Enhanced Solid-State NMR Correlation Spectroscopy of Quadrupolar Nuclei Using Dynamic Nuclear Polarization

Advanced solid-state NMR spectroscopy and its applications in zeolite chemistry

Solid-state NMR spectroscopy (ssNMR) can provide details about the structure, host-guest/guest-guest interactions and dynamic behavior of materials at atomic length scales. A crucial use of ssNMR is for the characterization of zeolite catalysts that are extensively employed in industrial catalytic processes. This review aims to spotlight the recent advancements in ssNMR spectroscopy and its application to zeolite chemistry. We first review the current ssNMR methods and techniques that are relevant to characterize zeolite catalysts, including advanced multinuclear and multidimensional experiments, in situ NMR techniques and hyperpolarization methods. Of these, the methodology development on half-integer quadrupolar nuclei is emphasized, which represent about two-thirds of stable NMR-active nuclei and are widely present in catalytic materials. Subsequently, we introduce the recent progress in understanding zeolite chemistry with the aid of these ssNMR methods and techniques, with a specific focus on the investigation of zeolite framework structures, zeolite crystallization mechanisms, surface active/acidic sites, host-guest/guest-guest interactions, and catalytic reaction mechanisms.

Rational Design of Dinitroxide Polarizing Agents for Dynamic Nuclear Polarization to Enhance Overall NMR Sensitivity

We evaluate the overall sensitivity gains provided by a series of eighteen nitroxide biradicals for dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) solid-state NMR at 9.4 T and 100 K, including eight new biradicals. We find that in the best performing group the factors contributing to the overall sensitivity gains, namely the DNP enhancement, the build-up time, and the contribution factor, often compete with each other leading to very similar overall sensitivity across a range of biradicals. NaphPol and HydroPol are found to provide the best overall sensitivity factors, in organic and aqueous solvents respectively. One of the new biradicals, AMUPolCbm, provides high sensitivity for all three solvent formulations measured here, and can be considered to be a "universal" polarizing agent.

Sustainable and cost-effective MAS DNP-NMR at 30 K with cryogenic sample exchange

We report here instrumental developments to achieve sustainable, cost-effective cryogenic Helium sample spinning in order to conduct dynamic nuclear polarisation (DNP) and solid-state NMR (ssNMR) at ultra-low temperatures (<30 K). More specifically, we describe an efficient closed-loop helium system composed of a powerful heat exchanger (95% efficient), a single cryocooler, and a single helium compressor to power the sample spinning and cooling. The system is integrated with a newly designed triple-channel NMR probe that minimizes thermal losses without compromising the radio frequency (RF) performance and spinning stability (±0.05%). The probe is equipped with an innovative cryogenic sample exchange system that allows swapping samples in minutes without introducing impurities in the closeloop system. We report that significant gain in sensitivity can be obtained at 30-40 K on large micro-crystalline molecules with unfavorable relaxation timescales, making them difficult or impossible to polarize at 100 K. We also report rotor-synchronized 2D experiments to demonstrate the stability of the system.

Comparison of through-space homonuclear correlations between quadrupolar nuclei in solids

Various two-dimensional (2D) homonuclear correlation experiments have been proposed to observe proximities between identical half-integer spin quadrupolar nuclei in solids. These experiments select either the single- or double-quantum coherences during the indirect evolution period, t₁. We compare here the efficiency and the robustness of the 2D double-quantum to single-quantum (DQ-SQ) and SQ-SQ homonuclear correlations for two half-integer spin quadrupolar isotopes subject to small chemical shift anisotropy (CSA): ¹¹B with a nuclear spin I = 3/2 and ²⁷Al with I = 5/2. Such a comparison is performed using experiments on two model samples: Li₂B₄O₇ for ¹¹B and AlPO₄-14 for ²⁷Al. For both isotopes, the DQ-SQ homonuclear correlations are recommended since they allow probing the proximities between nuclei with close or identical frequencies. In the case of small or moderate isotropic chemical shift differences (e.g. ¹¹B) the [SR2₂¹] or [BR2₂¹] bracketed DQ-SQ recoupling schemes are recommended; whereas it is the BR2₂¹ un-bracketed one otherwise (e.g. ²⁷Al).

Nature of Five-Coordinated Al in γ-Al2O3 Revealed by Ultra-High-Field Solid-State NMR

Five-coordinated Als (Al(V)) on the surface of aluminas play important roles when they are used as catalysts or catalyst supports. However, the comprehensive characterization and understanding of the intrinsic structural properties of the Al(V) remain a challenge, due to the very small amount in commonly used aluminas. Herein, the surface structures of γ-Al₂O₃ and Al(V)-rich Al₂O₃ nanosheets (Al₂O₃-NS) have been investigated and compared in detail by multinuclear high-field solid-state NMR. Thanks to the high resolution and sensitivity of ultra-high-field (up to 35.2 T) NMR, the arrangements of surface Als were clearly demonstrated, which are substantially different from the bulk phase in γ-Al₂O₃ due to the structure reconstruction. It reveals for the first time that most of the commonly observed Al(V)s tend to exist as aggregated states on the surface of γ-Al₂O₃, like those in amorphous Al₂O₃-NS liable to structure reconstruction. Our new insights into surface Al(V) species may help in understanding the structure-function relationship of alumina.

Dynamic Nuclear Polarization for Sensitivity Enhancement in Biomolecular Solid-State NMR

Solid-state NMR with magic-angle spinning (MAS) is an important method in structural biology. While NMR can provide invaluable information about local geometry on an atomic scale even for large biomolecular assemblies lacking long-range order, it is often limited by low sensitivity due to small nuclear spin polarization in thermal equilibrium. Dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) has evolved during the last decades to become a powerful method capable of increasing this sensitivity by two to three orders of magnitude, thereby reducing the valuable experimental time from weeks or months to just hours or days; in many cases, this allows experiments that would be otherwise completely unfeasible. In this review, we give an overview of the developments that have opened the field for DNP-enhanced biomolecular solid-state NMR including state-of-the-art applications at fast MAS and high magnetic field. We present DNP mechanisms, polarizing agents, and sample constitution methods suitable for biomolecules. A wide field of biomolecular NMR applications is covered including membrane proteins, amyloid fibrils, large biomolecular assemblies, and biomaterials. Finally, we present perspectives and recent developments that may shape the field of biomolecular DNP in the future.

Efficient transfer of DNP-enhanced 1 H magnetization to half-integer quadrupolar nuclei in solids at moderate spinning rate

We show herein how the proton magnetization enhanced by dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) can be efficiently transferred at moderate magic-angle spinning (MAS) frequencies to half-integer quadrupolar nuclei, S ≥ 3/2, using the Dipolar-mediated Refocused Insensitive Nuclei Enhanced by Polarization Transfer (D-RINEPT) technique, in which a symmetry-based SR 4 1 2 recoupling scheme built from adiabatic inversion ¹ H pulses reintroduces the ¹ H-S dipolar couplings, while suppressing the ¹ H-¹ H ones. The use of adiabatic pulses also improves the robustness to offsets and radiofrequency (rf)-field inhomogeneity. Furthermore, the efficiency of the polarization transfer is further improved by using ¹ H composite pulses and continuous-wave irradiations between the recoupling blocks, as well as by manipulating the S satellite transitions during the first recoupling block. Furthermore, in the case of large ¹ H-S dipolar couplings, the D-RINEPT variant with two pulses on the quadrupolar channel results in an improved transfer efficiency. We compare here the performances of this new adiabatic scheme with those of its parent version with single π pulses, as well as with those of PRESTO and CPMAS transfers. This comparison is performed using simulations as well as DNP-enhanced ²⁷ Al, ⁹⁵ Mo, and ¹⁷ O NMR experiments on isotopically unmodified γ-alumina, hydrated titania-supported MoO₃ , Mg(OH)₂ , and l-histidine·HCl·H₂ O. The introduced RINEPT method outperforms the existing methods, both in terms of efficiency and robustness to rf-field inhomogeneity and offset.

On the use of radio-frequency offsets for improving double-quantum homonuclear dipolar recoupling of half-integer-spin quadrupolar nuclei

Detecting proximities between nuclei is crucial for atomic-scale structure determination with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Different from spin-1/2 nuclei, the methodology for quadrupolar nuclei is limited for solids due to the complex spin dynamics under simultaneous magic-angle spinning (MAS) and radio-frequency irradiation. Herein, the performances of several homonuclear rotary recoupling (HORROR)-based homonuclear dipolar recoupling sequences are evaluated for ²⁷ Al (spin-5/2). It is shown numerically and experimentally on mesoporous alumina that BR 2 2 1 outperforms the supercycled S₃ sequence and its pure double-quantum (DQ) (bracketed) version, [S₃ ], both in terms of DQ transfer efficiency and bandwidth. This result is surprising since the S₃ sequence is among the best low-power recoupling schemes for spin-1/2. The superiority of BR 2 2 1 is thoroughly explained, and the crucial role of radio-frequency offsets during its spin dynamics is highlighted. The analytical approximation of BR 2 2 1 , derived in an offset-toggling frame, clarifies the interplay between offset and DQ efficiency, namely, the benefits of off-resonance irradiation and the trough in DQ efficiency for BR 2 2 1 when the irradiation is central between two resonances, both for spin-1/2 and half-integer-spin quadrupolar nuclei. Additionally, density matrix propagations show that the BR 2 2 1 sequence, applied to quadrupolar nuclei subject to quadrupolar interaction much larger than radio-frequency frequency field, can create single- and multiple-quantum coherences for near on-resonance irradiation. This significantly perturbs the creation of DQ coherences between central transitions of neighboring quadrupolar nuclei. This effect explains the DQ efficiency trough for near on-resonance irradiation, in the case of both cross-correlation and autocorrelation peaks. Overall, this work aids experimental acquisition of homonuclear dipolar correlation spectra of half-integer-spin quadrupolar nuclei and provides theoretical insights towards improving recoupling schemes at high magnetic field and fast MAS.

Solid-state NMR studies of internuclear correlations for characterizing catalytic materials

Understanding the nature of heterogeneous catalysts is critical for the rational design of highly active catalysts, which necessitates in-depth characterization of the structure and properties of catalysts as well as reaction mechanisms. Solid-state NMR correlation spectroscopy is becoming increasingly recognized as a powerful tool in the study of catalysts and catalytic reactions because of its capability to provide atomic-level insights into the structure, interaction and dynamics of molecules by establishing connectivity and proximity between the same or distinct nuclei. This tutorial review focuses on the fundamentals and state-of-the-art applications of solid-state NMR correlation techniques to structural characterization of catalytic materials including zeolites, metal oxides, organometallic complexes and MOFs as well as relevant studies regarding synthesis, synergistic catalysis, host-guest interactions and reaction mechanisms. Various correlation NMR methods that have been employed to address the challenging issues in heterogeneous catalysis are highlighted. This review concludes with outlooks on the promising applications and potential developments of solid-state NMR correlation spectroscopy in catalytic materials.

Swelling layered minerals applications: A solid state NMR overview

Swelling layered clay minerals form an important sub-group of the phyllosilicate family. They are characterized by their ability to expand or contract in the presence or absence of water. This property makes them useful for a variety of applications, ranging from environmental technologies to heterogeneous catalysis, and including pharmaceutical and industrial applications. Solid State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (SS-NMR) has been extensively applied in the characterization of these materials, providing useful information on their dynamics and structure that is inaccessible using other characterization methods such as X-ray diffraction. In this review, we present the key contributions of SS-NMR to the understanding of the mechanisms that govern some of the main applications associated to swelling clay minerals. The article is divided in two parts. The first part presents SS-NMR conventional applications to layered clay minerals, while the second part comprises an in-depth review of the information that SS-NMR can provide about the different properties of swelling layered clay minerals.

Engineering the Distinct Structure Interface of Subnano-alumina Domains on Silica for Acidic Amorphous Silica-Alumina toward Biorefining

Amorphous silica-aluminas (ASAs) are important solid catalysts and supports for many industrially essential and sustainable processes, such as hydrocarbon transformation and biorefining. However, the wide distribution of acid strength on ASAs often results in undesired side reactions, lowering the product selectivity. Here we developed a strategy for the synthesis of a unique class of ASAs with unvarying strength of Brønsted acid sites (BAS) and Lewis acid sites (LAS) using double-flame-spray pyrolysis. Structural characterization using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy showed that the uniform acidity is due to a distinct nanostructure, characterized by a uniform interface of silica-alumina and homogeneously dispersed alumina domains. The BAS population density of as-prepared ASAs is up to 6 times higher than that obtained by classical methods. The BAS/LAS ratio, as well as the population densities of BAS and LAS of these ASAs, could be tuned in a broad range. In cyclohexanol dehydration, the uniform Brønsted acid strength provides a high selectivity to cyclohexene and a nearly linear correlation between acid site densities and cyclohexanol conversion. Moreover, the concerted action of these BAS and LAS leads to an excellent bifunctional Brønsted-Lewis acid catalyst for glucose dehydration, affording a superior 5-hydroxymethylfurfural yield.

Assessment of new symmetry-based dipolar recoupling schemes for homonuclear magnetization exchange between quadrupolar nuclei in two-dimensional correlation MAS NMR

We provide an extensive experimental and numerical evaluation of MQ-phase (S)M supercycles with M={3,4} of three groups of symmetry-based homonuclear dipolar recoupling rf-pulse sequences, [Formula: see text] , for establishing proximities among half-integer spin quadrupolar nuclei under moderately fast magic-angle-spinning (MAS) conditions in single-quantum-single-quantum (1Q-1Q) correlation NMR experiments. The relative merits of the (S)M schemes for variations in resonance offsets and rf-amplitude errors were assessed by numerically simulated magnetization transfers in spin-3/2 pairs with variable isotropic chemical shifts and quadrupolar coupling constants. Experimental demonstrations of ²³Na (spin-3/2) NMR on Na₂MoO₄·2H₂O and ²⁷Al (spin-5/2) NMR on AlPO-CJ19 [(NH₄)₂Al₄(PO₄)₄HPO₄·H₂O] are presented at 14.1 T and 24 kHz MAS. We recommend using the (SR2₂¹)3 or (SR2₂¹)4 supercycles for samples that exhibit small chemical-shift dispersions (<3 kHz), and any (SRN_N^N/2)3 scheme with N⩾10 for larger spreads of isotropic chemical shifts. However, because the (SRN_N^N/2)3 sequences recouple heteronuclear dipolar interactions, their application to proton-bearing samples requires high-power proton decoupling during the mixing period. Alternatively, the (SR2₄¹)3 and (SR2₄¹)4 schemes may be employed in the absence of proton decoupling, but with poorer compensation to resonance-offsets and rf-amplitude errors.

Acidity enhancement through synergy of penta- and tetra-coordinated aluminum species in amorphous silica networks

Amorphous silica-aluminas (ASAs) are widely used in acid-catalyzed C-H activation reactions and biomass conversions in large scale, which can be promoted by increasing the strength of surface Brønsted acid sites (BAS). Here, we demonstrate the first observation on a synergistic effect caused by two neighboring Al centers interacting with the same silanol group in flame-made ASAs with high Al content. The two close Al centers decrease the electron density on the silanol oxygen and thereby enhance its acidity, which is comparable to that of dealuminated zeolites, while ASAs with small or moderate Al contents provide mainly moderate acidity, much lower than that of zeolites. The ASAs with enhanced acidity exhibit outstanding performances in C-H bond activation of benzene and glucose dehydration to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, simultaneously with an excellent calcination stability and resistance to leaching, and they offer an interesting potential for a wide range of acid and multifunctional catalysis.

Nanoscale Surface Compositions and Structures Influence Boron Adsorption Properties of Anion Exchange Resins

Boron adsorption properties of poly(styrene-co-divinylbenzene) (PSDVB)-based anion-exchange resins with surface-grafted N-methyl-d-glucamine (NMDG) depend strongly on their local surface compositions, structures, and interfacial interactions. Distinct boron adsorption sites have been identified and quantified, and interactions between borate anions and hydroxyl groups of NMDG surface moieties have been established. A combination of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy were used to characterize the atomic-level compositions and structures that directly influence the adsorption of borate anions on the NMDG-functionalized resin surface. Surface-enhanced dynamic-nuclear-polarization (DNP)-NMR enabled dilute (3 atom % N) tertiary alkyl amines and quaternary ammonium ions of the NMDG groups to be detected and distinguished with unprecedented sensitivity and resolution at natural abundance ¹⁵N (0.4%). Two-dimensional (2D) solid-state ¹¹B{¹H}, ¹³C{¹H}, and ¹¹B{¹¹B} NMR analyses provide direct atomic-scale evidence for interactions of borate anions with the NMDG moieties on the resin surfaces, which form stable mono- and bischelate complexes. FT-IR spectra reveal displacements in the stretching vibrational frequencies associated with the O-H and N-H bonds of NMDG groups that corroborate the formation of chelate complexes on the resin surfaces. The atomic-level compositions and structures are related to boron adsorption properties of resin materials synthesized under different conditions, which have important remediation applications.

The Comparison between Single Atom Catalysis and Surface Organometallic Catalysis

Single atom catalysis (SAC) is a recent discipline of heterogeneous catalysis for which a single atom on a surface is able to carry out various catalytic reactions. A kind of revolution in heterogeneous catalysis by metals for which it was assumed that specific sites or defects of a nanoparticle were necessary to activate substrates in catalytic reactions. In another extreme of the spectrum, surface organometallic chemistry (SOMC), and, by extension, surface organometallic catalysis (SOMCat), have demonstrated that single atoms on a surface, but this time with specific ligands, could lead to a more predictive approach in heterogeneous catalysis. The predictive character of SOMCat was just the result of intuitive mechanisms derived from the elementary steps of molecular chemistry. This review article will compare the aspects of single atom catalysis and surface organometallic catalysis by considering several specific catalytic reactions, some of which exist for both fields, whereas others might see mutual overlap in the future. After a definition of both domains, a detailed approach of the methods, mostly modeling and spectroscopy, will be followed by a detailed analysis of catalytic reactions: hydrogenation, dehydrogenation, hydrogenolysis, oxidative dehydrogenation, alkane and cycloalkane metathesis, methane activation, metathetic oxidation, CO₂ activation to cyclic carbonates, imine metathesis, and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) reactions. A prospective resulting from present knowledge is showing the emergence of a new discipline from the overlap between the two areas.

Recent developments in MAS DNP-NMR of materials

Solid-state NMR spectroscopy is a powerful technique for the characterization of the atomic-level structure and dynamics of materials. Nevertheless, the use of this technique is often limited by its lack of sensitivity, which can prevent the observation of surfaces, defects or insensitive isotopes. Dynamic Nuclear Polarization (DNP) has been shown to improve by one to three orders of magnitude the sensitivity of NMR experiments on materials under Magic-Angle Spinning (MAS), at static magnetic field B₀ ≥ 5 T, conditions allowing for the acquisition of high-resolution spectra. The field of DNP-NMR spectroscopy of materials has undergone a rapid development in the last ten years, spurred notably by the availability of commercial DNP-NMR systems. We provide here an in-depth overview of MAS DNP-NMR studies of materials at high B₀ field. After a historical perspective of DNP of materials, we describe the DNP transfers under MAS, the transport of polarization by spin diffusion and the various contributions to the overall sensitivity of DNP-NMR experiments. We discuss the design of tailored polarizing agents and the sample preparation in the case of materials. We present the DNP-NMR hardware and the influence of key experimental parameters, such as microwave power, magnetic field, temperature and MAS frequency. We give an overview of the isotopes that have been detected by this technique, and the NMR methods that have been combined with DNP. Finally, we show how MAS DNP-NMR has been applied to gain new insights into the structure of organic, hybrid and inorganic materials with applications in fields, such as health, energy, catalysis, optoelectronics etc.

Direct dynamic nuclear polarization of 15N and 13C spins at 14.1 T using a trityl radical and magic angle spinning

We investigate solid-state dynamic nuclear polarization of 13C and 15N nuclei using monoradical trityl OX063 as a polarizing agent in a magnetic field of 14.1 T with magic angle spinning at ∼100 K. We monitored the field dependence of direct 13C and 15N polarization for frozen [13C, 15N] urea and achieved maximum absolute enhancement factors of 240 and 470, respectively. The field profiles are consistent with polarization of 15N spins via either the solid effect or the cross effect, and polarization of 13C spins via a combination of cross effect and solid effect. For microcrystalline, 15N-enriched tryptophan synthase sample containing trityl radical, a 1500-fold increase in 15N signal was observed under microwave irradiation. These results show the promise of trityl radicals and their derivatives for direct polarization of low gamma, spin-½ nuclei at high magnetic fields and suggest a novel approach for selectively polarizing specific moieties or for polarizing systems which have low levels of protonation.

The effects of sample conductivity on the efficacy of dynamic nuclear polarization for sensitivity enhancement in solid state NMR spectroscopy

In recent years dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) has greatly expanded the range of materials systems that can be studied by solid state NMR spectroscopy. To date, the majority of systems studied by DNP were insulating materials including organic and inorganic solids. However, many technologically-relevant materials used in energy conversion and storage systems are electrically conductive to some extent or are employed as composites containing conductive additives. Such materials introduce challenges in their study by DNP-NMR which include microwave absorption and sample heating that were not thoroughly investigated so far. Here we examine several commercial carbon allotropes, commonly employed as electrodes or conductive additives, and consider their effect on the extent of solvent polarization achieved in DNP from nitroxide biradicals. We then address the effect of sample conductivity systematically by studying a series of carbons with increasing electrical conductivity prepared via glucose carbonization. THz spectroscopy measurements are used to determine the extent of μw absorption. Our results show that while the DNP performance significantly drops in samples containing the highly conductive carbons, sufficient signal enhancement can still be achieved with some compromise on conductivity. Furthermore, we show that the deleterious effect of conductive additives on DNP enhancements can be partially overcome through pulse-DNP experiments.

Detection of the Surface of Crystalline Y2O3 Using Direct 89Y Dynamic Nuclear Polarization

Nuclei with low gyromagnetic ratio (γ) present a serious sensitivity challenge for nulear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Recently, dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) has shown great promise in overcoming this hurdle by indirect hyperpolarization (via ¹H) of these low-γ nuclei. Here we show that at a magnetic field of 9.4 T and cryogenic temperature of about 110 K direct DNP of ⁸⁹Y in a frozen solution of Y(NO₃)₃ can offer signal enhancements greater than 80 times using exogeneous trityl OX063 monoradical by satisfying the cross effect magic angle spinning (MAS) DNP mechanism. The large signal enhancement achieved permits ⁸⁹Y NMR spectra of Y₂O₃ and Gd₂O₃-added Y₂O₃ materials to be obtained quickly (∼30 min), revealing a range of surface yttrium hydroxyl groups in addition to the two octahedral yttrium signals of the core. The results open up promises for the observation of low gyromagnetic ratio nuclei and the detection of corresponding surface and (sub-)surface sites.

Alumina: discriminative analysis using 3D correlation of solid-state NMR parameters

Synthetic transition aluminas (χ, κ, θ, γ, δ, η, ρ) exhibit unique adsorptive and catalytic properties leading to numerous practical applications. Generated by thermal transformation of aluminium (oxy)hydroxides, structural differences between them arise from the variability of aluminium coordination numbers and degree of dehydroxylation. Unequivocal identification of these phases using X-ray diffraction has proven to be very difficult. Quadrupolar interactions of 27Al nuclei, highly sensitive to each site symmetry, render advanced 27Al solid-state NMR a unique spectroscopic tool to fingerprint and identify the different phases. In this paper, 27Al NMR spectroscopic data on alumina reported in literature are collected in a comprehensive library. Based on this dataset, a new 3D correlative method of NMR parameters is presented, enabling fingerprinting and identification of such phases. Providing a gold standard from crystalline samples, this approach demonstrates that any sort of crystalline, ill crystallized or amorphous, mixed periodic or aperiodically ordered transition alumina can now be assessed beyond the current limitations of characterisation. Adopting the presented approach as a standard characterisation of alumina samples will readily reveal NMR parameter-structure-property relations suitable to develop new or improved applications of alumina. Methodological guidance is provided to assist consistent implementation of this characterisation throughout the fields involved.

Tuning nuclear depolarization under MAS by electron T1e

The Cross-Effect (CE) Dynamic Nuclear Polarization (DNP) mechanism under Magic Angle Spinning (MAS) induces depletion or "depolarization" of the NMR signal, in the absence of microwave irradiation. In this study, the role of T_1e on nuclear depolarization under MAS was tested experimentally by systematically varying the local and global electron spin concentration using mono-, bi- and tri-radicals. These spin systems show different depolarization effects that systematically tracked with their different T_1e rates, consistent with theoretical predictions. In order to test whether the effect of T_1e is directly or indirectly convoluted with other spin parameters, the tri-radical system was doped with different concentrations of GdCl₃, only tuning the T_1e rates, while keeping other parameters unchanged. Gratifyingly, the changes in the depolarization factor tracked the changes in the T_1e rates. The experimental results are corroborated by quantum mechanics based numerical simulations which recapitulated the critical role of T_1e. Simulations showed that the relative orientation of the two g-tensors and e-e dipolar interaction tensors of the CE fulfilling spin pair also plays a major role in determining the extent of depolarization, besides the enhancement. This is expected as orientations influence the efficiency of the various level anti-crossings or the "rotor events" under MAS. However, experimental evaluation of the empirical spectral diffusion parameter at static condition showed that the local vs. global e-e dipolar interaction network is not a significant variable in the commonly used nitroxide radical system studied here, leaving T_1e rates as the major modulator of depolarization.

Materials Characterization by Dynamic Nuclear Polarization-Enhanced Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy

High-resolution solid-state NMR spectroscopy is a powerful tool for the study of organic and inorganic materials because it can directly probe the symmetry and structure at nuclear sites, the connectivity/bonding of atoms and precisely measure interatomic distances. However, NMR spectroscopy is hampered by intrinsically poor sensitivity; consequently, the application of NMR spectroscopy to many solid materials is often infeasible. High-field dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) has emerged as a technique to routinely enhance the sensitivity of solid-state NMR experiments by 1-3 orders of magnitude. This Perspective gives a general overview of how DNP-enhanced solid-state NMR spectroscopy can be applied to a variety of inorganic and organic materials. DNP-enhanced solid-state NMR experiments provide unique insights into the molecular structure, which makes it possible to form structure-activity relationships that ultimately assist in the rational design and improvement of materials.

Computationally Assisted Design of Polarizing Agents for Dynamic Nuclear Polarization Enhanced NMR: The AsymPol Family

We introduce a new family of highly efficient polarizing agents for dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP)-enhanced nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) applications, composed of asymmetric bis-nitroxides, in which a piperidine-based radical and a pyrrolinoxyl or a proxyl radical are linked together. The design of the AsymPol family was guided by the use of advanced simulations that allow computation of the impact of the radical structure on DNP efficiency. These simulations suggested the use of a relatively short linker with the intention to generate a sizable intramolecular electron dipolar coupling/ J-exchange interaction, while avoiding parallel nitroxide orientations. The characteristics of AsymPol were further tuned, for instance with the addition of a conjugated carbon-carbon double bond in the 5-membered ring to improve the rigidity and provide a favorable relative orientation, the replacement of methyls by spirocyclohexanolyl groups to slow the electron spin relaxation, and the introduction of phosphate groups to yield highly water-soluble dopants. An in-depth experimental and theoretical study for two members of the family, AsymPol and AsymPolPOK, is presented here. We report substantial sensitivity gains at both 9.4 and 18.8 T. The robust efficiency of this new family is further demonstrated through high-resolution surface characterization of an important industrial catalyst using fast sample spinning at 18.8 T. This work highlights a new direction for polarizing agent design and the critical importance of computations in this process.

Probing the surface of γ-Al2O3 by oxygen-17 dynamic nuclear polarization enhanced solid-state NMR spectroscopy

γ-Al2O3 is an important catalyst and catalyst support of industrial interest. Its acid/base characteristics are correlated to the surface structure, which has always been an issue of concern. In this work, the complex (sub-)surface oxygen species on surface-selectively labelled γ-Al2O3 were probed by 17O dynamic nuclear polarization surface-enhanced NMR spectroscopy (DNP-SENS). Direct 17O MAS and indirect 1H-17O cross-polarization (CP)/MAS DNP experiments enable observation of the (sub-)surface bare oxygen species and hydroxyl groups. In particular, a two-dimensional (2D) 17O 3QMAS DNP spectrum was for the first time achieved for γ-Al2O3, in which two O(Al)4 and one O(Al)3 bare oxygen species were identified. The 17O isotropic chemical shifts (δcs) vary from 56.7 to 81.0 ppm and the quadrupolar coupling constants (CQ) range from 0.6 to 2.5 MHz for the three oxygen species. The coordinatively unsaturated O(Al)3 species is characterized by a higher field chemical shift (56.7 ppm) and the largest CQ value (2.5 MHz) among these oxygen sites. 2D 1H → 17O HETCOR DNP experiments allow us to discriminate three bridging (Aln)-μ2-OH and two terminal (Aln)-μ1-OH hydroxyl groups. The structural features of the bare oxygen species and hydroxyl groups are similar for the γ-Al2O3 samples isotopically labelled by 17O2 gas or H217O. The results presented here show that the combination of surface-selective labelling and DNP-SENS is an effective approach for characterizing oxides with complex surface species.

Exploring Applications of Covalent Organic Frameworks: Homogeneous Reticulation of Radicals for Dynamic Nuclear Polarization

Rapid progress has been witnessed in the past decade in the fields of covalent organic frameworks (COFs) and dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP). In this contribution, we bridge these two fields by constructing radical-embedded COFs as promising DNP agents. Via polarization transfer from unpaired electrons to nuclei, DNP realizes significant enhancement of NMR signal intensities. One of the crucial issues in DNP is to screen for suitable radicals to act as efficient polarizing agents, the basic criteria for which are homogeneous distribution and fixed orientation of unpaired electrons. We therefore envisioned that the crystalline and porous structures of COFs, if evenly embedded with radicals, may work as a new "crystalline sponge" for DNP experiments. As a proof of concept, we constructed a series of proxyl-radical-embedded COFs (denoted as PR( x)-COFs) and successfully applied them to achieve substantial DNP enhancement. Benefiting from the bottom-up and multivariate synthetic strategies, proxyl radicals have been covalently reticulated, homogeneously distributed, and rigidly embedded into the crystalline and mesoporous frameworks with adjustable concentration ( x%). Excellent performance of PR( x)-COFs has been observed for DNP 1H, 13C, and 15N solid-state NMR enhancements. This contribution not only realizes the direct construction of radical COFs from radical monomers, but also explores the new application of COFs as DNP polarizing agents. Given that many radical COFs can therefore be rationally designed and facilely constructed with well-defined composition, distribution, and pore size, we expect that our effort will pave the way for utilizing radical COFs as standard polarizing agents in DNP NMR experiments.

Exploiting the interactions between the ruthenium Hoveyda-Grubbs catalyst and Al-modified mesoporous silica: the case of SBA15 vs. KCC-1

2^nd generation Hoveyda–Grubbs catalyst immobilized onto well-ordered 2D hexagonal (SBA15) and 3D fibrous (KCC-1) mesostructured silica displaying tetra-coordinated Al–H via Surface Organometallic Chemistry (SOMC).

Immobilization of the 2^nd generation Hoveyda–Grubbs catalyst HG-II onto well-ordered 2D hexagonal (SBA15) and 3D fibrous (KCC-1) mesostructured silica, which contained tetra-coordinated Al, has been investigated through the Surface Organometallic Chemistry (SOMC) methodology. The main interest of this study lies in the peculiarity of the silica supports, which display a well-defined tetrahedral aluminum hydride site displaying a strong Lewis acid character, [( Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019 ]]> Si–O–Si Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019 ]]> )( Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019 ]]> Si–O–)₂Al–H]. The resulting supported Hoveyda–Grubbs catalysts have been fully characterized by advanced solid state characterization techniques (FT-IR, ¹H and ¹³C solid state NMR, DNP-SENS, EF-TEM…). Together with DFT calculations, the immobilization of HG-II does not occur through the formation of a covalent bond between the complex and the Al-modified mesoporous silica as expected, but through an Al···Cl–[Ru]-coordination. It is not surprising that in functionalized olefin metathesis of diethyldiallyl malonate, DEDAM (liquid phase), leaching of the catalyst is observed which is not the case in non-functionalized olefin metathesis of propene (gas phase). Besides, the results obtained in propene metathesis with HG-II immobilized either on SBA15 (d_pore = 6 nm) or KCC-1 (d_pore = 4 or 8 nm) highlight the importance of the accessibility of the catalytic site. Therefore, we demonstrate that KCC-1 is a promising and suitable 3D mesoporous support to overcome the diffusion of reactants into the porous network of heterogeneous catalysts.

A quasi-optical and corrugated waveguide microwave transmission system for simultaneous dynamic nuclear polarization NMR on two separate 14.1 T spectrometers

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is an intrinsically insensitive technique, with Boltzmann distributions of nuclear spin states on the order of parts per million in conventional magnetic fields. To overcome this limitation, dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) can be used to gain up to three orders of magnitude in signal enhancement, which can decrease experimental time by up to six orders of magnitude. In DNP experiments, nuclear spin polarization is enhanced by transferring the relatively larger electron polarization to NMR active nuclei via microwave irradiation. Here, we describe the design and performance of a quasi-optical system enabling the use of a single 395 GHz gyrotron microwave source to simultaneously perform DNP experiments on two different 14.1 T (1H 600 MHz) NMR spectrometers: one configured for magic angle spinning (MAS) solid state NMR; the other configured for solution state NMR experiments. In particular, we describe how the high power microwave beam is split, transmitted, and manipulated between the two spectrometers. A 13C enhancement of 128 is achieved via the cross effect for alanine, using the nitroxide biradical AMUPol, under MAS-DNP conditions at 110 K, while a 31P enhancement of 160 is achieved via the Overhauser effect for triphenylphosphine using the monoradical BDPA under solution NMR conditions at room temperature. The latter result is the first demonstration of Overhauser DNP in the solution state at a field of 14.1 T (1H 600 MHz). Moreover these results have been produced with large sample volumes (∼100 µL, i.e. 3 mm diameter NMR tubes).

Oxygen-17 dynamic nuclear polarisation enhanced solid-state NMR spectroscopy at 18.8 T

We report ¹⁷O dynamic nuclear polarisation (DNP) enhanced solid-state NMR experiments at 18.8 T. Several formulations were investigated on the Mg(OH)₂ compound. A signal enhancement factor of 17 could be obtained when the solid particles were incorporated into a glassy o-terphenyl matrix doped with BDPA using the Overhauser polarisation transfer scheme whilst the cross effect mechanism enabled by TEKPol yielded a slightly lower enhancement but more time efficient data acquisition.

A novel fluoride-doped aluminium oxide catalyst with tunable Brønsted and Lewis acidity

The Graphical Abstract image shows the influence of fluoride doping and temperature on the catalytic activity.

Efficient cross-effect dynamic nuclear polarization without depolarization in high-resolution MAS NMR

Dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) has the potential to enhance the sensitivity of magic-angle spinning (MAS) NMR by many orders of magnitude and therefore to revolutionize atomic resolution structural analysis. Currently, the most widely used approach to DNP for studies of chemical, material, and biological systems involves the cross-effect (CE) mechanism, which relies on biradicals as polarizing agents. However, at high magnetic fields (≥5 T), the best biradicals used for CE MAS-DNP are still far from optimal, primarily because of the nuclear depolarization effects they induce. In the presence of bisnitroxide biradicals, magic-angle rotation results in a reverse CE that can deplete the initial proton Boltzmann polarization by more than a factor of 2. In this paper we show that these depolarization losses can be avoided by using a polarizing agent composed of a narrow-line trityl radical tethered to a broad-line TEMPO. Consequently, we show that a biocompatible trityl-nitroxide biradical, TEMTriPol-1, provides the highest MAS NMR sensitivity at ≥10 T, and its relative efficiency increases with the magnetic field strength. We use numerical simulations to explain the absence of depolarization for TEMTriPol-1 and its high efficiency, paving the way for the next generation of polarizing agents for DNP. We demonstrate the superior sensitivity enhancement using TEMTriPol-1 by recording the first solid-state 2D 13C-13C correlation spectrum at natural isotopic abundance at a magnetic field of 18.8 T.

Dynamic nuclear polarization for sensitivity enhancement in modern solid-state NMR

The field of dynamic nuclear polarization has undergone tremendous developments and diversification since its inception more than 6 decades ago. In this review we provide an in-depth overview of the relevant topics involved in DNP-enhanced MAS NMR spectroscopy. This includes the theoretical description of DNP mechanisms as well as of the polarization transfer pathways that can lead to a uniform or selective spreading of polarization between nuclear spins. Furthermore, we cover historical and state-of-the art aspects of dedicated instrumentation, polarizing agents, and optimization techniques for efficient MAS DNP. Finally, we present an extensive overview on applications in the fields of structural biology and materials science, which underlines that MAS DNP has moved far beyond the proof-of-concept stage and has become an important tool for research in these fields.

Efficient assignment and NMR analysis of an intact virus using sequential side-chain correlations and DNP sensitization

An experimental strategy has been developed to increase the efficiency of dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) in solid-state NMR studies. The method makes assignments simpler, faster, and more reliable via sequential correlations of both side-chain and Cα resonances. The approach is particularly suited to complex biomolecules and systems with significant chemical-shift degeneracy. It was designed to overcome the spectral congestion and line broadening that occur due to sample freezing at the cryogenic temperatures required for DNP. Nonuniform sampling (NUS) is incorporated to achieve time-efficient collection of multidimensional data. Additionally, fast (25 kHz) magic-angle spinning (MAS) provides optimal sensitivity and resolution. Data collected in <1 wk produced a virtually complete de novo assignment of the coat protein of Pf1 virus. The peak positions and linewidths for samples near 100 K are perturbed relative to those near 273 K. These temperature-induced perturbations are strongly correlated with hydration surfaces.

Donor-acceptor stacking arrangements in bulk and thin-film high-mobility conjugated polymers characterized using molecular modelling and MAS and surface-enhanced solid-state NMR spectroscopy

Conjugated polymers show promising properties as cheap, sustainable and solution-processable semiconductors. A key challenge in the development of these materials is to determine the polymer chain structure, conformation and packing in both the bulk polymer and in thin films typically used in devices. However, many characterisation techniques are unable to provide atomic-level structural information owing to the presence of disorder. Here, we use molecular modelling, magic-angle spinning (MAS) and dynamic nuclear polarisation surface-enhanced NMR spectroscopy (DNP SENS) to characterise the polymer backbone group conformations and packing arrangement in the high-mobility donor-acceptor copolymer diketopyrrolo-pyrrole-dithienylthieno[3,2-b]thiophene (DPP-DTT). Using conventional 1H and 13C solid-state MAS NMR coupled with density functional theory calculations and molecular dynamics simulations, we find that the bulk polymer adopts a highly planar backbone conformation with a laterally-shifted donor-on-acceptor stacking arrangement. DNP SENS enables acquisition of 13C NMR data for polymer films, where sensitivity is limiting owing to small sample volumes. The DNP signal enhancement enables a two-dimensional 1H-13C HETCOR spectrum to be recorded for a drop-cast polymer film, and a 13C CPMAS NMR spectrum to be recorded for a spin-coated thin-film with a thickness of only 400 nm. The results show that the same planar backbone structure and intermolecular stacking arrangement is preserved in the films following solution processing and annealing, thereby rationalizing the favourable device properties of DPP-DTT, and providing a protocol for the study of other thin film materials.

Adiabatic sweep cross-polarization magic-angle-spinning NMR of half-integer quadrupolar spins

The use of frequency-swept radiofrequency (rf) pulses for enhancing signals in the magic-angle spinning (MAS) spectra of half-integer quadrupolar nuclides was explored. The broadband adiabatic inversion cross-polarization magic-angle spinning (BRAIN-CPMAS) method, involving an adiabatic inversion pulse on the S-channel and a simultaneous rectangular spin-lock pulse on the I-channel (¹H), was applied to I(1/2)→S(3/2) systems. Optimal BRAIN-CPMAS matching conditions were found to involve low rf pulse strengths for both the I- and S-spin channels. At these low and easily attainable rf field strengths, level-crossing events among the energy levels |3/2〉,|1/2〉,|-1/2〉,|-3/2〉 that are known to complicate the CPMAS of quadrupolar nuclei, are mostly avoided. Zero- and double-quantum polarization transfer modes, akin to those we have observed for I(1/2)→S(1/2) polarization transfers, were evidenced by these analyses even in the presence of the quadrupolar interaction. ¹H-²³Na and ¹H-¹¹B BRAIN-CPMAS conditions were experimentally explored on model compounds by optimizing the width of the adiabatic sweep, as well as the rf pulse powers of the ¹H and ²³Na/¹¹B channels, for different MAS rates. The experimental data obtained on model compounds containing spin-3/2 nuclides, matched well predictions from numerical simulations and from an average Hamiltonian theory model. Extensions to half-integer spin nuclides with higher spins and potential applications of this BRAIN-CPMAS approach are discussed.

Reactive surface organometallic complexes observed using dynamic nuclear polarization surface enhanced NMR spectroscopy

Dynamic Nuclear Polarization Surface Enhanced NMR Spectroscopy (DNP SENS) is an emerging technique that allows access to high-sensitivity NMR spectra from surfaces. However, DNP SENS usually requires the use of radicals as an exogenous source of polarization, which has so far limited applications for organometallic surface species to those that do not react with the radicals. Here we show that reactive surface species can be studied if they are immobilized inside porous materials with suitably small windows, and if bulky nitroxide bi-radicals (here TEKPol) are used as the polarization source and which cannot enter the pores. The method is demonstrated by obtaining significant DNP enhancements from highly reactive complelxes [([triple bond, length as m-dash]Si-O-)W(Me)5] supported on MCM-41, and effects of pore size (6.0, 3.0 and 2.5 nm) on the performance are discussed.

Dendritic polarizing agents for DNP SENS

Dendrimer-shielded polarizing agents for the application of DNP SENS to reactive surfaces.

Dynamic Nuclear Polarization Surface Enhanced NMR Spectroscopy (DNP SENS) is an effective method to significantly improve solid-state NMR investigation of solid surfaces. The presence of unpaired electrons (polarizing agents) is crucial for DNP, but it has drawbacks such as leading to faster nuclear spin relaxation, or even reaction with the substrate under investigation. The latter can be a particular problem for heterogeneous catalysts. Here, we present a series of carbosilane-based dendritic polarizing agents, in which the bulky dendrimer can reduce the interaction between the solid surface and the free radical. We thereby preserve long nuclear T′₂ of the surface species, and even successfully enhance a reactive heterogeneous metathesis catalyst.

Dynamic nuclear polarization at 40 kHz magic angle spinning

DNP-enhanced solid-state NMR spectroscopy under magic angle spinning (MAS) is rapidly developing into a powerful analytical tool to investigate the structure of a wide range of solid materials, because it provides unsurpassed sensitivity gains. Most developments and applications of DNP MAS NMR were so far reported at moderate spinning frequencies (up to 14 kHz using 3.2 mm rotors). Here, using a 1.3 mm MAS DNP probe operating at 18.8 T and ∼100 K, we show that signal amplification factors can be increased by up to a factor two when using smaller volume rotors as compared to 3.2 mm rotors, and report enhancements of around 60 over a range of sample spinning rates from 10 to 40 kHz. Spinning at 40 kHz is also shown to increase (29)Si coherence lifetimes by a factor three as compared to 10 kHz, substantially increasing sensitivity in CPMG type experiments. The contribution of quenching effects to the overall sensitivity gain at very fast MAS is evaluated, and applications are reported on a functionalised mesostructured organic-inorganic material.

Tailoring of Polarizing Agents in the bTurea Series for Cross-Effect Dynamic Nuclear Polarization in Aqueous Media

A series of 18 nitroxide biradicals derived from bTurea has been prepared, and their enhancement factors ɛ ((1)H) in cross-effect dynamic nuclear polarization (CE DNP) NMR experiments at 9.4 and 14.1 T and 100 K in a DNP-optimized glycerol/water matrix ("DNP juice") have been studied. We observe that ɛ ((1)H) is strongly correlated with the substituents on the polarizing agents, and its trend is discussed in terms of different molecular parameters: solubility, average e-e distance, relative orientation of the nitroxide moieties, and electron spin relaxation times. We show that too short an e-e distance or too long a T1e can dramatically limit ɛ ((1)H). Our study also shows that the molecular structure of AMUPol is not optimal and its ɛ ((1)H) could be further improved through stronger interaction with the glassy matrix and a better orientation of the TEMPO moieties. A new AMUPol derivative introduced here provides a better ɛ ((1)H) than AMUPol itself (by a factor of ca. 1.2).

35Cl dynamic nuclear polarization solid-state NMR of active pharmaceutical ingredients

In this work, we show how to obtain efficient dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) enhanced ³⁵Cl solid-state NMR (SSNMR) spectra at 9.4 T and demonstrate how they can be used to characterize the molecular-level structure of hydrochloride salts of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in both bulk and low wt% API dosage forms.