Labeling and Probing the Silica Surface Using Mechanochemistry and 17O NMR Spectroscopy**

In recent years, there has been increasing interest in developing cost-efficient, fast, and user-friendly ¹⁷O enrichment protocols to help to understand the structure and reactivity of materials by using ¹⁷O NMR spectroscopy. Here, we show for the first time how ball milling (BM) can be used to selectively and efficiently enrich the surface of fumed silica, which is widely used at industrial scale. Short milling times (up to 15 min) allowed modulation of the enrichment level (up to ca. 5 %) without significantly changing the nature of the material. High-precision ¹⁷O compositions were measured at different milling times by using large-geometry secondary-ion mass spectrometry (LG-SIMS). High-resolution ¹⁷O NMR analyses (including at 35.2 T) allowed clear identification of the signals from siloxane (Si−O−Si) and silanols (Si−OH), while DNP analyses, performed by using direct ¹⁷O polarization and indirect ¹⁷O{¹H} CP excitation, agreed with selective labeling of the surface. Information on the distribution of Si−OH environments at the surface was obtained from 2D ¹H−¹⁷O D-HMQC correlations. Finally, the surface-labeled silica was reacted with titania and using ¹⁷O DNP, their common interface was probed and Si−O−Ti bonds identified.     

Oxygen/nitrogen ordering in lanthanum new phase (La3Si8N11O4)

High-resolution ¹⁷O NMR spectra have been collected for crystalline samples of lanthanum new phase, La₃Si₈N₁₁O₄. In conjunction with previously published ²⁹Si and ¹⁵N spectra obtained for this phase, and in the light of the high-quality crystal structure data reported recently, a more detailed interpretation of the NMR spectra is presented than was possible in previous studies. The non-bridging oxygens in the structure are responsible for the single sharp peak seen in the ¹⁷O spectrum at 188 ppm; the remaining oxygens, occupying bridging sites shared with nitrogen, show up only weakly on the ¹⁷O spectrum as a broad diffuse band centered around zero ppm. The peak at −57.3 ppm on the ²⁹Si spectrum is believed to correspond to an overlap of [SiN₄] and [SiON₃] environments, with the −68.2 ppm peak corresponding to an [SiO₂N₂] environment.     

Recent progress in investigations of surface structure and properties of solid oxide materials with nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

In this review, some of the latest research developments on the characterization of the structure and properties of oxide materials by applying solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), including the use of dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) NMR, ¹⁷O NMR combined with surface selective labeling and ³¹P NMR coupled with phosphorous-containing probe molecules, are discussed.     

Geminal 2J(29Si‐O‐29Si) couplings in oligosiloxanes and their relation to direct 1J(29Si‐13C) couplings

Absolute values of (79) geminal ²J(²⁹Si‐O‐²⁹Si) couplings were measured in an extensive series of (55) unstrained siloxanes dissolved in chloroform‐d. Signs of ²J(²⁹Si‐O‐²⁹Si) in some (9) silicon hydrides were determined relative to ¹J(²⁹Si‐¹H) which are known to be negative. It is supposed that positive sign of the ²J(²⁹Si‐O‐²⁹Si) coupling found in all studied hydrides is common to all siloxanes. Theoretical calculations for simple model compounds failed to reproduce this sign and so their predictions of bond length and angle dependences cannot be taken as reliable. Useful empirical correlations were found between the ²J(²⁹Si‐O‐²⁹Si) couplings on one side and the total number m of oxygen atoms bonded to the silicon atoms, sum of ²⁹Si chemical shifts or product of ¹J(²⁹Si‐¹³C) couplings on the other side. The significance of these correlations is briefly discussed. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Structural Insights into Peptides Bound to the Surface of Silica Nanopores

The structure and surface functionalization of biologically relevant silica-based hybrid materials was investigated by 2D solid-state NMR techniques combined with dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP). This approach was applied to a model system of mesoporous silica, which was modified through in-pore grafting of small peptides by solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS). To prove the covalent binding of the peptides on the surface, DNP-enhanced solid-state NMR was used for the detection of ¹⁵N NMR signals in natural abundance. DNP-enhanced heterocorrelation experiments with frequency switched Lee–Goldburg homonuclear proton decoupling (¹H–¹³C and ¹H–¹⁵N CP MAS FSLG HETCOR) were performed to verify the primary structure and configuration of the synthesized peptides. ¹H FSLG spectra and ¹H-²⁹Si FSLG HETCOR correlation spectra were recorded to investigate the orientation of the amino acid residues with respect to the silica surface. The combination of these NMR techniques provides detailed insights into the structure of amino acid functionalized hybrid compounds and allows for the understanding for each synthesis step during the in-pore SPPS.     

LR-selHSQMBC: Simultaneous Detection and Quantification of Very Weak Long-Range Heteronuclear NMR Correlations

The optimum detection and accurate measurement of longer-range (⁴J and higher) heteronuclear NMR correlations is described. The magnitude and/or the sign of a wide range of large and small long-range couplings can be simultaneously determined for protonated and non-protonated ¹³C and ¹⁵N nuclei using the LR-selHSQMBC experiment.     

Natural Abundance 17O DNP NMR Provides Precise O−H Distances and Insights into the Brønsted Acidity of Heterogeneous Catalysts

Heterogeneous Brønsted acid catalysts are tremendously important in industry, particularly in catalytic cracking processes. Here we show that these Brønsted acid sites can be directly observed at natural abundance by ¹⁷O DNP surface‐enhanced NMR spectroscopy (SENS). We additionally show that the O−H bond length in these catalysts can be measured with sub‐picometer precision, to enable a direct structural gauge of the lability of protons in a given material, which is correlated with the pH of the zero point of charge of the material. Experiments performed on materials impregnated with pyridine also allow for the direct detection of intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions through the lengthening of O−H bonds.     

Oxygen-17 nuclear magnetic resonance spectral investigation of 3-alkoxy-trans-3,4-disubstituted-thiolane 1,1-dioxides and related compounds

The ¹⁷O NMR spectra of 3-alkoxythiolane 1,1-dioxides indicate that the sulfonyl oxygens are diastereotopic but their chemical shift differences are essentially independent of the structure of the alkyl group in the alkoxy moiety. Eu(fod)₃ enhances the ¹⁷O chemical shift differences between the diastereotopic sulfonyl oxygens in 3-isopropoxythiolane 1,1-dioxide and shifts both oxygens upfield. α,β-Unsaturation deshields the sulfonyl oxygens in both five- and six-membered rings.     

29Si and 17O NMR investigations on Si−O−Ti bonds in solutions of diphenylsilanediol and titanium-tetra-isopropoxide

The structural units in diphenylsilanediol/titanium-isopropoxide solutions with molar ratio Si:Ti between 1:0.1 and 1:5 were examined by means of ²⁹Si and ¹⁷O NMR. The main component in solutions with molar ratio Si/Ti=1:0.1 is the chain-like octaphenyltetrasiloxanediol. With increasing Ti-isopropoxide content (1:0.25–1:05) Si–O–Ti units of the spirocyclic titanosiloxane Ti[O₅Si₄(C₆H₅)₈]₂ prevail in the solutions accompanied by the chain-like tetrasiloxanediol. The ²⁹Si NMR spectra of 1:1 solutions indicate a lot of different Si containing building units with chemical shifts mainly between-40 and-46 ppm. The signals with a chemical shift between-40 and-46 ppm are probably caused by Si atoms which are connected via oxygen bridges directly (Si–O–Ti) or indirectly (Si–O–Si–O–Ti) with titanium. Contrary to the 1:1 solutions only one or two different species with Si–O–Ti units are present in high Ti-alkoxide containing solutions (1:5). ²⁹Si and ¹⁷O NMR results reveal a quick hydrolysis of the Ti–O–Si bonds to titanium-oxo-hydroxo-polymers and phenylsiloxanediols or their isopropyl esters after the addition of water to the solutions. This separation into species only containing either Ti–O–Ti or Si–O–Si bonds can entail a decreased homogeneity of the reaction products on a molecular level.     

NMR study of the synthesis of 17O‐enriched acetic acid by hydrolysis of acetic anhydride with 17O‐enriched water

¹⁷O‐enriched acetic acid (2.5% in ¹⁷O) was synthesized by hydrolysis of acetic anhydride with ¹⁷O‐enriched water. The reaction was monitored by ¹⁷O and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Acetic anhydride, ¹⁷O‐enriched in both the ether and the carbonyl oxygens, was observed as an intermediate. This can be ascribed to competition between acetic acid and water for nucleophilic attack on acetic anhydride. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Harnessing Water to Enhance Quadrupolar NMR Spectroscopy and Imaging

¹⁷O and ¹⁴N are attractive targets for in vivo NMR spectroscopy and imaging, but low gyromagnetic ratios γ and fast spin relaxation complicate observations. This work explores indirect ways of detecting some of these sites with the help of proton-detected double resonance techniques. As standard coherence transfer methods are of limited use for such indirect detection, alternative routes for probing the quadrupolar spectra on ¹H were tested. These centered on modulating the broadening effects imparted onto protons adjacent to the low-γ species through J couplings through either continuous wave or spin-echo double-resonance decoupling/recoupling sequences. As in all cases, the changes imparted by these double-resonance strategies were small due to the fast relaxation undergone by the quadrupoles, the sensitivity of these approaches was amplified by transferring their effects onto the abundant water ¹H signal. These amplifications were mediated by the spontaneous exchanges that the labile ¹Hs bound to ¹⁷O or ¹⁴N undergo with the water protons. In experiments designed on the basis of double-resonance spin echoes, these enhancements were imparted by looping the transverse encodings together with multiple longitudinal storage periods, leading to decoupling-recoupling with exchange (D-REX) sequences. In experiments designed on the basis of continuous on/off quadrupolar decoupling, these solvent exchanges were incorporated into chemical-exchange saturation transfer schemes, leading to decoupling-recoupling with saturation transfer (D-REST) sequences. Both of these variants harnessed sizable proportions of the easily detectable water signals, in order to characterize the NMR spectra and/or to image with atomic-site specificity the ¹⁷O and ¹⁴N species.     

Design of Homogeneous Hybrid Materials through a Careful Control of the Synthetic Procedure

Sols for the synthesis of hybrid organic-inorganic materials have been prepared by mixing zirconium n-propoxide and methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (MPS). The synthesis was done in two steps: a 15 minute hydrolysis of a MPS : H₂O : EtOH 1 : 1 : 2 mixture and then addition of 0.5 molar equivalent of zirconium alkoxide. All the experimental parameters—hydrolysis ratio, pH, dilution, pre-hydrolysis time—have been optimized through a detailed ²⁹ Si and ¹⁷O NMR analysis. Immediately after the addition, 94% of the initial water was consumed for the formation of Si–O–Zr bridges. Cleavage of these bonds, associated with formation of Si–O–Si and Zr–O–Zr bridges are then observed during the aging time.     

The Detection and Reactivity of Silanols and Silanes Using Hyperpolarized 29Si Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

Silanols and silanes are key precursors and intermediates for the synthesis of silicon‐based materials. While their characterization and quantification by ²⁹Si NMR spectroscopy has received significant attention, it is a technique that is limited by the low natural abundance of ²⁹Si and its low sensitivity. Here, we describe a method using p‐H₂ to hyperpolarize ²⁹Si. The observed signal enhancements, approaching 3000‐fold at 11.7 T, would take many days of measurement for comparable results under Boltzmann conditions. The resulting signals were exploited to monitor the rapid reaction of tris(tert‐butoxy)silanol with triflic anhydride in a T₁‐corrected process that allows for rapid quantification. These results demonstrate a novel route to quantify dynamic processes and intermediates in the synthesis of silicon materials.     

17O NMR studies of ortho‐substituent effects in substituted phenyl tosylates

¹⁷O NMR spectra for 35 ortho‐, para‐, and meta‐substituted phenyl tosylates (phenyl 4‐methylbenzenesulfonates), 4‐CH₃‐C₆H₄SO₂OC₆H₄‐X, at natural abundance in acetonitrile at 50 °C were recorded. The ¹⁷O NMR chemical shifts, δ(¹⁷O), of the sulfonyl (SO₂) and the single‐bonded phenoxy (OPh) oxygens for para and meta derivatives correlated well with dual substituent parameter treatment using the Taft inductive, σ_I, and resonance, σº_R, constants. The influence of ortho substituents on the sulfonyl oxygen and the single‐bonded phenoxy oxygen chemical shifts, δ(¹⁷O), was found to be nicely described by the Charton equation: δ(¹⁷O)_ortho = δ(¹⁷O)_H + ρ_Iσ_I + ρ_Rσ°_R + δE_s^B when the data treatment was performed separately for electron‐donating +R substituents and electron‐attracting ?R substituents. Electron‐attracting meta and para substituents in the phenyl moiety caused deshielding while the electron‐donating meta, para and ortho +R substituents produce shielding effects on the sulfonyl (SO₂) and single‐bonded phenoxy (OPh) oxygens. The influence of ortho inductive and resonance effects in the case of +R substituents was found to be approximately twice higher than the corresponding influence from the para position. Due to the steric effect of ortho substituents a decrease in shielding of the oxygens at the sulfonyl group (δE_s^B > 0, E_s^B < 0) was detected. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Quinolinium‐Based Fluorescent Probes for the Detection of Thiophenols in Environmental Samples and Living Cells

A new type of fluorescent probes for thiophenols, 6HQM‐DNP and 7HQM‐DNP, containing 6‐ or 7‐hydroxy quinonlinium as fluorophore and 2,4‐dinitrophenoxy (DNP) as nucleophilic recognition unit were constructed. As ethers, these non‐fluorescent probe molecules can release the corresponding fluorescent quinolinium (6HQM and 7HQM) through aromatic nucleophilic substitution (S_NAr) by thiolate anions from thiophenols. The sensing reaction is highly sensitive (detection limit of 8 nM for 7HQM‐DNP) and highly selective to thiophenols over aliphatic thiols and other nucleophiles under neutral conditions (pH 7.3). The probes respond rapidly to thiophenols, with second‐order rate constants k=45 M ^?1 s^?1 for 7HQM‐DNP and 24 M ^?1 s^?1 for 6HQM‐DNP. Furthermore, the selective detection of thiophenols in living cells by 7HQM‐DNP was demonstrated by confocal fluorescence imaging. In addition, these quinolinium salts show excellent chemical and thermal stability. In conclusion, this type of probes may find use in the detection of thiophenols in environmental samples and biosystems.     

Reactivity of Extra‐framework Species of USY Zeolites in Alkaline Medium

Zeolites of type USY (ultra‐stable Y) were obtained by steaming of NH₄NaY modification. Samples were modified by subsequent alkaline treatment in KOH solution. USY and USY‐KOH were characterised by chemical element analysis, XRD, IR, ²⁹Al and ²⁹Si MAS NMR spectroscopic measurements. Correct silicon to aluminium ratios (Si/Al) were determined by XRD and IR (double ring vibration w_DR) data whereas values calculated according to data of ²⁹Si MAS NMR and IR spectroscopy (asymmetrical TOT valence vibration w_TOT) appeared to be too high., In the latter case, the signals of the zeolite framework were strongly superimposed by that of extra‐framework silica gel (EFSi) formed during steaming. It was found that alkaline leaching induces desilication of silicon‐rich area of the zeolite framework and partial dissolution of EFSi. Silicate ions of both react with likewise dissolved extra‐framework aluminium (EFAl) to form X‐ray amorphous aluminosilicate. Consequently, the superposition of the ²⁹Si MAS NMR signals of the zeolite framework by silica gel was reduced for Q⁴(0Al) but increased for Q⁴ (2Al) and Q⁴(3Al) structure units. A reinsertion of EFAl into the zeolite framework has not been observed.     

Highly Dispersed SiOx/Al2O3 Catalysts Illuminate the Reactivity of Isolated Silanol Sites

The reaction of γ‐alumina with tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) vapor at low temperatures selectively yields monomeric SiO_x species on the alumina surface. These isolated (‐AlO)₃Si(OH) sites are characterized by PXRD, XPS, DRIFTS of adsorbed NH₃, CO, and pyridine, and ²⁹Si and ²⁷Al DNP‐enhanced solid‐state NMR spectroscopy. The formation of isolated sites suggests that TEOS reacts preferentially at strong Lewis acid sites on the γ‐Al₂O₃ surface, functionalizing the surface with “mild” Brønsted acid sites. For liquid‐phase catalytic cyclohexanol dehydration, these SiO_x sites exhibit up to 3.5‐fold higher specific activity than the parent alumina with identical selectivity.     

Improved Si NMR detection of sterically protected fluorosilanes using the Si(F)-INEPT technique

The ²⁹Si-¹⁹F INEPT NMR method has been applied to significantly reduce the recording time of ²⁹Si NMR spectra of sterically shielded fluorosilanes. This technique furthermore improves the signal to noise ratio to a degree which allows the simultaneous detection of minor byproducts which are below the detection limit using direct acquisition.     

Silicon-29 and carbon-13 n.m.r. studies of organosilicon chemistry. VIII—Assignment of the 29Si and related 1H resonances of trimethylsilylated sugars by deuteration and shift reagent studies

Two techniques were investigated for assigning the ²⁹Si n.m.r. spectra of trimethylsilylated sugars. Specific deuteration, together with selective proton decoupling experiments, has allowed the complete assignment for methyl 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-trimethylsilyl-α-D-glucopyranoside. Double resonance spectra obtained in the presence of a lanthanide shift reagent, Pr(dpm)₃, have enabled the ²⁹Si and ¹H signals for the -SiMe₃, groups of methyl 2,3,4-tri-O-trimethylsilyl-α-D-glucopyranoside, to be linked. A complete and unambiguous assignment of the ²⁹Si spectrum for this molecule was obtained by selective deuteration, thus giving an unequivocal assignment of the –SiMe₃ proton resonances also. Definitive data regarding the effects of Pr(dpm)₃ on the ²⁹Si and ¹H resonances of the various –SiMe₃ groups of methyl 2,3,4-tri-O-trimethylsilyl-α-D-glucopyranoside are therefore available.     

On the detection of both carbonyl and hydroxyl oxygens in amino acid derivatives: a O NMR reinvestigation

The hypothesis and the conclusions of previous ¹⁷O NMR studies on the detection of both oxygens of the carboxylic group of Boc-[¹⁷O]Tyr(2,6-diClBzl)-OH in DMSO-d₆ solution (Tetrahedron Lett.2000, 41, 8651) are reconsidered. The appearance of two discrete resonances at 340 and 175 ppm of this protected amino acid is not now attributed: (a) to the reduction of the intramolecular conformational exchange rate, due to the effect of intramolecular hydrogen bonding of the hydroxy part of the carboxyl with the carbonyl oxygen of the Boc-group, and (b) to the effect of solvent viscosity, suggested in the mentioned study. The cause of this phenomenon is now attributed to a strong hydrogen bonding of the polar proton acceptor solvent DMSO with the carboxy group, which effectively reduces the proton exchange rate, thus becoming slow on the ¹⁷O NMR time scale.