Solid‐State NMR Characterization of Wilkinson’s Catalyst Immobilized in Mesoporous SBA‐3 Silica

The Wilkinson’s catalyst [RhCl(PPh₃)₃] has been immobilized inside the pores of amine functionalized mesoporous silica material SBA‐3 and The structure of the modified silica surface and the immobilized rhodium complex was determined by a combination of different solid‐state NMR methods. The successful modification of the silica surface was confirmed by ²⁹Si CP‐MAS NMR experiments. The presence of the T_n peaks confirms the successful functionalization of the support and shows the way of binding the organic groups to the surface of the mesopores. ³¹P‐³¹P J‐resolved 2D MAS NMR experiments were conducted in order to characterize the binding of the immobilized catalyst to the amine groups of the linkers attached to the silica surface. The pure catalyst exhibits a considerable ³¹P‐³¹P J‐coupling, well resolvable in 2D MAS NMR experiments. This J‐coupling was utilized to determine the binding mode of the catalyst to the linkers on the silica surface and the number of triphenylphosphine ligands that are replaced by coordination bonds to the amine groups. From the absence of any resolvable ³¹P‐³¹P J‐coupling in off‐magic‐angle‐spinning experiments, as well as slow‐spinning MAS experiments, it is concluded, that two triphenylphosphine ligands are replaced and that the catalyst is bonded to the silica surface through two linker molecules.     

Design of a Heterogeneous Catalyst Based on Cellulose Nanocrystals for Cyclopropanation: Synthesis and Solid‐State NMR Characterization

Heterogeneous dirhodium(II) catalysts based on environmentally benign and biocompatible cellulose nanocrystals (CNC‐Rh₂) as support material were obtained by ligand exchange between carboxyl groups on the CNC surface and Rh₂(OOCCF₃)₄, as was confirmed by solid‐state ¹⁹F and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. On average, two CF₃COO^? groups are replaced during ligand exchange, which is consistent with quantitative analysis by a combination of ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy and thermogravimetry. CNC‐Rh₂ catalysts performed well in a model cyclopropanation reaction, in spite of the low dirhodium(II) content on the CNC surface (0.23 mmol g^?1). The immobilization through covalent bonding combined with the separate locations of binding positions and active sites of CNC‐Rh₂ guarantees a high stability against leaching and allows the recovery and reuse of the catalyst during the cyclopropanation reaction.     

Solid‐state cross‐polarization magic angle spinning 13C and 15N NMR characterization of Sepia melanin,Sepia melanin free acid and Human hair melanin in comparison with several model compounds

This paper presents the high‐resolution ¹³C and ¹⁵N cross‐polarization magic angle spinning (CP/MAS) NMR spectra of three natural melanin solids: Sepia officinalis melanin, Sepia officinalis melanin free acid (MFA) and Human hair melanin. The functional group characterization of Human hair melanin by NMR is the first to date and the ¹³C CP/MAS NMR spectra reported here show improved resolution of chemically inequivalent sites. The observed spectral regions of the solid melanin samples can be assigned to the postulated structural unit of the polymer chain of Sepia MFA derived from solution‐state NMR studies. To assist in the assignment of functional groups in the spectra, the solid‐state CP/MAS NMR spectra are compared with high‐resolution ¹³C and ¹⁵N CP/MAS spectra of four model compounds, L ‐dopa, dopamine, 2‐methoxycarbonyl‐3‐ethoxycarbonyl‐4‐methylpyrrole and ethyl 5,6‐dimethoxyindole‐2‐carboxylate. To aid further in the assignment of protonated and non‐protonated carbon atoms, CP contact time dependence and non‐quaternary carbon suppression (NQS) experiments were performed on the melanin samples. The ¹⁵N CP/MAS spectra of the melanin samples confirm the presence of indole and pyrrole units in the melanin polymer chain. The NMR peaks observed in all of the melanin samples are relatively broad, presumably owing to the presence of free radicals. Electron spin resonance (ESR) data shows that all three melanin samples contain localized free radicals (g = 2.007), with the Sepia melanin containing a 10‐fold higher free radical density than Human hair melanin. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Enhanced Formaldehyde‐Vapor Adsorption Capacity of Polymeric Amine‐Incorporated Aminosilicas

Airborne formaldehyde, which is a highly problematic volatile organic compound (VOC) pollutant, is adsorbed by polymeric amine‐incorporated silicas (aminosilicas), and the factors that affect the adsorption performance are systematically investigated. Three different types of polymeric amines 1) poly(ethyleneimine) branched (PEIBR); 2) poly(ethyleneimine) linear (PEILI); and 3) poly(allylamine) (PAA) are impregnated into two types of porous silicas [SBA‐15 and mesocellular foam (MCF) silicas] with systematic changes of the amine loadings. The adsorption results demonstrate that the adsorption capacity increases along with the amine loading until the polymeric amines completely fill the silica pores. This results in the MCF silica, which has a larger pore volume and hence can accommodate more polymeric amine before completely filling the pore, giving materials that adsorb more formaldehyde, with the largest adsorption capacity, q, of up to 5.7 mmol_HCHO g^?1 among the samples studied herein. Of the three different types of polymers, PAA, comprised of 100 % primary amines, showed the highest amine efficiency μ (mmol_HCHO/mmol_N) for capturing formaldehyde. The chemical structures of the adsorbed formaldehyde are analyzed by ¹³C cross‐polarization magic‐angle spinning (CP‐MAS) NMR, and it is demonstrated that the adsorbed formaldehyde is chemically attached to the aminosilica surface, forming hemiaminal and imine species. Because the chemical adsorption of formaldehyde forms covalent bonds, it is not desorbed from the aminosilicas below 130 °C based on temperature‐programed‐desorption (TPD) analysis. The high formaldehyde‐adsorption capacity and stability of the trapped formaldehyde on the amine surface in this study reveal the potential utility of aminosilicas as formaldehyde abatement materials.     

A Novel Synthesis of the Macrocyclic Spermidine Alkaloid (+)‐(S)‐Dihydroperiphylline

A novel, short, and highly stereoselective synthesis of the macrocyclic spermidine alkaloid (+)‐(S)‐dihydroperiphylline ( 15 ) is described. The key synthetic steps were the stereoselective addition of the chiral amine 1 to the cinnamate 2 and cyclization of the bis[toluene‐4‐sulfonamide] precursor 12 in the presence of Cs₂CO₃ as a template. Unambiguous assignments of the signals in both the ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR spectra of 15 were achieved by 2D NMR spectra.     

Bifunctional Heterogeneous Catalysis of Silica–Alumina‐Supported Tertiary Amines with Controlled Acid–Base Interactions for Efficient 1,4‐Addition Reactions

We report the first tunable bifunctional surface of silica–alumina‐supported tertiary amines (SA–NEt₂) active for catalytic 1,4‐addition reactions of nitroalkanes and thiols to electron‐deficient alkenes. The 1,4‐addition reaction of nitroalkanes to electron‐deficient alkenes is one of the most useful carbon–carbon bond‐forming reactions and applicable toward a wide range of organic syntheses. The reaction between nitroethane and methyl vinyl ketone scarcely proceeded with either SA or homogeneous amines, and a mixture of SA and amines showed very low catalytic activity. In addition, undesirable side reactions occurred in the case of a strong base like sodium ethoxide employed as a catalytic reagent. Only the present SA‐supported amine (SA–NEt₂) catalyst enabled selective formation of a double‐alkylated product without promotions of side reactions such as an intramolecular cyclization reaction. The heterogeneous SA–NEt₂ catalyst was easily recovered from the reaction mixture by simple filtration and reusable with retention of its catalytic activity and selectivity. Furthermore, the SA–NEt₂ catalyst system was applicable to the addition reaction of other nitroalkanes and thiols to various electron‐deficient alkenes. The solid‐state magic‐angle spinning (MAS) NMR spectroscopic analyses, including variable‐contact‐time ¹³C cross‐polarization (CP)/MAS NMR spectroscopy, revealed that acid–base interactions between surface acid sites and immobilized amines can be controlled by pretreatment of SA at different temperatures. The catalytic activities for these addition reactions were strongly affected by the surface acid–base interactions.     

Solid‐state 1H → 19F/19F → 1H CP/MAS NMR study of poly(vinylidene fluoride)

Solid‐state ¹H → ¹⁹F and ¹⁹F → ¹H cross‐polarization magic angle spinning (CP/MAS) NMR spectra have been investigated for a semicrystalline fluoropolymer, namely poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF). The ¹H → ¹⁹F CP/MAS spectra can be fitted by five Lorentzian functions, and the amorphous peaks were selectively observed by the DIVAM CP pulse sequences. Solid‐state spin‐lock experiments showed significant differences in T_1ρ^F and T_1ρ^H between the crystalline and amorphous domains, and the effective time constants, T_HF* and T_1ρ*, which were estimated from the ¹H → ¹⁹F CP curves, also clarify the difference in the strengths of dipolar interactions. Heteronuclear dipolar oscillation behaviour is observed in both standard CP and ¹H → ¹⁹F inversion recovery CP (IRCP) experiments. The inverse ¹⁹F → ¹H CP‐MAS and ¹H → ¹⁹F CP‐drain MAS experiments gave complementary information to the standard ¹H → ¹⁹F CP/MAS spectra in a manner reported in our previous papers for other fluoropolymers. The value of N_F/N_H (where N is a spin density) estimated from the CP‐drain curve is within experimental error equal to unity, which is consistent with the chemical structure. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Solid‐state NMR spectroscopy of Pb‐rich apatite

Pb‐containing hydroxylapatite phases synthesized under aqueous conditions were investigated by X‐ray diffraction and solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques to determine the Pb, Ca distribution. ³¹P and ¹H magic‐angle spinning (MAS) NMR results indicate slight shifts of the isotropic chemical shift with increased Ca content and complex lineshapes at compositions with near equal amounts of Ca and Pb. ³¹P{²⁰⁷Pb} and ¹H{²⁰⁷Pb} rotational‐echo double resonance (REDOR) results for intermediate compositions show that resolved spectral features cannot be assigned simply in terms of local Ca, Pb configurations or coexisting phases. ²⁰⁷Pb MAS NMR spectra are easily obtained for these materials and contain well‐resolved resonances for crystallographically unique A1 and A2 Pb sites. Splitting of the A1 and A2 ²⁰⁷Pb resonances for pure hydroxyl‐pyromorphite (Pb₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂) compared to natural pyromorphite (Pb₅(PO₄)₃Cl) suggests symmetry reduced from hexagonal. We find that ²⁰⁷Pb{¹H} CP/MAS NMR is impractical in Pb‐rich hydroxylapatites due to fast ²⁰⁷Pb relaxation. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

13C and 15N CP/MAS, 1H–15N SCT CP/MAS and FTIR spectroscopy as tools for qualitative detection of the presence of zwitterionic and non‐ionic forms of ansa‐macrolide 3‐formylrifamycin SV and its derivatives in solid state

¹³C, ¹⁵N CP/MAS, including ¹H–¹³C and ¹H–¹⁵N short contact time CP/MAS experiments, and FTIR methods were applied for detailed structural characterization of ansa‐macrolides as 3‐formylrifamycin SV (1) and its derivatives (2–6) in crystal and in powder forms. Although HPLC chromatograms for 2/CH₃OH and 2/CH₃CCl₃ were the same for rifampicin crystals dissolved in respective solvents, the UV–vis data recorded for them were different in 300–375 nm region. Detailed solid state ¹³C and ¹⁵N CP/MAS NMR and FTIR studies revealed that rifampicin (2), in contrast to 3‐formylrifamycin SV (1) and its amino derivatives (3–6), can occur in pure non‐ionic or zwitterionic forms in crystal and in pure these forms or a mixture of them in a powder. Multinuclear CP/MAS and FTIR studies demonstrated also that 3–6 derivatives were present exclusively in pure zwitterionic forms, both in powder and in crystal. On the basis of the solid state NMR and FTIR studies, two conformers of 3‐formylrifamycin SV were detected in powder form due to the different orientations of carbonyl group of amide moiety. The PM6 molecular modeling at the semi‐empirical level of theory, allowed visualization the most energetically favorable non‐ionic and zwitterionic forms of 1–6 antibiotics, strongly stabilized via intramolecular H‐bonds. FTIR studies indicated that the originally adopted forms of these type antibiotics in crystal or in powder are stable in standard laboratory conditions in time. The results presented point to the fact that because of a possible presence of two forms of rifampicin (compound 2), quantification of the content of this antibiotic in relevant pharmaceuticals needs caution. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Diselenadiphosphetandiselenide und Triselenadiphospholandiselenide – Synthese und Charakterisierung mittels 31P‐ und 77Se‐Festkörper‐NMRSpektroskopie

Diselenadiphosphetane Diselenides and Triselenadiphospholane Diselenides – Synthesis and Characterization by ³¹P and ⁷⁷Se Solid‐State NMR Spectroscopy 1,3‐Diselena‐2,4‐diphosphetane‐2,4‐diselenides (RPSe₂)₂ with R = Me, Et, t‐Bu, Ph, 4‐Me₂NC₆H₄, 4‐MeOC₆H₄ have been synthesized by different methods. The insoluble compounds were investigated by ³¹P and ⁷⁷Se solid‐state NMR and the purity of the compounds has been checked by their CP MAS sideband NMR spectra. The structure of the investigated compounds has been confirmed by the isotropic and anisotropic values of the chemical shifts and the ¹J_P–Se coupling constants. In addition, two new 1,2,4‐triselena‐3,5‐diphospholane‐3,5‐diselenides, (RPSe₂)₂Se (R = Me, Et), formed under similar synthesis conditions, were investigated. Their structure was derived from the ⁷⁷Se satellites of ³¹P solution spectra and from solid‐state spectra. For (t‐BuPSe₂)₂ the experimentally obtained principal values of phosphorus and selenium shielding tensors are compared with values from IGLO calculations (HF und SOS DFPT). The calculated orientations of the principal axes are discussed.     

Polymorphie von Bis(dineopentoxyphosphorothioyl)diselenid – Korrelation von Röntgenstruktur und MAS‐NMR‐Daten

Polymorphism of Bis(dineopentoxyphosphorothioyl)diselenide – Correlation of X‐Ray Structure and MAS NMR Data The crystal structures of two polymorphs of the title compound were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray methods and refined both at room temperature and 250 K. A triclinic and a monoclinic phase were discovered and studied. Both modifications are centrosymmetrical layer structures. The numerically clearly significant differences were observed in unit cell volumes as well as in alternating disproportions of distances of atoms being chemically and crystallographically equivalent as a result of discontinuously distributed conformational changes along the single bonds. Phase transitions were not observed by cooling up to 240 K. Lowering temperatures single crystals of both phases decompose because of the considerable anisotropy of intermolecular interaction. The small differences of molecular structure produce slightly splitted ³¹P CP MAS NMR signals. A comparison of the chemical shifts from ¹³C CP MAS NMR spectra and from quantum‐chemical calculations leads to the conclusion that the inner rotation around CH₂–C_q bonds is not frozen in the solid state.     

Direct Estimation of the Surface Location of Immobilized Functional Groups for Concerted Catalysis Using a Probe Molecule

The location of active sites during concerted catalysis by a metal complex and tertiary amine on a SiO₂ surface is discussed based on the interaction between the functionalized SiO₂ surface and a probe molecule, p‐formyl phenylboronic acid. The interactions of the probe molecule with the surface functionalities, diamine ligand, and tertiary amine, were analyzed by FT‐IR and solid‐state ¹³C and ¹¹B MAS NMR. For the catalyst exhibiting high 1,4‐addition activity, the diamine ligand and tertiary amine base exist in closer proximity than in the catalyst with low activity.     

Bis(4‐methylbenzylammonium) tetrachloridozincate: a new noncentrosymmetric structure characterized by 13C CP–MAS NMR spectroscopy

A new noncentrosymmetric organic–inorganic hybrid material, (C₈H₁₂N)₂[ZnCl₄], has been synthesized as single crystals at room temperature and characterized by X‐ray diffraction and solid‐state NMR spectroscopy. Its novel structure consists of two 4‐methylbenzylammonium cations and one [ZnCl₄]²⁻ anion connected by N—H...Cl and C—H...Cl hydrogen bonds, two of which are three‐centre interactions. The Zn^II metal centre has a slightly distorted tetrahedral coordination geometry. Results from ¹³C CP–MAS NMR spectroscopy are in good agreement with the X‐ray structure. Density functional theory calculations allow the assignment of the carbon peaks to the independent crystallographic sites.     

Tailoring Coordination Polymers by Substituent Effect: A Bifunctional CoII‐Doped 1D‐Coordination Network with Electrochemical Water Oxidation and Nitroaromatics Sensing

Three Cd^II coordination polymers (CPs) were synthesized with a tripodal ligand N,N‘,N‘ ‘‐tris(4‐pyridinylmethyl)‐1,3,5‐benzenetricarboxamide in combination with three different substituted isophthalic acids with general formulas {[Cd₂( L )(NIP)₂(H₂O)₂].4H₂O}_n, (CP‐ 1 ), {[Cd₂( L )(AIP)₂(H₂O)₂].4H₂O}_n, (CP‐ 2 ) and {[Cd( L )(BIP) (H₂O)].4H₂O}_n, (CP‐ 3 ). The substituent groups on the co‐ligand had profound effect on the network topologies of the corresponding CPs as well as their properties. Out of the three, CP‐ 1 and 2 were found to form 3D networks whereas CP‐ 3 was a 1D linear chain with uncoordinated pyridyl sites. Due to its structural features CP‐ 3 was found to show interesting properties. The 1D CP containing uncoordinated pyridyl site exhibited an excellent ability for doping with Co^II which in turn acts as an efficient water oxidation electrocatalyst with required overpotential of 380 mV for an anodic current density of 1 mA cm^?2. The CP also exhibited luminescence‐based detection of nitroaromatics (LOD: 0.003 mm ) without any significant interference in presence of other organic compounds.     

Facile Chan‐Lam coupling using ferrocene tethered N‐heterocyclic carbene‐copper complex anchored on graphene

Ferrocene tethered N‐heterocyclic carbene‐copper complex anchored on graphene ([GrFemImi]NHC@Cu complex) has been synthesized by covalent grafting of ferrocenyl ionic liquid in the matrix of graphene followed by metallation with copper (I) iodide. The [GrFemImi]NHC@Cu complex has been characterized by fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR), fourier transform Raman (FT‐Raman), CP‐MAS ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX) analysis, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analysis and X‐ray diffractometer (XRD) analysis. This novel complex served as a robust heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of bioactive N‐aryl sulfonamides from variety of aryl boronic acids and sulfonyl azides in ethanol by Chan‐Lam coupling. Recyclability experiments were executed successfully for six consecutive runs.     

Anionic Gold(I) Complexes—Twelve‐ and Ten‐Vertex Monocarba‐closo‐borate Anions with Carbon–Gold σ Bonds

The anionic gold(I) complexes [1‐(Ph₃PAu)‐closo‐1‐CB₁₁H₁₁]^? ( 1 ), [1‐(Ph₃PAu)‐closo‐1‐CB₉H₉]^? ( 2 ), and [2‐(Ph₃PAu)‐closo‐2‐CB₉H₉]^? ( 3 ) with gold–carbon 2c–2e σ bonds have been prepared from [AuCl(PPh₃)] and the respective carba‐closo‐borate dianion. The anions have been isolated as their Cs⁺ salts and the corresponding [Et₄N]⁺ salts were obtained by salt metathesis reactions. The salt Cs‐ 3 isomerizes in the solid state and in solution at elevated temperatures to Cs‐ 2 with ΔH_iso=(?75±5) kJ mol^?1 (solid state) and ΔH^≠=(118±10) kJ mol^?1 (solution). The compounds were characterized by vibrational and multi‐NMR spectroscopies, mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. The crystal structures of [Et₄N]‐ 1 , [Et₄N]‐ 2 , and [Et₄N]‐ 3 were determined. The bonding parameters, NMR chemical shifts, and the isomerization enthalpy of Cs‐ 3 to Cs‐ 2 are compared to theoretical data.     

1D to 3D NMR study of microporous alumino‐phosphate AlPO4‐40

From one‐ to two‐ and three‐dimensional MAS NMR solid‐state experiments involving ³¹P and ²⁷Al, we show that the structure of microporous alumino‐phosphate AlPO₄‐40 contains at least four times more sites than expected, and we attribute two types of Al_IV sites. The newly described ²⁷Al‐³¹P MQ‐HMQC opens new possibilities of describing details of three‐dimensional bounded networks. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Stacking Structure of Confined 1‐Butanol in SBA‐15 Investigated by Solid‐State NMR Spectroscopy

Understanding the complex thermodynamic behavior of confined amphiphilic molecules in biological or mesoporous hosts requires detailed knowledge of the stacking structures. Here, we present detailed solid‐state NMR spectroscopic investigations on 1‐butanol molecules confined in the hydrophilic mesoporous SBA‐15 host. A range of NMR spectroscopic measurements comprising of ¹H spin–lattice (T₁), spin–spin (T₂) relaxation, ¹³C cross‐polarization (CP), and ¹H,¹H two‐dimensional nuclear Overhauser enhancement spectroscopy (¹H,¹H 2D NOESY) with the magic angle spinning (MAS) technique as well as static wide‐line ²H NMR spectra have been used to investigate the dynamics and to observe the stacking structure of confined 1‐butanol in SBA‐15. The results suggest that not only the molecular reorientation but also the exchange motions of confined molecules of 1‐butanol are extremely restricted in the confined space of the SBA‐15 pores. The dynamics of the confined molecules of 1‐butanol imply that the ¹H,¹H 2D NOESY should be an appropriate technique to observe the stacking structure of confined amphiphilc molecules. This study is the first to observe that a significant part of confined 1‐butanol molecules are orientated as tilted bilayered structures on the surface of the host SBA‐15 pores in a time‐average state by solid‐state NMR spectroscopy with the ¹H,¹H 2D NOESY technique.     

Zwitterionic Spirocyclic λ5Si‐Silicates with Two Bidentate Acetohydroximato(2–) or Benzohydroximato(2–) Ligands: Synthesis,Structure, and Dynamic Stereochemistry

The syntheses of the zwitterionic spirocyclic λ⁵Si‐silicates 7–14 are described. The chiral zwitterions contain a pentacoordinate (formally negatively charged) silicon atom and a tetracoordinate (formally positively charged) nitrogen atom, the ate and onium center being connected by an alkylene group. The zwitterions each contain two identical bidentate diolato(2–) ligands that formally derive from acetohydroximic acid or benzohydroximic acid. The stereochemistry and dynamic behavior of these compounds were investigated by experimental and theoretical methods. For this purpose, the zwitterionic λ⁵Si‐silicates 7–14 were studied by solution (¹H, ¹³C, ²⁹Si) and solid‐state (¹³C, ¹⁵N, and ²⁹Si CP/MAS) NMR experiments. In addition, compounds 7 , 8 , 10 , 11 , and 13 were structurally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The dynamic behavior (intramolecular enantiomerization) of 7 and 13 in solution was studied by VT ¹H NMR experiments. These experimental studies were completed by ab initio investigations of the related anionic model species 15 . The chiral compounds 7–14 exist as (λ)‐ and (δ)‐enantiomers in the solid state and in solution. The trigonal‐bipyramidal structure of the respective Si‐coordination polyhedra, with the two carbon‐linked oxygen atoms in the axial sites, is the energetically most favorable one. The (λ)‐ and (δ)‐enantiomers of 7–14 are configurationally stable in solution on the NMR time scale ([D₆]DMSO, room temperature). They undergo an intramolecular (λ)/(δ)‐enantiomerization (twist‐type mechanism), with an activation free enthalpy of δG^{ = 72–73 kJ mol^–1 (experimentally established for 7 and 13 ; calculated energy barrier for the model species 15 : 66.0 kJ mol^–1).     

A new method proposed for the determination of absolute configurations of α‐amino acids

Enantiopure α‐amino acids were converted to 4‐substituted 2‐aryl‐ and 2‐alkyl‐5(4H)‐oxazolones under partial racemization. These nonracemic mixtures were dissolved in CDCl₃, an equimolar amount of the chiral dirhodium complex [(R)? (+)? MTPA]₄ (MTPA‐H = Mosher's acid) was added, and the ¹H NMR spectra of the resulting samples were recorded (dirhodium method). The relative intensities of ¹H signals dispersed by the formation of diastereomeric adducts allow to determine the absolute configuration (AC) of the starting α‐amino acids. Binding atoms in the adducts were identified by comparing the ¹H and ¹³C chemical shifts of the oxazolones in the absence and presence of [(R)? (+)? MTPA]₄. Thereby, information about the scope and limits of this method can be extracted. A protocol how to use this method is presented. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.