Local and global dynamics in the glass-forming di-isobutyl phthalate as studied by H NMR

Spin-lattice relaxation times T₁ and T_1ρ as well as ¹H NMR spectra have been employed to study the dynamics of the glass-forming di-isobutyl phthalate in the temperature range extending from 100 K, through the glass transition temperature T_g, up to 340 K. Below T_g NMR relaxation is governed by local dynamics and may be attributed to rotation of methyl groups at low temperatures and to motion of isobutyl groups in the intermediate temperature interval. Above T_g the main relaxation mechanism is provided by overall molecular motion. The observed relaxation behavior is explained by motional models assuming asymmetrical distributions of correlation times. The motional parameters obtained from Davidson-Cole distribution, which yields the best fit of the data at all temperatures are given.     

Molecular dynamics in stiff ionene below glass transition

Temperature dependences of proton and fluorine second moments and spin-lattice relaxation time T₁ below glass transition were measured in glassy “I-Do,Pip-Me-BF₄” ionene. The existence of motions of methyl groups and segments linking the cationic centers, namely piperidinium rings and trimethylene groups, for the polymeric part of ionene were established. Isotropic rotation of the counter-ion was evidenced and its limited diffusion suggested. To interpret the proton and fluorine relaxation data, a Davidson-Cole distribution of correlation times was assumed.     

Protein Backbone N Relaxation Rates as a Tool for the Diagnosis of Structure Quality

In the work reported herein we define a structure validation factor that depends on protein backbone ¹⁵N relaxation rates. This is an alternative method to the previously defined quality factors derived from anisotropic chemical shifts or residual dipolar couplings. We have used the structure dependence of ¹⁵N relaxation rates of anisotropically tumbling proteins to calculate this structure diagnosis factor and have used it to demonstrate the improvement of protein structures refined with residual dipolar couplings.     

A new approach to visualizing spectral density functions and deriving motional correlation time distributions: applications to an alpha-helix-forming peptide and to a well-folded protein

A new approach to visualizing spectral densities and analyzing NMR relaxation data has been developed. By plotting the spectral density function, J(omega), as F(omega)=2 omega J(omega) on the log-log scale, the distribution of motional correlation times can be easily visualized. F(omega) is calculated from experimental data using a multi-Lorentzian expansion that is insensitive to the number of Lorentzians used and allows contributions from overall tumbling and internal motions to be separated without explicitly determining values for correlation times and their weighting coefficients. To demonstrate the approach, (15)N and (13)C NMR relaxation data have been analyzed for backbone NH and C(alpha)H groups in an alpha-helix-forming peptide 17mer and in a well-folded 138-residue protein, and the functions F(omega) have been calculated and deconvoluted for contributions from overall tumbling and internal motions. Overall tumbling correlation time distribution maxima yield essentially the same overall correlation times obtained using the Lipari-Szabo model and other standard NMR relaxation data analyses. Internal motional correlational times for NH and C(alpha)H bond motions fall in the range from 100 ps to about 1 ns. Slower overall molecular tumbling leads to better separation of internal motional correlation time distributions from those of overall tumbling. The usefulness of the approach rests in its ability to visualize spectral densities and to define and separate frequency distributions for molecular motions.     

NMR STRUCTURAL INVESTIGATION OF THE BIOTIN-AVIDIN COMPLEX: A 13C NMR PARAMAGNETIC RELAXATION STUDY

The paramagnetic contributions to the spin-lattice relaxation rates of biotin ¹³C nuclei, induced by the presence in the water/DMSO solution of the TEMPOL nitroxide, have been analysed in the interaction with avidin. The paramagnetic relaxation data, obtained at different temperatures, indicate that the average solvent/spin-label exposure of biotin carbons is consistent with the conformational features previously observed for the complex in the crystal. The analysis of the paramagnetic perturbation profiles, derived from ¹³C spin lattice relaxation measurements, seems to be highly informative of the sterical aspects of interaction processes of large biopolymers with their ligands.     

Solution Structures of Pyrophthalones,III: Complementary Application of 14N/16N-NMR Spectroscopy to Study Solution Structures of Pyrophthalones

The solution structures of nine pyrophthalone-type substances are determined by ¹⁴N / ¹⁵N-NMR-spectroscopy. Mostly depending on the conditions (solvent, solubility, chemical nature of the compound), both isotopes can be used complementary to obtain reliable data. Additionally, for some compounds ¹⁵N solid state NMR data are available and demonstrate the structural identity in solution and the solid state.     

Ion and polymer chain motion in a superionic sodium-poly (ethylene oxide) complex

Magnetic resonance measurements have been performed on the ion conducting complex poly(ethylene oxide)_4.5NaClO. Low temperature²³Na NMR spectra suggest a highly symmetric environment for the Na-ions as evidenced by the absence of quadrupole broadening. Proton spin-lattice relaxation measurements provide an estimate of ~4×10^?10 sec for the polymer chain motional correlation time at T = 69C. Correlation times of tumbling paramagnetic probe molecule have been extracted from EPR spectra of¹⁵N-enriched TANOL-doped complex. Changes in polymer chain mobility above T = 120C are inferred from the results and may be consistent with previous scanning calorimetry measurements.     

Study on ethyl groups with two different orientations in [N(C2H5)4]2CuBr4

The crystal structure and phase transition temperature of [N(C₂H₅)₄]₂CuBr₄ are studied using X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC); measurements revealed a tetragonal structure and the two phase transition temperatures T_C of 204 K and 255.5 K. The structural geometry near T_C is discussed in terms of the chemical shifts for ¹H magic angle spinning (MAS) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and ¹³C cross-polarization (CP)/MAS NMR. The two inequivalent ethyl groups are distinguishable by the ¹³C NMR spectrum. The molecular motions are discussed in terms of the spin–lattice relaxation times T_1ρ in the rotating frame for ¹H MAS NMR and ¹³C CP/MAS NMR. The T_1ρ results reveal that the ethyl groups undergo tumbling motion, and furthermore that the ethyl groups are highly mobile.     

Structural Assignment of Isomeric S‐ and S,N‐1‐Alkoxycarbonylalkylated 6‐Amino‐2‐thiouracil Derivatives by Means of 1H and 13C NMR Spectroscopy

Abstract

The structures of new isomeric 2‐alkoxycarbonylalkylthio‐ and 2‐alkoxy‐ carbonylalkylthio‐1‐alkoxycarbonylalkyl‐6‐aminouracils (1–21) have been established on the basis of the ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopic data. The ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectra of 1–21 have been fully assigned by a combination of two‐dimensional experiments [heteronuclear multiple quantum coherence (HMQC) and heteronuclear multiple bond correlation (HMBC)]. The ¹³C NMR spectra have been shown to be able to differentiate between isomers.     

Study of nuclear quadrupole interactions and quadrupole Raman processes of Ga and Ga in a β-Ga2O3:Cr single crystal

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data and the spin–lattice relaxation times, T₁, of ⁶⁹Ga and ⁷¹Ga nuclei in a β-Ga₂O₃:Cr³⁺ single crystal were obtained using FT NMR spectrometry. Four sets of NMR spectra for ⁶⁹Ga (I = 3/2) and ⁷¹Ga (I = 3/2) were obtained in the crystallographic planes. The ⁶⁹Ga and ⁷¹Ga nuclei each had two chemically inequivalent Ga_I and Ga_II centers. Each of the ⁶⁹Ga and ⁷¹Ga isotopes yielded two different central NMR resonance lines originating from Ga_I and Ga_II sites. The nuclear quadrupole coupling constants and asymmetry parameters of ⁶⁹Ga_I, ⁶⁹Ga_II, ⁷¹Ga_I, and ⁷¹Ga_II centers in a β-Ga₂O₃:Cr³⁺ crystal were obtained. Analysis of the EFG tensor principal axes (PAs) for Ga nuclei and the ZFS tensor PAs for the Cr³⁺ ion confirmed that the Cr³⁺ paramagnetic impurity ion substitutes for the Ga³⁺ ion in the oxygen octahedron. In addition, the temperature dependencies of the ⁶⁹Ga and ⁷¹Ga relaxation rates were consistent with Raman processes, as T₁⁻¹ ∝ T². Even though the Cr³⁺ impurities are paramagnetic, the relaxations were dominated by electric quadrupole interactions of the nuclear spins in the temperature range investigated.     

Mixing apparatus for preparing NMR samples under pressure

The size limit for protein NMR spectroscopy in solution arises in large part from line broadening caused by slow molecular tumbling. One way to alleviate this problem is to increase the effective tumbling rate by reducing the viscosity of the solvent. Because proteins generally require an aqueous environment to remain folded, one approach has been to encapsulate hydrated proteins in reverse micelles formed by a detergent and to dissolve the encapsulated protein in a low-viscosity fluid. The high volatility of suitable low-viscosity fluids requires that the samples be prepared and maintained under pressure. We describe a novel apparatus used for the preparation of such samples. The apparatus includes a chamber for mixing the detergent with the low-viscosity solvent, a second chamber for mixing this with hydrated protein, and a 5-mm (o.d.) zirconium oxide NMR sample tube with shut-off valves designed to contain pressures on the order of 10 bar, sufficient for liquid propane. Liquids are moved from one location to another by introducing minor pressure differentials between two pressurization vessels. We discuss the operation of this apparatus and illustrate this with data on a 30-kDa protein complex (chymotrypsin:turkey ovomucoid third domain) encapsulated in reverse micelles of the detergent, sodium bis (2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate, aerosol-ot (AOT), dissolved in liquid propane.     

Nuclear magnetic resonance in contemporary art: the case of “Moon Surface” by Turcato

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) methodologies were applied to characterize the constitutive materials and the state of degradation of a contemporary painting. The investigation was mandatory to plan a suitable restoration. Noninvasive, portable NMR allowed the detection of degraded regions of the painting based on the measurement of longitudinal relaxation time. A few samples were investigated by high resolution solid state NMR and NMR in solution, which allowed us to identify the polyurethane constituting the artefact, to investigate the microstructure in detail, and to assess that the degradation process mostly affected the ethylene units used to cap the polypropylene oxide polymeric chain. As a matter of fact, a shortening of longitudinal relaxation time was accompanied by a degradation of ethylene units. The degradation of the inorganic loading was investigated by ²⁷Al MAS, which evidenced the absence of penta-coordinated aluminum in degraded samples.     

Direct Determination of Motional Correlation Times by 1D MAS and 2D Exchange NMR Techniques

One- and two-dimensional static and magic-angle spinning (MAS) exchange NMR experiments for quantifying slow (τ_c> 1 ms) molecular reorientation dynamics are analyzed, emphasizing the extent to which motional correlation times can be extracteddirectlyfrom the experimental data. The static two-dimensional (2D) exchange NMR experiment provides geometric information, as well as exchange time scales via straightforward and model-free application of Legendre-type orientational autocorrelation functions, particularly for axially symmetric interaction tensors, as often encountered in solid-state²H and¹³C NMR. Under conditions of MAS, increased sensitivity yields higher signal-to-noise spectra, with concomitant improvement in the precision and speed of correlation time measurements, although at the expense of reduced angular (geometric) resolution. For random jump motions, one-dimensional (1D)exchange-inducedsidebands (EIS)¹³C NMR and the recently developed ODESSA and time-reverse ODESSA experiments complement the static and MAS two-dimensional exchange NMR experiments by providing faster means of obtaining motional correlation times. For each of these experiments, the correlation time of a dynamic process may be obtained from a simple exponential fit to the integrated peak intensities measured as a function of mixing time. This is demonstrated on polycrystalline dimethylsulfone, where the reorientation rates from EIS, ODESSA, time-reverse ODESSA, and 2D exchange are shown to be equivalent and consistent with literature values. In the analysis, the advantages and limitations of the different methods are compared and discussed.     

The Oil-Swelling Processes Characterization in Rubbers Studied by <Superscript>1</Superscript>H NMR Relaxation

The swelling processes of rubbers on the basis of ethylene–propylene SKEPT-40, butadiene–nitrile SKN-18, and fluorine SKF-26 caoutchoucs in transformer oil GK were investigated by ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and ¹H NMR relaxation techniques. The main rubber-swelling singularities were developed. It was shown that polymeric affinity to oil decreases in the next rubber row—ethylene–propylene, fluorine, and butadiene–nitrile. The oil molecular mobility is on the contrary increased in the same row. The surface NMR probe express test of oil amount in real production was introduced.     

Two-Dimensional Dynamic-Director C NMR of Liquid Crystals

A novel nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiment for facilitating the resolution and assignment of liquid crystalline ¹³C NMR spectra is described. The method involves the motor-driven reorientation of the liquid crystalline director, in synchrony with the acquisition of a 2D chemical shift correlation spectrum. By monitoring in this fashion the ¹³C NMR evolution of spins in the liquid crystal at two different director orientations with respect to the magnetic field, the method distinguishes anisotropic from isotropic displacements and can be utilized for assigning the resonances and estimating local degrees of order. Of various potential pairs of angles suitable for such a correlation, the (0°, 90°) choice was found to be most convenient, as it avoids line broadening complications that may otherwise originate from heterogeneities of the oriented phase. The technique thus derived was employed in the analysis of a series of monomeric and polymeric liquid crystal systems.     

Tyrosyl Fluorescence Decays and Rotational Dynamics in Tyrosine Monomers and in Dipeptides

Picosecond time-correlated single-photon counting was used to measure fluorescence lifetimes and fluorescence anisotropy decays of tyrosine and the tyrosine–alanine and tyrosine–leucine dipeptides. After excitation of tyrosine at 287 nm two emitting species were observed, one at 303 nm with a lifetime of 3.3 ns and another at 340 nm with a lifetime of 360 ps. The rotational correlation time of tyrosine at 303 nm is 38 ps in water at pH 7 and depends linearly on viscosity with a slope of 44 ps/cP, consistent with Stokes–Einstein–Debye theory. We calculated a value of 45 ns for the radiative lifetime of tyrosine, yielding a fluorescence quantum yield of 0.07. The dipeptides Tyr–Ala and Tyr–Leu exhibit two- or three-exponential decays. The amplitudes of the decay components for three-exponential fits correlate closely with the populations of rotamers in these peptides as determined by NMR. The quenching of dipeptide fluorescence is shown to depend on the solvent polarity, strongly supporting the hypothesis that tyrosyl fluorescence in peptides is quenched by charge transfer. The rotational correlation times of tyrosine, Tyr–Ala, and Tyr–Leu increase linearly with the van der Waals volumes. However, rotational relaxation is somewhat faster than expected from Stokes–Einstein–Debye theory with stick boundary conditions.     

Direct measurement of dipole-dipole/CSA cross-correlated relaxation by a constant-time experiment

Relaxation rates in NMR are usually measured by intensity modulation as a function of a relaxation delay during which the relaxation mechanism of interest is effective. Other mechanisms are often suppressed during the relaxation delay by pulse sequences which eliminate their effects, or cancel their effects when two data sets with appropriate combinations of relaxation rate effects are added. Cross-correlated relaxation (CCR) involving dipole-dipole and CSA interactions differ from auto-correlated relaxation (ACR) in that the signs of contributions can be changed by inverting the state of one spin involved in the dipole-dipole interaction. This property has been exploited previously using CPMG sequences to refocus CCR while ACR evolves. Here we report a new pulse scheme that instead eliminates intensity modulation by ACR and thus allows direct measurement of CCR. The sequence uses a constant time relaxation period for which the contribution of ACR does not change. An inversion pulse is applied at various points in the sequence to effect a decay that depends on CCR only. A 2-D experiment is also described in which chemical shift evolution in the indirect dimension can share the same constant period. This improves sensitivity by avoiding the addition of a separate indirect dimension acquisition time. We illustrate the measurement of residue specific CCR rates on the non-myristoylated yeast ARF1 protein and compare the results to those obtained following the conventional method of measuring the decay rates of the slow and fast-relaxing (15)N doublets. The performances of the two methods are also quantitatively evaluated by simulation. The analysis shows that the shared constant-time CCR (SCT-CCR) method significantly improves sensitivity.     

1H and 13C NMR Conformational Analysis of Adrenergic Drugs. III. Dichloroisoproterenol,A Nonselective β-Blocking Agent

¹³C and ¹H NMR parameters were measured for dichloroisoproterenol in solution. Spin-lattice relaxation rates, nuclear Overhauser effects and J couplings were determined and compared to those obtained from isoproterenol. The t rotamer was shown to occur with a much higher probability than the two g rotamers. Dynamics in solution were interpreted in terms of a nearly isotropic motion of an extended molecular backbone. Some interesting differences were given evidence between the ‘preferred’ conformations in solution of dichloroisoproterenol and isoproterenol.     

The influence of macromolecular polymerization of spin-lattice relaxation of aqueous solutions

The docking or polymerization of globular proteins is demonstrated to cause changes in proton NMR spin-lattice (T1) relaxation times. Studies on solutions of lysozyme, bovine serum albumin, actin, and tubulin are used to demonstrate that two mechanisms account for the observed changes in T1. Polymerization displaces the hydration water sheath surrounding globular proteins in solution that causes an increase in T1. Polymerization also slows the average tumbling rate of the proteins, which typically causes a contrary decrease in T1. The crystallization reaction of lysozyme in sodium chloride solution further demonstrates that the "effective" molecular weight can either decrease or increase T1 depending on how much the protein is slowed. The displacement of hydration water increases T1 because it speeds up the mean motional state of water in the solution. Macromolecular docking typically decreases T1 because it slows the mean motional state of the solute molecules. Cross-relaxation between the proteins and bound water provides the mechanism that allows macromolecular motion to influence the relaxation rate of the solvent. Fast chemical exchange between bound, structured, and bulk water accounts for monoexponential spin-lattice relaxation. Thus the spin-lattice relaxation rate of water in protein solutions is a complex reflection of the motional properties of all the molecules present containing proton magnetic dipoles. It is expected, as a result, that the characteristic relaxation times of tissues will reflect the influence of polymerization changes related to cellular activities.