Moving the frontiers in solution and solid-state bioNMR

A major research field in mechanistic systems biology is represented by the development of methods for investigating the structural and dynamic features of systems with multiple interacting components, in order to understand their function. A combination of NMR techniques can be used in such respect, among which the employment of paramagnetic metal ions, ¹³C direct detection, and solid-state NMR, possibly supported by other techniques like small angle X-ray scattering. Among the results, the information on the conformational heterogeneity experienced by multicomponent systems in solution can be mentioned. The structural and functional characterization of large biological systems, not affordable with standard solution NMR techniques, can be tackled through a synergistic use of solution and MAS solid-state NMR. ¹³C direct detection NMR spectroscopy is on the other hand advantageous for improving the quality and quantity of observed nuclear signals, for their intrinsically smaller linewidths and larger signal breadth. Details on these approaches are reviewed here.     

Progress in nuclear magnetic resonance studies of surfactant systems

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), as a powerful technology, is widely used to characterize the physicochemical properties of surfactants in solution. As a sensitive technique to molecular environment, NMR is beyond the reach of other spectral methods in surfactant systems. Recent years, intensive investigations of surfactants by NMR were reported but not well summarized; therefore, we highlight these significant progresses, which may shed light on the challenges to understand their behavior and mechanisms in surfactant systems. The theory of various NMR methods was introduced, including chemical shifts, diffusion, relaxation, 2D nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy and rotating frame nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy. The behavior, interaction, and mechanisms among surfactants and other molecules from NMR technologies were discussed. Challenges to understand the behavior and mechanisms in surfactant systems and instrumentation limits are addressed as perspectives.     

Synthesis and characterisation of medium-sized ring systems by oxidative cleavage. Part 2: Insights from the study of ring expanded analogues

Variable temperature NMR analysis and computational methods have been used to develop a detailed understanding of the ¹H NMR spectra of a family of medium-sized ring containing compounds. The family consists of analogues containing 10-, 11- and 12-membered rings and in all cases the NMR spectra at room temperature showed a series of diastereotopic methylene signals despite the lack of a stereogenic centre in these systems. On repeating the NMR analysis at higher temperatures, all the signals coalesced for the 12-membered ring system consistent with full interconversion of ring conformers. This was not observed in the analogous 10- and 11-membered ring systems with the interchange of conformers remaining slow on the NMR timescale. However, 1D gs-NOESY/EXSY NMR experiments showed that in the smaller ring systems interconversion of diastereotopic protons did occur. Computational studies suggest that the dynamic process observed by NMR for the 10- and 11-membered rings systems is different from that observed in the 12-membered ring containing compound.     

µ-NMR at the point of care testing

NMR shows strong analytical capability for obtaining molecular information on materials and is used in a variety of fields. Micro-NMR (µNMR) is mainly based on low-field NMR (LF-NMR), which makes NMR detection portable and inexpensive. Point-of-care testing (POCT) has gradually become an area of major concern, and scientists have made much progress in applying µNMR systems for POCT. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first review of the latest development in miniaturization of µNMR systems. Then, we discuss cutting-edge µNMR-based applications in POCT and the outlook for future developments.     

Automated Analysis and Simulation of NMR Spectra: Applications to Organo Phosphorus Chemistry

Abstract

Analysis of molecular structures in solution- and liquid-state is based on modern NMR methods. A novel set of computer programs was developed which allows for a more convenient automated analysis of NMR parameters and subsequent simulation of NMR spectra. Programs and techniques used are demonstrated for model systems like:     

Factor analysis of 27Al MAS NMR spectra for identifying nanocrystalline phases in amorphous geopolymers

Nanostructured materials offer enhanced physicochemical properties because of the large interfacial area. Typically, geopolymers with specifically synthesized nanosized zeolites are a promising material for the sorption of pollutants. The structural characterization of these aluminosilicates, however, continues to be a challenge. To circumvent complications resulting from the amorphous character of the aluminosilicate matrix and from the low concentrations of nanosized crystallites, we have proposed a procedure based on factor analysis of ²⁷Al MAS NMR spectra. The capability of the proposed method was tested on geopolymers that exhibited various tendencies to crystallize (i) completely amorphous systems, (ii) X‐ray amorphous systems with nanocrystalline phases, and (iii) highly crystalline systems. Although the recorded ²⁷Al MAS NMR spectra did not show visible differences between the amorphous systems (i) and the geopolymers with the nanocrystalline phase (ii), the applied factor analysis unambiguously distinguished these materials. The samples were separated into the well‐defined clusters, and the systems with the evolving crystalline phase were identified even before any crystalline fraction was detected by X‐ray powder diffraction. Reliability of the proposed procedure was verified by comparing it with ²⁹Si MAS NMR spectra. Factor analysis of ²⁷Al MAS NMR spectra thus has the ability to reveal spectroscopic features corresponding to the nanocrystalline phases. Because the measurement time of ²⁷Al MAS NMR spectra is significantly shorter than that of ²⁹Si MAS NMR data, the proposed procedure is particularly suitable for the analysis of large sets of specifically synthesized geopolymers in which the formation of the limited fractions of nanocrystalline phases is desired. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

APPLICATION OF HMBC AND HMQC-TOCSY NMR METHODS TO ASSIGN THE STRUCTURES OF BICYCLIC-PEPTIDE MIMETICS

Abstract

The structures of representative bicyclic peptides are confirmed through the NMR methods of HMBC and HMQC-TOCSY. Complete assignment of proton and carbon resonances is afforded by these two-dimensional NMR methods. HMQC-TOCSY is especially useful for assigning spectra in molecules having extensive proton spin systems and in establishing connectivities between protonated carbons. Long-range proton-carbon connectivities obtained by HMBC confirm structure in molecules containing heteroatoms or non-protonated carbons that interrupt proton spin systems.     

A new nuclear magnetic resonance algorithm to determine equilibrium constants of the species in the B(III)-H2O system

Several efforts have been attempted to study species formation by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) in systems with several chemical equilibria present. The majority of these are qualitative and only a few have tried to relate component fractions of a distribution diagram with experimental area fractions determined from NMR spectra to obtain equilibrium constants values. In this work we present a new focus that attempts to relate the species concentration fractions in the system with area fractions beneath NMR peaks to achieve this task. 11B-NMR data of B(III)-H2O systems have been processed with the aid of formation constant values (-log *beta) obtained by potentiometry which are 9.17+/-0.01 for B(OH)3, 9.79+/-0.08 for B2O(OH)5-, 19.90+/-0.09 for B3O3(OH)4- and 38.50+/-0.04 for B5O6(OH)4-, form B(III)-H2O systems with 0.075 M< or = [B(III)]total< or = 0.700 M, in agreement with previous reports and NMR behavior. The treatment of NMR data developed in this work gives a new methodology to obtain formation constants and suggests the possibility to establish a generalization of Beer's law to NMR spectroscopy.     

Computational Analysis of 47/49Ti NMR Shifts and Electric Field Gradient Tensors of Half‐Titanocene Complexes: Structure–Bonding–Property Relationships

Metal NMR shielding and electric‐field gradient (EFG) tensors are examined by quantum‐chemical calculations for a set of 14 titanium(IV) complexes. Benchmarks are performed for titanocene chlorides that have been characterized recently by solid‐state NMR experiments, focusing on the dependence of Ti^IV NMR parameters on the computational model in terms of the choice of the density functional, and considering molecular clusters versus infinite‐periodic solid. Nearest‐neighbor and long‐range effects in the solid state are found to influence NMR parameters in systems without spatially extended ligands. Bulky ligands increase the fraction of local structure and bonding information encoded in the EFG tensors by reducing intermolecular interactions. Next, Ti shielding constants and EFG tensors for a variety of olefin (co)polymerization catalysts are analyzed in terms of contributions from localized molecular orbitals representing Lewis bonds and lone pairs. Direct links between the observed theoretical trends and the local bonding environment around the Ti metal center are found. A specific dependence of the Ti EFG tensors on the exact arrangement and type of surrounding bonds is demonstrated, providing a basis for further studies on solid‐supported titanium catalytic systems.     

Time dependence of the NMR line shape for systems with chemical exchange in a zero saturation limit

An expression has been derived for the time dependence of the NMR line shape for systems with many-site chemical exchange in the absence of spin-spin coupling, in a zero saturation limit. The dynamics of variation of the NMR line shape with time is considered in detail for the case of two-site chemical exchange. Mathematica programs have been designed for numerical simulation of the NMR spectra of chemical exchange systems. The analytical expressions obtained are useful for NMR line shape simulations for systems with photoinduced chemical exchange.     

Solid‐State NMR investigations of anhydrous proton‐conducting acid–base poly(acrylic acid)– poly(4‐vinyl pyridine) polymer blend system: A study of hydrogen bonding and proton conduction

NMR studies of the structure and dynamics of a system composed of the acidic polymer poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and the basic polymer poly(4‐vinyl pyridine) (P4VP) are presented. This system aims at the application of anhydrous proton‐conducting membranes that can be used at elevated temperatures at which the proton conduction of hydrated membranes breaks down. The ¹H NMR measurements have been preformed under fast magic angle spinning (MAS) conditions to achieve sufficient resolution and the applied ¹H NMR methods vary from simple ¹H MAS to double‐quantum filtered methods and two‐dimensional ¹H double‐quantum spectroscopy. The dynamic behavior of the systems has been investigated via variable temperature ¹H MAS NMR. ¹³C cross‐polarization MAS NMR provides additional aspects of dynamic and structural features to complete the picture. Different types of acidic protons have been identified in the studied PAA‐P4VP systems that are nonhydrogen‐bonded free acidic protons, hydrogen‐bonded dicarboxylic dimers, and protons forming hydrogen bonds between carboxylic protons and ring nitrogens. The conversion of dimer structures in dried PAA to free carboxylic acid groups is accomplished at temperatures above 380 K. However, the stability of hydrogen‐bonding strongly depends on the hydration level of the polymer systems. The effect of hydration becomes less apparent in the complexes. An inverse proportionality between hydrogen‐bonding strength and proton conduction in the PAA‐P4VP acid–base polymer blend systems was established. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 47: 138–155, 2009     

Elucidating ‘undecipherable’ chemical structures using computer‐assisted structure elucidation approaches

Structure elucidation using 2D NMR data and application of traditional methods of structure elucidation are known to fail for certain problems. In this work, it is shown that computer‐assisted structure elucidation methods are capable of solving such problems. We conclude that it is now impossible to evaluate the capabilities of novel NMR experimental techniques in isolation from expert systems developed for processing fuzzy, incomplete and contradictory information obtained from 2D NMR spectra. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Benchmarking of density functionals for a soft but accurate prediction and assignment of 1H and 13C NMR chemical shifts in organic and biological molecules

A number of programs and tools that simulate ¹H and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) chemical shifts using empirical approaches are available. These tools are user‐friendly, but they provide a very rough (and sometimes misleading) estimation of the NMR properties, especially for complex systems. Rigorous and reliable ways to predict and interpret NMR properties of simple and complex systems are available in many popular computational program packages. Nevertheless, experimentalists keep relying on these “unreliable” tools in their daily work because, to have a sufficiently high accuracy, these rigorous quantum mechanical methods need high levels of theory. An alternative, efficient, semi‐empirical approach has been proposed by Bally, Rablen, Tantillo, and coworkers. This idea consists of creating linear calibrations models, on the basis of the application of different combinations of functionals and basis sets. Following this approach, the predictive capability of a wider range of popular functionals was systematically investigated and tested. The NMR chemical shifts were computed in solvated phase at density functional theory level, using 30 different functionals coupled with three different triple–ζ basis sets. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Electronic structure and reactivity of ylidic systems : V. Ylid structure information form NMR data

Bond systems in triphenylphosphorus ylids, methylenetrimethylphosphorane and their tricarbonylnickel salts are discussed by interpretation of ¹³C NMR results.     

1H‐ und 13C‐NMR‐Spektroskopie

The present state of the routine 1D ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR spectroscopy is reported. After a short introduction into the basic theory the current spectrometer and software systems are discussed. Using an example from natural product chemistry the procedures during the analysis of the NMR spectra are explained.     

1H magic angle rotation NMR in polymer studies

The principles of the method of NMR line narrowing by measurement with spinning of the sample about the magic axis (MAR-NMR) are introduced, with particular emphasis on the effects of internal motion upon the possibilities and limitations of the method. The applications of the method in ¹H-NMR studies of polymer structure and dynamics are then reviewed. Due to both theoretical and experimental limitations, narrowing of dipolar broadened NMR lines by MAR can be observed in ¹H NMR spectra only in those cases where internal motion is anisotropic, or in heterogeneous systems where line width is limited by differences of magnetic susceptibility. In polymers, both solid and liquid, the method makes possible differentiation between isotropic and anisotropic internal motion. In systems with anisotropic internal motion, MAR-NMR makes possible a characterization of motional codes which normally are obscured by residual dipolar interactions, as well as of geometrical restrictions upon these motions.     

On the convergence of iterative computation in the LAOCOON 3 program

The reasons which sometimes cause failure of convergence in the iteration of NMR spectra by LAOCOON 3 are discussed. The problem can be avoided by retaining the sequence of the eigenfunctions throughout the iterative process. In addition, assignment of the lines to start the iterative analysis can be facilitated by considering the dependence of the transitions on the NMR parameters in the simulation stage. LAOCOON 3, modified and extended to handle eight spin systems, has been successfully tested in the iterative analysis of the ¹H NMR spectrum of naphthalene.     

Determination of protein-ligand binding affinity by NMR: observations from serum albumin model systems

The usefulness of bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a model protein for testing NMR methods for the study of protein-ligand interactions is discussed. Isothermal titration calorimetry established the binding affinity and stoichiometry of the specific binding site for L-tryptophan, D-tryptophan, naproxen, ibuprofen, salicylic acid and warfarin. The binding affinities of the same ligands determined by NMR methods are universally weaker (larger KD). This is because the NMR methods are susceptible to interference from additional non-specific binding. The L-tryptophan-BSA and naproxen-BSA systems were the best behaved model systems.     

Recent advancements in understanding thermotropic liquid crystal structure and dynamics by means of NMR spectroscopy

Recent progresses of NMR spectroscopy to the study of liquid crystals and related ordered systems are surveyed. Particular attention will be devoted to review suitably tailored NMR experiments and their applications on those systems (e.g. biaxial nematics, chiral smectics, V shaped mesogens, liquid crystalline elastomers) which are presently subject of active and innovative research.     

<Superscript>1</Superscript>H NMR spectroscopic study of the formation of molecular complexes of methanol with benzene and phenanthrene

Chemical shifts (c.s.) of ¹H nuclei in methanol are measured for methanol-benzene and methanol-phenanthrene systems. A method to determine the equilibrium constant of the molecular association reaction by NMR spectroscopy data is proposed for systems with low solubility of a compound when the dependence of c.s. on the composition is close to a straight line. The equilibrium constants for the formation of molecular complexes in methanol-benzene and methanol-phenanthrene systems are found.