduce density functional theory and review recent progress in its application to transition metal chemistry. Topics covered include local, meta, hybrid, hybrid meta, and range-separated functionals, band theory, software, validation tests, and applications to spin states, magnetic exchange coupling, spectra, structure, reactivity, and catalysis, including molecules, clusters, nanoparticles, surfaces, and solids.

DFT Calculations of 51V Solid-State NMR Parameters of Vanadium(V) Model Complexes

Two cis-dioxovanadium(V) complexes and three monooxovanadium(V) complexes with different coordination numbers and ligand spheres, serving as model complexes for vanadium haloperoxidases, were studied by 51V solid-state NMR spectroscopy. The most important 51V solid-state NMR parameters (quadrupolar coupling constant C Q , asymmetry of the EFG tensor η Q , isotropic chemical shift δ iso , chemical shift anisotropy δ σ , asymmetry of the CSA tensor η σ and the Euler angles α, β and γ) describing the quadrupolar and chemical shift anisotropy interactions were determined theoretically with DFT methods employing the B3LYP functional and experimentally using genetic fitting algorithms. Calculations of δ iso values were treated with different referencing values of VOCl3 computed with different-sized basis sets using the “counterpoise method”. The calculated C Q values were discussed in terms of the quadrupolar moment Q. Absolute tensor orientations of CSA and EFG tensors were computed by DFT. These orientations were found to correlate to structural features of the model complexes.

Using hyperbolic secant pulses to assist characterization of chemical shift tensors for half-integer spin quadrupolar nuclei in MAS powder samples

Determination of the NMR anisotropic magnetic shielding parameters from magic angle spinning, MAS, powder samples containing half-integer spin quadrupolar nuclei is achieved by analysis of the difference spectrum obtained with and without application of a hyperbolic secant pulse. Application of a hyperbolic secant pulse to any spinning sideband associated with the central transition, m(I) = 1/2 to m(I) = - 1/2, results in 'saturation' of the entire central transition manifold. Similarly, if one spinning sideband associated with the m(I) = 3/2 to m(I) = 1/2 and m(I) = - 1/2 to m(I) = - 3/2 satellite transitions is perturbed, the entire satellite manifold associated with these transitions is 'saturated' while the central transition is enhanced by population transfer. Three 'difference spectrum' techniques are employed to selectively yield the spinning sidebands associated predominantly from the central transition. The success of these difference techniques is first demonstrated by examining (51)V NMR spectra of three metavanadate salts and (59)Co NMR spectra of Co(acac)(3). The vanadium and cobalt chemical shift tensors in these compounds have spans between 400 and 1400 ppm. Because the hyperbolic secant techniques proposed here yielded results that are in good agreement with earlier reports, they have been applied to characterize the (51)V chemical shift tensor of the dimer of bis(N, N-dimethylhydroxamido)-hydroxooxovanadate, {V(O)(ONMe(2))(2)}(2)O, whose chemical shift tensor has not been previously reported.

(51)V solid-state NMR and density functional theory studies of eight-coordinate non-oxo vanadium complexes: oxidized amavadin

Using (51)V magic angle spinning solid-state NMR spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations we have characterized the chemical shift and quadrupolar coupling parameters for two eight-coordinate vanadium complexes, [PPh(4)][V(v)(HIDPA)(2)] and [PPh(4)][V(v)(HIDA)(2)]; HIDPA = 2,2'-(hydroxyimino)dipropionate and HIDA = 2,2'-(hydroxyimino)diacetate. The coordination geometry under examination is the less common non-oxo eight coordinate distorted dodecahedral geometry that has not been previously investigated by solid-state NMR spectroscopy. Both complexes were isolated by oxidizing their reduced forms: [V(iv)(HIDPA)(2)](2-) and [V(iv)(HIDA)(2)](2-). V(iv)(HIDPA)(2)(2-) is also known as amavadin, a vanadium-containing natural product present in the Amanita muscaria mushroom and is responsible for vanadium accumulation in nature. The quadrupolar coupling constants, C(Q), are found to be moderate, 5.0-6.4 MHz while the chemical shift anisotropies are relatively small for vanadium complexes, -420 and -360 ppm. The isotropic chemical shifts in the solid state are -220 and -228 ppm for the two compounds, and near the chemical shifts observed in solution. Presumably this is a consequence of the combined effects of the increased coordination number and the absence of oxo groups. Density functional theory calculations of the electric field gradient parameters are in good agreement with the NMR results while the chemical shift parameters show some deviation from the experimental values. Future work on this unusual coordination geometry and a combined analysis by solid-state NMR and density functional theory should provide a better understanding of the correlations between experimental NMR parameters and the local structure of the vanadium centers.

Efficient analysis of (51)V solid-state MAS NMR spectra using genetic algorithms

A program for iterative fitting procedures to determine the NMR parameters from (51)V solid-state MAS NMR spectra was developed. It contains options to use genetic algorithms and downhill-simplex optimizing procedures to extract the optimal parameter sets, which describe our spectra. As computational kernel the SIMPSON program is employed. Other kernels like SPINEVOLUTION are easily incorporable. The algorithms are checked for their suitability for the present optimization problem and optimal simulation conditions are determined, with the focus on minimal processing time. The procedure leads to a very good agreement between experimental and simulated spectra in a passable period of time. First results for spectra of model compounds for the active site of vanadium haloperoxidases are presented.

Chloro-substituted dipicolinate vanadium complexes: synthesis, solution, solid-state, and insulin-enhancing properties

Three vanadium complexes of chlorodipicolinic acid (4-chloro-2,6-dipicolinic acid) in oxidation states III, IV, and V were prepared and their properties characterized across the oxidation states. In addition, the series of hydroxylamido, methylhydroxylamido, dimethylhydroxylamido, and diethylhydroxylamido complexes were prepared from the chlorodipicolinato dioxovanadium(V) complex. The vanadium(V) compounds were characterized in solution by (51)V and (1)H NMR and in the solid-state by X-ray diffraction and (51)V NMR. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations were performed to evaluate the experimental parameters and further describes the electronic structure of the complex. The small structural changes that do occur in bond lengths and angles and partial charges on different atoms are minor compared to the charge features that are responsible for the majority of the electric field gradient tensor. The EPR parameters of the vanadium(IV) complex were characterized and compared to the corresponding dipicolinate complex. The chemical properties of the chlorodipicolinate compounds are discussed and correlated with their insulin-enhancing activity in streptozoticin (STZ) induced diabetic Wistar rats. The effect of the chloro-substitution on lowering diabetic hyperglycemia was evaluated and differences were found depending on the compounds oxidation state similar as was observed for the vanadium III, IV and V dipicolinate complexes (P. Buglyo, D.C. Crans, E.M. Nagy, R.L. Lindo, L. Yang, J.J. Smee, W. Jin, L.-H. Chi, M.E. Godzala III, G.R. Willsky, Inorg. Chem. 44 (2005) 5416-5427). However, a linear correlation of oxidation states with efficacy was not observed, which suggests that the differences in mode of action are not simply an issue of redox equivalents. Importantly, our results contrast the previous observation with the vanadium-picolinate complexes, where the halogen substituents increased the insulin-enhancing properties of the complex (T. Takino, H. Yasui, A. Yoshitake, Y. Hamajima, R. Matsushita, J. Takada, H. Sakurai, J. Biol. Inorg. Chem. 6 (2001) 133-142).

(51)V solid-state NMR investigations and DFT studies of model compounds for vanadium haloperoxidases

Three cis-dioxovanadium(V) complexes with similar N-salicylidenehydrazide ligands modeling hydrogen bonding interactions of vanadate relevant for vanadium haloperoxidases are studied by (51)V solid-state NMR spectroscopy. Their parameters describing the quadrupolar and chemical shift anisotropy interactions (quadrupolar coupling constant C(Q), asymmetry of the quadrupolar tensor eta(Q), isotropic chemical shift delta(iso), chemical shift anisotropy delta(sigma), asymmetry of the chemical shift tensor eta(sigma) and the Euler angles alpha, beta and gamma) are determined both experimentally and theoretically using DFT methods. A comparative study of different methods to determine the NMR parameters by numerical simulation of the spectra is presented. Detailed theoretical investigations on the DFT level using various basis sets and structural models show that by useful choice of the methodology, the calculated parameters agree to the experimental ones in a very good manner.

51V solid-state NMR and density functional theory studies of vanadium environments in V(V)O2 dipicolinic acid complexes

(51)V solid-state NMR and density functional theory (DFT) investigations are reported for a series of pentacoordinate dioxovanadium(V)-dipicolinate [V(V)O(2)-dipicolinate] and heptacoordinate aquahydroxylamidooxovanadium(V)-dipicolinate [V(V)O-dipicolinate] complexes. These compounds are of interest because of their potency as phosphatase inhibitors as well as their insulin enhancing properties and potential for the treatment of diabetes. Experimental solid-state NMR results show that the electric field gradient tensors in the V(V)O(2)-dipicolinate derivatives are affected significantly by substitution on the dipicolinate ring and range from 5.8 to 8.3 MHz. The chemical shift anisotropies show less dramatic variations with respect to the ligand changes and range between -550 and -600 ppm. To gain insights on the origins of the NMR parameters, DFT calculations were conducted for an extensive series of the V(V)O(2)- and V(V)O-dipicolinate complexes. To assess the level of theory required for the accurate calculation of the (51)V NMR parameters, different functionals, basis sets, and structural models were explored in the DFT study. It is shown that the original x-ray crystallographic geometries, including all counterions and solvation water molecules within 5 A of the vanadium, lead to the most accurate results. The choice of the functional and the basis set at a high level of theory has a relatively minor impact on the outcome of the chemical shift anisotropy calculations; however, the use of large basis sets is necessary for accurate calculations of the quadrupole coupling constants for several compounds of the V(V)O(2) series. These studies demonstrate that even though the vanadium compounds under investigations exhibit distorted trigonal bipyramidal coordination geometry, they have a "perfect" trigonal bipyramidal electronic environment. This observation could potentially explain why vanadate and vanadium(V) adducts are often recognized as potent transition state analogs.