Order-Unity 13C Nuclear Polarization of [1-13C]Pyruvate in Seconds and the Interplay of Water and SABRE Enhancement

Signal Amplification By Reversible Exchange in SHield Enabled Alignment Transfer (SABRE-SHEATH) is investigated to achieve rapid hyperpolarization of ¹³C₁ spins of [1-¹³C]pyruvate, using parahydrogen as the source of nuclear spin order. Pyruvate exchange with an iridium polarization transfer complex can be modulated via a sensitive interplay between temperature and co-ligation of DMSO and H₂O. Order-unity ¹³C (>50 %) polarization of catalyst-bound [1-¹³C]pyruvate is achieved in less than 30 s by restricting the chemical exchange of [1-¹³C]pyruvate at lower temperatures. On the catalyst bound pyruvate, 39 % polarization is measured using a 1.4 T NMR spectrometer, and extrapolated to >50 % at the end of build-up in situ. The highest measured polarization of a 30-mM pyruvate sample, including free and bound pyruvate is 13 % when using 20 mM DMSO and 0.5 M water in CD₃OD. Efficient ¹³C polarization is also enabled by favorable relaxation dynamics in sub-microtesla magnetic fields, as indicated by fast polarization buildup rates compared to the T₁ spin-relaxation rates (e. g., ∼0.2 s⁻¹ versus ∼0.1 s⁻¹, respectively, for a 6 mM catalyst-[1-¹³C]pyruvate sample). Finally, the catalyst-bound hyperpolarized [1-¹³C]pyruvate can be released rapidly by cycling the temperature and/or by optimizing the amount of water, paving the way to future biomedical applications of hyperpolarized [1-¹³C]pyruvate produced via comparatively fast and simple SABRE-SHEATH-based approaches.     

Investigation of the Nucleophilic Rearrangement of 2-(Cyanomethyl)-1,4,6-trimethylpyrimidinium Iodide Into 4,6-Dimethyl-2-methylaminonicotinic Acid Nitrile

2-(Cyanomethyl)-1,4,6-trimethylpyrimidinium iodide is rearranged into 4,6-dimethyl-2-methylaminonicotinic acid nitrile by interaction with alcoholic solutions of sodium ethylate, methylamine, and also glycine and -alanine ethyl esters. This conversion was also observed for the first time for pyrimidinium salts during the process of recording ¹H NMR spectra in CD₃OD solution containing CD₃ONa. After the rearrangement deuterium exchange of the protons of the pyridine ring methyl groups was noted spectrally. It was demonstrated experimentally that for carrying out and completing the recyclization a quantity of nucleophilic reagent must convert the molar equivalent quantity of pyridinium salt.     

ParaHydrogen Polarized Ethyl-[1-13C]pyruvate in Water,a Key Substrate for Fostering the PHIP-SAH Approach to Metabolic Imaging

An efficient synthesis of vinyl-[1-¹³C]pyruvate has been reported, from which ¹³C hyperpolarized (HP) ethyl-[1-¹³C]pyruvate has been obtained by means of ParaHydrogen Induced Polarization (PHIP). Due to the intrinsic lability of pyruvate, which leads quickly to degradation of the reaction mixture even under mild reaction conditions, the vinyl-ester has been synthesized through the intermediacy of a more stable ketal derivative. ¹³C and ¹H hyperpolarizations of ethyl-[1-¹³C]pyruvate, hydrogenated using ParaHydrogen, have been compared to those observed on the more widely used allyl-derivative. It has been demonstrated that the spin order transfer from ParaHydrogen protons to ¹³C, is more efficient on the ethyl than on the allyl-esterdue to the larger J-couplings involved. The main requirements needed for the biological application of this HP product have been met, i. e. an aqueous solution of the product at high concentration (40 mM) with a good ¹³C polarization level (4.8 %) has been obtained. The in vitro metabolic transformation of the HP ethyl-[1-¹³C]pyruvate, catalyzed by an esterase, has been observed. This substrate appears to be a good candidate for in vivo metabolic investigations using PHIP hyperpolarized probes.     

Elucidating structure and dynamics of crystalline α-zirconium phosphates intercalated with water and methanol by multinuclear solid-state MAS NMR: A comprehensive NMR approach

Solid-state NMR experiments on ²H, ³¹P, ¹³C, and ¹H nuclei, including ³¹P T₁, ¹H T₁, and ¹H T_1ρ measurements, as well as on the kinetics of proton-phosphorus cross-polarization have been performed to characterize the crystalline and amorphous α-zirconium phosphates, which were intercalated with D₂O and/or CD₃OD. The ¹³C{¹H} CP MAS NMR experiment performed for compound 1-CD ₃ OD (Zr (HPO₄)₂ ^. 0.2CD₃OD) with carbon cross-polarization via protons of phosphate groups has provided a prove that the methanol was intercalated into the interlayer spaces of this compound. The variable-temperature ²H solid-echo MAS NMR spectra of intercalated compounds demonstrated that the methanol molecules, in contrast to the mobile water, were immobile, keeping, however, free CD₃ rotations around the C₃-axis. It has been demonstrated that the intercalated species, D₂O and CD₃OD, do not affect the high-frequency motions of the phosphate groups. By utilizing local structural models that satisfy the constraints of the experimental data, it has been suggested that the immobile methanol molecules are located in the cavity between two neighboring layers of the zirconium phosphates. Thus, the present work illustrates the reliable criteria in a comprehensive NMR approach to structural and dynamic studies of such systems.     

Synthesis of 13C and 2H Labeled Vinyl Pyruvate and Hyperpolarization of Pyruvate

The hyperpolarization of nuclear spins has enabled unique applications in chemistry, biophysics, and particularly metabolic imaging. Parahydrogen-induced polarization (PHIP) offers a fast and cost-efficient way of hyperpolarization. Nevertheless, PHIP lags behind dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP), which is already being evaluated in clinical studies. This shortcoming is mainly due to problems in the synthesis of the corresponding PHIP precursor molecules. The most widely used DNP tracer in clinical studies, particularly for the detection of prostate cancer, is 1-¹³C-pyruvate. The ideal derivative for PHIP is the deuterated vinyl ester because the spin physics allows for 100 % polarization. Unfortunately, there is no efficient synthesis for vinyl esters of β-ketocarboxylic acids in general and pyruvate in particular. Here, we present an efficient new method for the preparation of vinyl esters, including ¹³C labeled, fully deuterated vinyl pyruvate using a palladium-catalyzed procedure. Using 50 % enriched parahydrogen and mild reaction conditions, a ¹³C polarization of 12 % was readily achieved; 36 % are expected with 100 % pH₂. Higher polarization values can be potentially achieved with optimized reaction conditions.     

Photo-thermal Cooperative Carbonylation of Ethanol with CO2 on Cu2O-SrTiCuO3-x

Carbonylation of ethanol with CO₂ as carbonyl source into value-added esters is of considerable significance and interest, while remains of great challenge due to the harsh conditions for activation of inert CO₂ in that the harsh conditions result in undesired activation of α-C−H and even cleavage of C−C bond in ethanol to deteriorate the specific activation of O−H bond. Herein, we propose a photo-thermal cooperative strategy for carbonylation of ethanol with CO₂, in which CO₂ is activated to reactive CO via photo-catalysis with the assistance of *H from thermally-catalyzed dissociation of alcoholic O−H bond. To achieve this proposal, an interfacial site and oxygen vacancy both abundant SrTiCuO_3-x supported Cu₂O (Cu₂O-SrTiCuO_3-x) has been designed. A production of up to 320 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹ for ethyl formate with a selectivity of 85.6 % to targeted alcoholic O−H activation has been afforded in photo-thermal assisted gas-solid process under 3.29 W cm⁻¹ of UV/Vis light irradiation (144 °C) and 0.2 MPa CO₂. In the photo-driven activation of CO₂ and following carbonylation, CO₂ activation energy decreases to 12.6 kJ mol⁻¹, and the cleavage of alcoholic α-C−H bond has been suppressed.     

Efficient Synthesis of Molecular Precursors for Para‐Hydrogen‐Induced Polarization of Ethyl Acetate‐1‐13C and Beyond

A scalable and versatile methodology for production of vinylated carboxylic compounds with ¹³C isotopic label in C1 position is described. It allowed synthesis of vinyl acetate‐1‐¹³C, which is a precursor for preparation of ¹³C hyperpolarized ethyl acetate‐1‐¹³C, which provides a convenient vehicle for potential in vivo delivery of hyperpolarized acetate to probe metabolism in living organisms. Kinetics of vinyl acetate molecular hydrogenation and polarization transfer from para‐hydrogen to ¹³C via magnetic field cycling were investigated. Nascent proton nuclear spin polarization (%P_H) of ca. 3.3 % and carbon‐13 polarization (%P_13C) of ca. 1.8 % were achieved in ethyl acetate utilizing 50 % para‐hydrogen corresponding to ca. 50 % polarization transfer efficiency. The use of nearly 100% para‐hydrogen and the improvements of %P_H of para‐hydrogen‐nascent protons may enable production of ¹³C hyperpolarized contrast agents with %P_13C of 20–50 % in seconds using this chemistry.     

Inside Cover: Parahydrogen-Induced Carbon-13 Radiofrequency Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 5/2023)

The feasibility of Carbon-13 Radiofrequency (RF) Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation (C-13 RASER) is demonstrated on a bolus of liquid hyperpolarized ethyl [1-¹³C]acetate. Hyperpolarized ethyl [1-¹³C]acetate was prepared via pairwise addition of parahydrogen to vinyl [1-¹³C]acetate and polarization transfer from nascent parahydrogen-derived protons to the carbon-13 nucleus via magnetic field cycling yielding C-13 nuclear spin polarization of approximately 6 %. RASER signals were detected from samples with concentration ranging from 0.12 to 1 M concentration using a non-cryogenic 1.4T NMR spectrometer equipped with a radio-frequency detection coil with a quality factor (Q) of 32 without any modifications. C-13 RASER signals were observed for several minutes on a single bolus of hyperpolarized substrate to achieve 21 mHz NMR linewidths. The feasibility of creating long-lasting C-13 RASER on biomolecular carriers opens a wide range of new opportunities for the rapidly expanding field of C-13 magnetic resonance hyperpolarization.     

Complete experimental and theoretical proton and carbon nuclear magnetic resonance spectral assignments,molecular structure and conformational study of 1‐cyclohexylpiperazine and 1‐(4‐pyridyl)piperazine

The possible stable forms and molecular structures of 1‐cyclohexylpiperazine (1‐chpp) and 1‐(4‐pyridyl)piperazine (1‐4pypp) molecules have been studied experimentally and theoretically using nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR) spectroscopy. ¹³C, ¹⁵N cross‐polarization magic‐angle spinning NMR and liquid phase¹H, ¹³C, DEPT, COSY, HETCOR and INADEQUATE NMR spectra of 1‐chpp (C₁₀H₂₀N₂) and 1‐4pypp (C₉H₁₃N₂) have been reported. Solvent effects on nuclear magnetic shielding tensors have been investigated using CDCl₃, CD₃ OD, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO)‐d₆, (CD₃)₂CO, D₂O and CD₂Cl₂. ¹H and ¹³C NMR chemical shifts have been calculated for the most stable two conformers, equatorial–equatorial (e–e) and axial–equatorial (a–e) forms of 1‐chpp and 1‐4pypp using B3LYP/6‐311++G(d,p)//6‐31G(d) level of theory. Results from experimental and theoretical data showed that the molecular geometry and the mole fractions of stable conformers of both molecules are solvent dependent. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Solvent effect in NMR enantiomeric analysis using (S)-1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diol as a chiral solvating agent

The determination of the enantiomeric composition of chiral compounds by¹H,¹³C, and³¹P NMR spectroscopy in the presence of (S)-1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diol demonstrates that the enantioselectivity of the method increases when the polarity of a solvent decreases as follows: CD₃OD-D₂O (4 ∶ 1) < CD₃OD < CDCl₃ < CDCl₃-CCl₄ (1 ∶ 1) < C₆D₆. The effect is caused by increase in stability of solvating agent-substrate complexes formed through the hydrogen bonds. Pantolactone, esters of substituted cyclopropanecarboxylic acids, amino alcohol propranolol, and 2,2′-bis(diphenylphosphinyl)-1,1′-binaphthyl were used as the substrates.     

A conformational NMR analysis of methymycin aglycones: complete and unambiguous assignments of stereochemically diverse glycosylated methymycin analogs by 1D and 2D NMR techniques and molecular modeling

The ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra of 10‐deoxymethynolide (1), 8.9‐dihydro‐10‐deoxymethynolide (2) and its glycosylated derivatives (3–9) were analyzed using gradient‐selected NMR techniques, including 1D TOCSY, gCOSY, 1D NOESY (DPFGSENOE), NOESY, gHMBC, gHSQC and gHSQC‐TOCSY. The NMR spectral parameters (chemical shifts and coupling constants) of 1–9 were determined by iterative analysis. For the first time, complete and unambiguous assignment of the ¹H NMR spectrum of 10‐deoxymethynolide (1) has been achieved in CDCl₃, CD₃OD and C₆D₆ solvents. The ¹H NMR spectrum of 8,9‐dihydro‐10‐deoxymethynolide (2) was recorded in CDCl₃, (CD₃)₂CO and CD₃OD solutions to determine the conformation. NMR‐based conformational analysis of 1 and 2 in conjugation with molecular modeling concluded that the 12‐membered ring of the macrolactones may predominantly exist in a single stable conformation in all solvents examined. In all cases, a change in solvent caused only small changes in chemical shifts and coupling constants, suggesting that all glycosylated methymycin analogs exist with similar conformations of the aglycone ring in solution. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Inclusion complexation of a deep cavitand with imidazoquinoxaline flaps forming stable vase-like conformation

The stability of the vase-like conformation of a deep cavitand 1 with four imidazoquinoxaline flaps was studied in CDCl₃/CD₃OD by ¹H NMR method. The annular tautomerism of cavitand 1·4MeOD in CDCl₃/CD₃OD (1:9 v/v) was investigated by ¹H NMR and the free energy of activation (ΔG³₂₆₈) of this process was measured as 12.9?kcal/mol at a coalescence temperature of 263?K. The inclusion complexation of 1 with various rod-like fatty amides and fatty esters resulted the formation of host-guest complexes in 1:1 stoichiometry where the alkyl chain of guests are coiled within the cavity and stabilized by CH/π interactions with the enlarged aromatic π surfaces of imidazoquinoxaline flaps.     

Host–guest complexation in the β-glycyrrhizic acid–2,8-dimethyl-5-[2´-(6″-methylpyridin-3″-yl)ethyl]-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1<Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis>-pyrido[4,3-<Emphasis Type="Italic">b</Emphasis>]indole system

Electronic, IR, and NMR spectroscopy methods were used to study the interaction in the β-glycyrrhizic acid (GA)–2,8-dimethyl-5-[2´-(6″-methylpyridin-3″-yl)ethyl]-2,3,4,5-tetra-hydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Dim) system in an alcoholic medium. The complete assignment of signals in the ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra of Dim and GA in CD₃OD was made for the individual components and for thier mixtures at different ratios. These data suggest the formation of a host–guest complex in this system. It is hypothesized that associates of GA molecules interact with Dim through Δ^12,13–carbonyl group conjugated bonds in the triterpene moiety of GA that interact with the aromatic systems of the indole and pyridine moieties of Dim, as well as via an acid-base mechanism involving mainly the carboxy groups of glucuronic acid residues in the carbohydrate part of GA and the nitrogen atom of the tetrahydropyridine ring of Dim.     

Production of Pure Aqueous 13C‐Hyperpolarized Acetate by Heterogeneous Parahydrogen‐Induced Polarization

A supported metal catalyst was designed, characterized, and tested for aqueous phase heterogeneous hydrogenation of vinyl acetate with parahydrogen to produce ¹³C‐hyperpolarized ethyl acetate for potential biomedical applications. The Rh/TiO₂ catalyst with a metal loading of 23.2 wt % produced strongly hyperpolarized ¹³C‐enriched ethyl acetate‐1‐¹³C detected at 9.4 T. An approximately 14‐fold ¹³C signal enhancement was detected using circa 50 % parahydrogen gas without taking into account relaxation losses before and after polarization transfer by magnetic field cycling from nascent parahydrogen‐derived protons to ¹³C nuclei. This first observation of ¹³C PHIP‐hyperpolarized products over a supported metal catalyst in an aqueous medium opens up new possibilities for production of catalyst‐free aqueous solutions of nontoxic hyperpolarized contrast agents for a wide range of biomolecules amenable to the parahydrogen induced polarization by side arm hydrogenation (PHIP‐SAH) approach.     

Solution conformations of 2-amino-1-hydroxy-2-aryl ethylphosphonic acids and their diethyl esters

Conformations of 2-amino-1-hydroxy-2-aryl ethylphosphonic acids (in D₂O) and their diethyl esters (in CDCl₃ and CD₃OD) were determined by means of NMR on the basis of dependence between observed values of coupling constants (³J_PC, ³J_HH and ³J_PH) and corresponding dihedral angles. In case of diethyl esters we observed that the conformation was stabilised by the formation of the intramolecular hydrogen bond between (NH₂)?(OH) moieties in both solvents, whereas for acids formation of hydrogen bond between NH₃⁺?PO groups predominates.     

E/Z(C=C)-Isomerization of enamines of 3-formyl-4-hydroxycoumarin induced by organic solvents

According to ¹? and ¹³? NMR data, enamines of 3-formyl-4-hydroxycoumarin exist in the keto enamine tautomeric form and undergo Z/E-isomerization around the C=C bond in CDCl₃, DMSO-d₆, and CD₃OD at room temperature. The activation energies of ?/Z-isomerization were measured experimentally and calculated by the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) method. An X-ray diffraction study showed that 3-(benzyliminomethyl)chromane-2,4-dione in the crystalline state exists as a mixture of two keto enamine isomers.     

Biosynthesis of aspergiolide A, a novel antitumor compound by a marine-derived fungus Aspergillus glaucus via the polyketide pathway

Aspergiolide A, a novel antitumor compound, was produced by a marine-derived filamentous fungus Aspergillus glaucus. The biosynthesis of it was unambiguously determined by feeding experiments using [l-¹³C]sodium acetate, [2-¹³C]sodium acetate, and [1,2-¹³C₂]sodium acetate precursors followed by ¹³C NMR spectroscopic investigation of the isolated products. Analysis of the patterns of ¹³C-enrichment revealed that all 25 carbon atoms in skeleton of aspergiolide A were derived from labeled acetate. And among them, 12 carbon atoms were labeled from the carboxylic group of acetate, while the other 13 carbon atoms were labeled from the methylic group of acetate. Besides, the labeling pattern of [1,2-¹³C₂]sodium acetate feeding experiment demonstrated that 12 intact acetate units were incorporated in aspergiolide A by polyketide pathway.     

Conformational przferknce of the S→O bond. 1H and 13C NMR studies of the mono-S-oxides of 1,2-, 1,3- and 1,4-dithianes

The ¹H and ¹³C NMR behavior of the monosulfoxides of 1,2-, 1,3-and 1,4-dithianes (1–3) were studied in order to determine the conformational preference of the S→O bond in these heterocycles. From the results of variable temperature, double irradiation, solvent effects and shift reagent experiments, It is concluded that the axial conformers dominate the conformational equilibria of 1 and 3. On the other hand, 2-equatorial is more stable than 2-axial by 0.64 kcal/mol (ΔG°) at -80°, in CD₃OD. This value is essentially identical with the one determined in CHClF₂, and the lack of a solvent effect appears to indicate that dipole/dipole interactions do not control this equilibrium. AΔG_c³ = 11.0 kcal/mol was determined for the inversion process of 2. Complete ¹H and ¹³C NMR assignments for 1–3 are presented.     

Interpretation of vibrational and NMR spectra of allyl acrylate: An evidence for several conformers

The mid-IR, far-IR, and Raman spectra of allyl acrylate were measured and interpreted with support of the B3LYP/aug-cc-pVDZ calculated anharmonic vibrational spectra followed by the potential energy distribution analysis. The experimental ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra of allyl acrylate dissolved in CDCl₃ or C₆D₆ were interpreted by means of the B3LYP/aug-cc-pVDZ-su2 calculated NMR chemical shifts and J(¹H,¹H) and J(¹H,¹³C) coupling constants. Exactly ten stable allyl acrylate conformers (five s-cis and five s-trans) were found after careful B3LYP/aug-cc-pVDZ and MP2/aug-cc-pVDZ scan of the conformational space. The experimental IR and Raman spectra are in good agreement with the theoretical spectra of the most stable conformers 1 with a presence of the second stable conformer 2, both exhibiting cis arrangement of the acrylic moiety. There are however two bands in the IR spectra, at ca. 1270 and 1260 cm⁻¹, that definitely indicate the conformers with trans arrangement of the acrylic moiety to be present in liquid allyl acrylate. The bands at ca. 2990 and 1650 cm⁻¹ are suggested to be due to Fermi resonances engaging CH and CC stretching vibrations, respectively. The careful inspection of the room temperature ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra of allyl acrylate suggest that a dominating form of the allyl acrylate molecule in an inert solvent exhibits the cis conformation of the acrylic moiety and an extended allyl group.     

Novel copolymers of styrene. 1. Alkyl ring-substituted propyl 2-cyano-3-phenyl-2-propenoates

Trisubstituted ethylenes, alkyl ring-substituted propyl 2-cyano-3-phenyl-2-propenoates, RPhCH?C(CN)CO₂C₃H₇ (where R is H, 2-methyl, 3-methyl, 4-methyl, 4-ethyl, 4-propyl, 4-i-propyl, 4-butyl, 4-i-butyl, 4-t-butyl) were prepared and copolymerized with styrene. The monomers were synthesized by the piperidine catalyzed Knoevenagel condensation of ring-substituted benzaldehydes and propyl cyanoacetate, and characterized by CHN analysis, IR, ¹H and ¹³C-NMR. All the ethylenes were copolymerized with styrene (M₁) in solution with radical initiation (ABCN) at 70°C. The compositions of the copolymers were calculated from nitrogen analysis and the structures were analyzed by IR, ¹H and ¹³C-NMR. Decomposition of the copolymers in nitrogen occurred in two steps, first in the 250–500°C range with residue (2–4% wt.), which then decomposed in the 500–800°C range.