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.     

NMR crystallography of zeolites: How far can we go without diffraction data?

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) crystallography—an approach to structure determination that seeks to integrate solid-state NMR spectroscopy, diffraction, and computation methods—has emerged as an effective strategy to determine structures of difficult-to-characterize materials, including zeolites and related network materials. This paper explores how far it is possible to go in determining the structure of a zeolite framework from a minimal amount of input information derived only from solid-state NMR spectroscopy. It is shown that the framework structure of the fluoride-containing and tetramethylammonium-templated octadecasil clathrasil material can be solved from the 1D ²⁹Si NMR spectrum and a single 2D ²⁹Si NMR correlation spectrum alone, without the space group and unit cell parameters normally obtained from diffraction data. The resulting NMR-solved structure is in excellent agreement with the structures determined previously by diffraction methods. It is anticipated that NMR crystallography strategies like this will be useful for structure determination of other materials, which cannot be solved from diffraction methods alone.     

Solid-state NMR studies of host–guest chemistry in metal-organic frameworks

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are an emerging class of porous materials with potential applications in a wide variety of fields. The knowledge about the detailed interactions between MOFs and guest molecules is critical for the understanding of their structure-property relationships at working conditions. In this review, recent advances for solid-state NMR studies of host–guest chemistry of MOFs in the application fields of gaseous adsorption, chemical separation, drug delivery, chemical sensor, and heterogeneous catalysis were briefly introduced. The adsorption property and dynamic behavior of adsorbed gases confined inside the MOFs channels were elucidated from variable-temperature (VT) solid-state NMR. Moreover, the detailed mechanism of gas-phase and liquid-phase adsorptive separations on MOFs adsorbents was uncovered on the basis of solid-state NMR measurements. Multi-nuclear ¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁵N, and ³¹P MAS NMR was utilized to explore the interactions between drug molecules and MOFs at the atomic scale to monitor the controlled release process of drugs. Furthermore, the investigation of the interactions between guest molecules and MOFs in the application areas of chemical sensor, toxic chemicals removal, and catalysis using solid-state NMR was briefly discussed as well.     

Magic-angle-spinning-induced local ordering in polymer electrolytes and its effects on solid-state diffusion and relaxation NMR measurements

Magic-angle-spinning (MAS) enhances sensitivity and resolution in solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements. MAS is obtained by aerodynamic levitation and drive of a rotor, which results in large centrifugal forces that may affect the physical state of soft materials, such as polymers, and subsequent solid-state NMR measurements. Here, we investigate the effects of MAS on the solid-state NMR measurements of a polymer electrolyte for lithium-ion battery applications, poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) doped with the lithium salt LiTFSI. We show that MAS induces local chain ordering, which manifests itself as characteristic lineshapes with doublet-like splittings in subsequent solid-state ¹ H, ⁷ Li, and ¹⁹ F static NMR spectra characterizing the PEO chains and solvated ions. MAS results in distributions of stresses and hence local chain orientations within the rotor, yielding distributions in the local magnetic susceptibility tensor that give rise to the observed NMR anisotropy and lineshapes. The effects of MAS were investigated on solid-state ⁷ Li and ¹⁹ F pulsed-field-gradient (PFG) diffusion and ⁷Li longitudinal relaxation NMR measurements. Activation energies for ion diffusion were affected modestly by MAS. ⁷Li longitudinal relaxation rates, which are sensitive to lithium-ion dynamics in the nanosecond regime, were essentially unchanged by MAS. We recommend that NMR researchers studying soft polymeric materials use only the spin rates necessary to achieve the desired enhancements in sensitivity and resolution, as well as acquire static NMR spectra after MAS experiments to reveal any signs of stress-induced local ordering.     

Preparation and characterization of periodic mesoporous organosilica terminally functionalized with fluorocarbon groups by a direct synthesis

Fluorocarbon groups were used to modify the pore channels of ethane-bridged periodic mesoporous organosilica by the co-condensation of 1,2-Bis(triethoxysilyl)ethane (BTESE) and trifluoropropyltrimethoxysilane (TFPTMS) in the presence of Poly(ethylene glycol)-B-Poly(propylene glycol)-B-Poly(ethylene glycol) (P123) surfactants under acidic conditions. The functionalized materials were investigated in detail by means of XRD, TEM, FT-IR, solid-state NMR, and N₂ adsorption. The effect of fluorocarbon groups concentration on the mesoscopic order and pore structure of the functionalized materials was also studied. The results show that bridging groups in the framework do not cleave and fluorocarbon groups are attached covalently to the pore wall of periodic mesoporous organosilica after functionalization. The samples functionalized with 20% TFPTMS remain desired mesoporous architecture, with a narrow pore size distribution centered at 4.1 nm, a large surface of 834 m²/g and a pore volume of 0.91 cm³g⁻¹, without pronounced change compared to the pure periodic mesoporous organosilica. Unfortunately the functionalized materials become structurally disordered with increasing amount of fluorocarbon groups.     

Organically modified porous hydroxyapatites: A comparison between alkylphosphonate grafting and citrate chelation

Two alternative methods to prepare organically modified porous hydroxyapatites following a “one pot” approach were compared. The partial substitution of inorganic phosphates by alkylphosphonates leads to mesoporous materials with high specific surface area (>200 m² g⁻¹). The incorporation of the organic moieties within the hydroxyapatite structure is confirmed by Infra-red and solid-state NMR spectroscopy and depends on the nature of the alkyl chain. However, it induces a significant loss of the material crystallinity. In contrast, the introduction of citrate, a calcium-chelating agent, to the precursor solution does not improve the material specific surface area but allows a better control of the hydroxyapatite structure, both in terms of crystallinity and pore size distribution.     

Dynamics in nanoporous materials probed by 2H solid state NMR: estimation of self-diffusion coefficients

Adsorption - 2H solid-state NMR represents a reliable method for probing the dynamics of the molecules in confined geometries, including microporous and mesoporous materials such as zeolites or...     

13C solid-state NMR complemented by ATR-FTIR and micro-DSC to study modern collagen-based material and historical leather

Ancient vegetable tanned leathers and parchments are very complex materials in which both different manufacturing and deterioration processes make their study and chemical characterisation difficult. In this research, solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was applied to identify different tannin families (condensed and hydrolysable) in historical leather objects such as bookbindings, wall upholsters, footwear and accessories, and military apparel. Furthermore, leather deterioration with special focus on collagen gelatinisation was investigated. A comparison with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and micro-differential scanning calorimetry (micro-DSC) was also performed to support the ¹³C CP-MAS NMR findings and to point out the advantages and limitations of solid-state NMR in analysing historical and archaeological leathers. A wide database of NMR and FTIR spectra of commercial tannins compounds was also collected in order to characterise historical and archaeological leathers.     

Synthesis and characterization of surface modified SBA-15 silica materials and their application in chromatography

Hexagonally ordered SBA-15 mesoporous silica spheres with large uniform pore diameters are obtained using the triblock copolymer, Pluronic P123, as template with a cosurfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and the cosolvent ethanol in acidic media. A series of surface modified SBA-15 silica materials is prepared in the present work using mono- and trifunctional alkyl chains of various lengths which improves the hydrothermal and mechanical stability. Several techniques, such as element analysis, nitrogen sorption analysis, small angle X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), FTIR, solid-state (29)Si and (13)C NMR spectroscopy are employed to characterize the SBA-15 materials before and after surface modification with the organic components. Nitrogen sorption analysis is performed to calculate specific surface area, pore volume and pore size distribution. By surface modification with organic groups, the mesoporous SBA-15 silica spheres are potential materials for stationary phases in HPLC separation of small aromatic molecules and biomolecules. The HPLC performance of the present SBA-15 samples is therefore tested by means of a suitable test mixture.     

In situ 13C solid-state polarization transfer NMR to follow starch transformations in food

Convenience food products tend to alter their quality and texture while stored. Texture-giving food components are often starch-rich ingredients, such as pasta or rice. Starch transforms depending on time, temperature and water content, which alters the properties of products. Monitoring these transformations, which are associated with a change in mobility of the starch chain segments, could optimize the quality of food products containing multiple ingredients. In order to do so, we applied a simple and efficient in situ ¹³C solid-state magic angle spinning (MAS) NMR approach, based on two different polarization transfer schemes, cross polarization (CP) and insensitive nuclei enhanced by polarization transfer (INEPT). The efficiency of the CP and INEPT transfer depends strongly on the mobility of chain segments—the time scale of reorientation of the CH-bond and the order parameter. Rigid crystalline or amorphous starch chains give rise to CP peaks, whereas mobile gelatinized starch chains appear as INEPT peaks. Comparing ¹³C solid-state MAS NMR experiments based on CP and INEPT allows insight into the progress of gelatinization, and other starch transformations, by reporting on both rigid and mobile starch chains simultaneously with atomic resolution by the ¹³C chemical shift. In conjunction with ¹H solid-state MAS NMR, complementary information about other food components present at low concentration, such as lipids and protein, can be obtained. We demonstrate our approach on starch-based products and commercial pasta as a function of temperature and storage.     

Tuning the Molecular Packing of Self-Assembled Amphiphilic PtII Complexes by Varying the Hydrophilic Side-Chain Length

Understanding the relationship between molecular design and packing modes constitutes one of the major challenges in self-assembly and is essential for the preparation of functional materials. Herein, we have achieved high precision control over the supramolecular packing of amphiphilic Pt^II complexes by systematic variation of the hydrophilic side-chain length. A novel approach of general applicability based on complementary X-ray diffraction and solid-state NMR spectroscopy has allowed us to establish a clear correlation between molecular features and supramolecular ordering. Systematically increasing the side-chain length gradually increases the steric demand and reduces the extent of aromatic interactions, thereby inducing a gradual shift in the molecular packing from parallel to a long-slipped organization. Notably, our findings highlight the necessity of advanced solid-state NMR techniques to gain structural information for supramolecular systems where single-crystal growth is not possible. Our work further demonstrates a new molecular design strategy to modulate aromatic interaction strengths and packing arrangements that could be useful for the engineering of functional materials based on Pt^II and aromatic molecules.     

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.     

Hybrid materials of SBA-16 functionalized by rare earth (Eu, Tb) complexes of modified β-diketone (TTA and DBM): Covalently bonding assembly and photophysical properties

Novel mesoporous SBA-16 type of hybrids TTA-S16 and DBM-S16 were synthesized by co-condensation of modified β-diketone (TTA-Si and DBM-Si, DBM=1,3-diphenyl-1,3- propanepione, TTA=2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone) and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) in the presence of Pluronic F127 as template, which were confirmed by FTIR, XRD, ²⁹Si CP-MAS NMR, and N₂ adsorption measurements. Novel organic-inorganic mesoporous luminescent hybrid containing RE³⁺ (Eu³⁺, Tb³⁺) complexes covalently attached to the functionalized ordered mesoporous SBA-16 (TTA-S16 and DBM-S16), which were designated as bpy-RE-TTA-S16 and bpy-RE-DBM-S16, were obtained by sol-gel process. The luminescence properties of these resulting materials were characterized in detail, and the results reveal that mesoporous hybrid material bpy-Eu-TTA-S16 present stronger luminescent intensities, longer lifetimes, and higher luminescent quantum efficiencies than the corresponding DBM-containing materials bpy-Eu-DBM-S16, while bpy-Tb-DBM-S16 exhibit the stronger characteristic emission of Tb³⁺ and longer lifetime than the corresponding TTA-containing materials bpy-Tb-TTA-S16.     

Formation at low surfactant concentrations and characterization of mesoporous MCM-41

At low concentrations of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide,all silica-based mesoporous materials with hexagonal phase have been synthesized via interactions between self-assembled surfactant molecule aggregates and aniomc silicate polymers.The resulting materials are characterized by XRD,FT-IR,solid state 29Si MAS NMR,thermal analysis and N2 adsorption-desorption measurements.After soluble ions are removed,the interactors between surfactant micelles and silicate polymers are reorganized and then form mesostructures 1 he hexagonal framework is sonsistent with amorphous silica gel.The structures of materials depend on the synthesis conditions Hydrothermal process improves the interactions between molecules and increases the degree of framework silicon atom polymerization The.surface area and the mesopore volume of the material prepared at 100℃ increase by 87% and 71 %,respectively,compared with those obtained at room temperature.     

Electrostatic interaction effect for human DNA separation with functionalized mesoporous silicas

This work describes the development of highly efficient human DNA separation with functionalized mesoporous silica (FMS) materials. To demonstrate the electrostatic interaction effect between the target DNA molecules and FMS, three aminofunctionality types comprised of a mono-, a di-, and a tri-amine functional group were introduced on the inner surfaces of mesoporous silica particles. Systematic characterization of the synthesized materials was achieved by solid-state ²⁹Si and ¹³C-NMR techniques, BET, FT-IR, and XPS. The DNA separation efficiency was explored via the function of the amino-group number, the amount used, and the added NaCl concentration. The DNA adsorption yields were high in terms of the use of triaminofunctionalized FMS at the 10 ng/L level, and the DNA desorption efficiency showed the optimum level at over 3.0 M NaCl concentration. The use of FMS in a DNA separation process provides numerous advantages over the conventional silica-based process.     

Solid State NMR Characterisation of Encapsulated Molecules in Mesoporous Silica

Ibuprofen molecules have been encapsulated in mesoporous MCM-41 type-silica functionalised or not by amino groups. They have been characterised by ¹³C and ¹H solid state NMR spectroscopy. The ¹³C MAS single pulse or cross polarization NMR spectra, as well as the ¹H MAS NMR spectra demonstrate an extremely high mobility of the ibuprofen molecules when the matrix is not functionalised. On the contrary, when the silica matrix is functionalized by amino groups, the ¹³C NMR response shows less mobility suggesting the existence of interactions between the amino groups and the carboxylic groups. Benzoic acid as well as benzamide have also been encapsulated and their NMR responses compared to that of ibuprofen.     

Hydrolytic vs. Nonhydrolytic Sol-Gel in Preparation of Mixed Oxide Silica–Alumina Catalysts for Esterification

The development of green and sustainable materials for use as heterogeneous catalysts is a growing area of research in chemistry. In this paper, mesoporous SiO₂-Al₂O₃ mixed oxide catalysts with different Si/Al ratios were prepared via hydrolytic (HSG) and nonhydrolytic sol-gel (NHSG) processes. The HSG route was explored in acidic and basic media, while NHSG was investigated in the presence of diisopropylether as an oxygen donor. The obtained materials were characterized using EDX, N₂-physisorption, powder XRD, ²⁹Si, ²⁷Al MAS-NMR, and NH₃-TPD. This approach offered good control of composition and the Si/Al ratio was found to influence both the texture and the acidity of the mesoporous materials. According to ²⁷Al and ²⁹Si MAS NMR analyses, silicon and aluminum were more regularly distributed in NHSG samples that were also more acidic. Silica–alumina catalysts prepared via NHSG were more active in esterification of acetic acid with n-BuOH.     

Polymeric and polymer-ligated spirobicyclic zwitterionic Janovsky complexes

A novel approach to the synthesis of spirobicyclic Janovsky complexes is described. The complexes were prepared on silica and polystyrene polymeric supports as well as on a solution-borne poly(carbodiimide) polymer with 100% atom economy. A carbon-centered intramolecular de-aromatizing nucleophilic aromatic substitution ipso-cyclization mechanism describes the synthesis of these spirobicyclics. The molecules were characterized by solution and solid-state ¹H and ¹³C NMR, IR, and MS.     

Fast and Selective Aqueous-Phase Oxidation of Styrene to Acetophenone Using a Mesoporous Janus-Type Palladium Catalyst

A heterogeneous Janus-type palladium interphase catalyst was obtained by selective surface modification of a hollow mesoporous silica material. The catalyst comprises hydrophobic octyl groups on one side of the silica nanosheets and single-site bis-imidazoline dichlorido palladium(II) complexes on the other. The structure of this composite material has been analyzed by means of elemental analysis, atomic absorption spectroscopy, BET surface analysis, TGA, SEM and solid-state CP-MAS ¹³C and ²⁹Si NMR spectroscopy. The catalyst showed extraordinary activity for the aqueous-phase oxidation of styrene to acetophenone using 30% hydrogen peroxide as the oxidant. An 88% yield of acetophenone could be achieved after 60 min.     

Cubic Mesoporous Titanium Phosphonates with Multifunctionality

Cubic mesoporous titanium phosphonate materials with bridged organic groups inside the framework were synthesized by means of a one‐pot hydrothermal autoclaving process, with the assistance of cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide. 1‐Hydroxyethylidene‐1,1‐diphosphonic acid was used as the coupling molecule. A typical cubic mesophase with surface area of 1052 m² g^?1 and pore size of 2.6 nm was confirmed by XRD, TEM, and N₂ sorption analysis. The organophosphonate groups were homogeneously incorporated in the network of the mesoporous solids, as revealed by FTIR and magic‐angle spinning (MAS) NMR spectroscopy, and thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry (TG‐DSC) measurements. The synthesized hydroxyethylidene‐bridged cubic mesoporous titanium phosphonates proved to be thermally stable up to 350 °C, with a well‐preserved hybrid framework and cubic mesoporous architecture. The obtained cubic mesophase could be transformed into a hexagonal mesophase by simply adjusting the molar ratios of the added raw materials, namely, a Ti/P molar ratio of 1:4 and a CTAB/Ti molar ratio of 1.9–2.3 for the cubic phase and Ti/P molar ratio of 3:4 and CTAB/Ti molar ratio of 0.1–0.4 for the hexagonal phase. The cubic hybrid materials could be used as efficient photocatalysts for the photodegradation of rhodamine B. Moreover, they were also used for adsorption of CO₂ and heavy metal ions and exhibited a significant capture amount of around 1.0 mmol g^?1 for CO₂ molecules at 35 °C and high adsorption capacity of 28.5 μmol g^?1 for Cu²⁺ ions with good reusability, which demonstrated their promising potential in environmental remediation.