Superslow Backbone Protein Dynamics as Studied by 1D Solid-State MAS Exchange NMR Spectroscopy

Superslow backbone dynamics of the protein barstar and the polypeptide polyglycine was studied by means of a solid-state MAS 1D exchange NMR method (time-reverse ODESSA) that can detect reorientation of nuclei carrying anisotropic chemical shift tensors. Experiments were performed on carbonyl 13C in polyglycine (natural abundance) and backbone 15N nuclei in uniformly 15N-enriched barstar within a wide range of temperatures in dry and wet powders for both samples. Two exchange processes were observed in the experiments: molecular reorientation and spin diffusion. Experimental conditions that are necessary to separate these two processes are discussed on a quantitative level. It was revealed that the wet protein undergoes molecular motion in the millisecond range of correlation times, whereas in dry protein and polyglycine molecular reorientations could not be detected. The correlation time of the motion in the wet barstar at room temperature is 50-100 ms; the activation energy is about 80 kJ/mol. Previously, protein motions with such a long correlation time could be observed only by methods detecting chemical exchange in solution (e.g., hydrogen exchange). The application of solid-state MAS exchange spectroscopy provides new opportunities in studying slow biomolecular dynamics that is important for the biological function of proteins.     

Analytical solutions to several magic-angle spinning NMR experiments

Using the Anderson–Weiss (AW) formalism, analytical expressions of the NMR signal are obtained for the following magic-angle spinning (MAS) experiments: total suppression of sidebands (TOSS); phase adjusted spinning sidebands (PASS); rotational-echo double-resonance (REDOR); rotor-encoded REDOR (REREDOR); cross-polarization magic-angle spinning (CPMAS); exchange induced sidebands (EIS); one-dimensional exchange spectroscopy by sideband alternation (ODESSA); time-reverse ODESSA (trODESSA); centerband-only detection of exchange (CODEX). In order to test the validity of the AW approach, the Gaussian powder approximation is compared with exact powder calculations. A quantitative study of the effect of molecular dynamics on the efficiency of the TOSS and REDOR pulse sequences is then presented.     

Time-Reverse ODESSA. A 1D Exchange Experiment for Rotating Solids with Several Groups of Equivalent Nuclei

A one-dimensional exchange experiment is proposed for magic-angle-spinning samples with several groups of equivalent nuclei undergoing internal exchange, such as pure reorientation, as opposed to mutual exchange. The method, which we term time-reverse ODESSA, is an extension of the recently proposed 1D ODESSA experiment for a single group of exchanging nuclei. When several different groups of spins are present, as is usually the case for carbon-13 in polymers and molecular crystals, the normal ODESSA spectrum yields phase-twisted spectra which are difficult to analyze quantitatively. This problem is solved in the time-reverse ODESSA experiment which yields pure absorption spectra for all families of side bands, as long as only internal exchange need be considered. The experiment consists of the usual three pulse sequence of 2D exchange,P1—t₁—P2—τ_m—P3—t₂(acquisition), except that the evolution time is fixed at half a rotation period,t₁= T_R/2, the mixing time is set to an odd number of half rotation periods, τ_m= (2G− 1)T_R/2, and the acquisition starts att₂= T_R/2 after the detection pulse,P3. The method is demonstrated using the carbon-13 spectra of dimethyl sulfone and an enriched sample of tropolone, and is applied to the study of the π flip of the inner benzene ring of 1,4-diphenoxybenzene. The scope and limitations of the method are discussed.     

Initial conditions for carbon-13 MAS NMR 1D exchange involving chemically equivalent and inequivalent nuclei

A major problem in dynamic 1D ¹³C MAS NMR concerns the exchange between magnetically inequivalent, but chemically equivalent sites, whose signals are not resolved in the regular 1D spectrum. This difficulty may be overcome by properly preparing the initial nonequilibrium state of the spin system in the exchange experiments. In the present paper we discuss the advantages and limitations of several such experiments already in use and propose a new sequence, which we term SELDOM-ODESSA. Unlike the other 1D-exchange methods, this experiment yields pure absorption spectra that can more readily be analyzed quantitatively. The experiment is a hybrid comprising a SELDOM sequence, for selective excitation of one of the spinning sideband manifolds in the spectrum, followed by the ODESSA sequence, which induces alternate polarization in the excited sideband manifold. The evolution of the spectrum following this sequence provides information on both the exchange between congruent sites belonging to the same group of equivalent nuclei, and the exchange between inequivalent sites. Results are presented for a tropolone sample specifically enriched in carbon-13 at the carbonyl and hydroxyl sites. The dominant exchange mechanism in this sample involves spin diffusion. The various spin exchange processes in this sample, in the presence and absence of proton decoupling during the mixing time, are measured and discussed.     

Proton Dynamics in Letovicite, (NH4)3H(SO4)2: A H and N NMR Spectroscopic Study

The improper ferroelastic phase letovicite (NH₄)₃H(SO₄)₂ has been studied by ¹H MAS NMR as well as by static ¹⁴N NMR experiments in the temperature range of 296–425 K. The ¹H MAS NMR resonance from ammonium protons can be well distinguished from that of acidic protons. A third resonance appears just below the phase transition temperature which is due to the acidic protons in the paraelastic phase. The lowering of the second moment M₂ for the ammonium protons takes place in the same temperature range as the formation of domain boundaries, while the signals of the acidic protons suffer a line narrowing in the area of T_c. The static ¹⁴N NMR spectra confirm the temperature of the motional changes of the ammonium tetrahedra. Two-dimensional ¹H NOESY spectra indicate a chemical exchange between ammonium protons and the acidic protons of the paraphase.     

NMR studies of cation transport in the crystalline ion conductors MCF3SO3 (M = Li,Na) and Li7TaO6

In this contribution we present studies on the mechanism of ion transport in crystalline solid electrolytes employing a range of different solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments. The first part is devoted to the elucidation of a possible correlation of cation transport and anion reorientation in the dynamically disordered rotor phases of alkali trifluoromethane sulfonates MCF₃SO₃ (M = Li, Na) employing ⁷Li, ¹³C, ¹⁷O and ²³Na NMR line shape analysis, whereas the second part focuses on the tracking of cation diffusion pathways in the hexaoxometalate Li₇TaO₆ utilizing ⁶Li 1D and 2D exchange MAS NMR approaches.     

MAS NMR studies of carbon-13 spin exchange in durene

One- (1-D) and two-dimensional (2-D) carbon-13 NMR exchange measurements in powder samples of isotopically normal durene under magic angle spinning (MAS) are reported. The experiments include rotor synchronized 2-D exchange (RS2DE), 1-D magnetization transfer (MT) and time reverse ODESSA (tr-ODESSA). The latter two experiments were performed as a function of several external parameters, including proton decoupling field during mixing time, sample spinning rate and partly, of temperature. The effects of these parameters on the spin exchange induced by spin diffusion and by chemical, or physical exchange, is discussed. Spin exchange between all types of carbons in the durene molecules occurs on the time scale of seconds. From the dependence of the spin exchange rate on the external parameters it is concluded that the process is dominated by spin diffusion. On the basis of these results an upper limit of 10(-16) cm2 s(-1) can be set for the self-diffusion constant in crystalline durene.     

Large angle jumps of small molecules in amorphous matrices analyzed by 2D exchange NMR

The reorientation dynamics of deuterated benzene and hexamethyl benzene as additives to the glass former oligostyrene is studied below the glass transition temperature T_g. By means of 2D ²H NMR, analyzed in the frequency and in the time domain, it is shown that the dynamics of the small molecules is governed by an isotropic large angle reorientation process, which is close to the random jump model. Furthermore, the dynamics is characterized by a broad distribution of correlation times. Even 65 K below T_g, a fraction of small molecules reorients on the timescale of 100 ms. In contrast, small angle reorientation dominates in the neat glass former polystyrene near T_g. As a consequence of the presence of large angle jumps, the 2D spectra can be described by an additive superposition of two sub-spectra—a ridge along the diagonal and a complete exchange pattern—where the weighting factor W(t_m) is directly given by the reorientational correlation function F₂(t_m). Additionally, for a sample with very low benzene concentration (c≈0.5%), the 1D spectra indicate that the same dynamic scenario is present in the single particle limit. Tentatively, we assume that the large angle reorientation of the small molecules is associated with a translational diffusion process of the small molecules within the amorphous matrix.     

A C solid-state NMR analysis of vitamin D compounds

¹³C cross-polarization/magic-angle spinning (CP/MAS) solid-state NMR spectroscopy has been employed to analyze four vitamin D compounds, namely vitamin D3 (D3), vitamin D2 (D2), and the precursors ergosterol (Erg) and 7-dehydrocholesterol (7DHC). The ¹³C NMR spectrum of D3 displays a doublet pattern for each of the carbon atoms, while that of Erg contains both singlet and doublet patterns. In the cases of 7DHC and D2, the ¹³C spectra display various multiplet patterns, viz. singlets, doublets, triplets, and quartets. To overcome the signal overlap between the ¹³C resonances of protonated and unprotonated carbons, we have subjected these vitamin D compounds to 1D ¹H-filtered ¹³C CP/MAS and {¹H}/¹³C heteronuclear correlation (Hetcor) NMR experiments. As a result, assisted by solution NMR data, all of the ¹³C resonances have been successfully assigned to the respective carbon atoms of these vitamin D compounds. The ¹³C multiplets are interpreted due to the presence of s-cis and s-trans configurations in the α- and β-molecular conformers, consistent with computer molecular modeling determined by molecular dynamics and energy minimization calculations. To further characterize the ring conformations in D3, we have successfully extracted chemical shift tensor elements for the ¹³C doublets. It is demonstrated that ¹³C solid-state NMR spectroscopy provides a robust and high sensitive means of characterizing molecular conformations in vitamin D compounds.     

Phase Sensitive Detection of 2D Homonuclear Correlation Spectra in MAS NMR

A pulse scheme for phase sensitive detection of two-dimensional (2D) homonuclear correlation magic angle spinning (MAS) NMR spectra is proposed. This scheme combines the time proportional phase increment phase cycling scheme and the time reversal 2D MAS experiment. This approach enables the direct detection of purely absorptive 2D MAS spectra, containing cross peaks that connect only diagonal peaks of dipolar correlated spins.     

6,7Li NMR study of ion mobility on the molecular scale in lithated imidazole complexes

Two model compounds, lithium imidazolium (LiIm) and lithium 2-undecylimidazolium (und-LiIm), were synthesized. These materials are chosen as models of potential lithium ion conductors for use as electrolytes in lithium batteries. Solid-state NMR was used to provide information on the microscopic interactions including ionic mobility and ring reorientations which govern the efficiency of conductivity. Lithium imidazolium was mixed with lithium methylsulfonate, generating a doped complex in which a doubly lithiated imidazole ring was inferred based on the ⁷Li NMR chemical shifts. Our research includes ^6,7Li variable temperature MAS NMR experiments at intermediate spinning speeds, relaxation studies to determine spin-lattice relaxation times (T₁) of lithium ion hopping, and 2D exchange spectroscopy to determine possible chemical exchange processes. The possibility of 2-site ring reorientation for the doubly lithiated imidazole ring was supported by exchange spectroscopy. Comparisons of spin-lattice relaxation times and corresponding activation energies of the lithium imidazolium and the doped complex point to a higher degree of mobility in the latter.Lithium 2-undecylimidazolium was prepared and exhibited a lower melting point than the parent lithium imidazolium, as expected. This small molecule was chosen as representative of a side-chain functionalized polyethylene-based material. ⁷Li MAS spectra show mainly the presence of the doubly lithiated imidazole ring in pure und-LiIm, and in the LiCH₃SO₃–und-LiIm mixture. The data clearly indicate local mobility of the lithium ions in the materials.     

Determination of Reorientation Angles from Two-Dimensional Exchange Spectra of Powders in Radiospectroscopy

A method for transforming a 2D exchange spectrum into an orientation representation is proposed which is based on finding the reorientation probability as a function of angles. A procedure of evaluation and analysis of two-dimensional magnetic spectra of powders is described and a method for finding the asymmetry parameter from 2D exchange spectra is proposed. The capabilities of the method are illustrated for a model ³⁵Cl 2D nutation exchange NQR spectrum of chloral hydrate CCl₃CH(OH)₂ and an experimental ¹³C 2D exchange NMR spectrum of dimethylsulphone CH₃–SO₂–CH₃. The asymmetry parameter of the chemical shift tensor for this compound is determined.     

NMR study of heterogeneity in pyridine-N-oxide...HCl crystal

An origin of narrow ¹H NMR signals in pyridine-N-oxide (PyO)...HCl crystal has been investigated by means of MAS, SPEDAS, NOESY and COSY techniques. Spectra of crystalline samples are compared with those of solid phase obtained from liquid PyO...HCl solutions (in acetonitile/H₂O) after the heterogeneous phase separation. It has been concluded that partially resolved peaks in ¹H NMR spectra of solids are related with heterogeneity of spin system and presence of different H-bond clusters of water molecules. NOESY spectra show no cross-peaks even at very long mixing time (500 ms). This indicates there is no exchange process between spins causing different peaks, and thus the corresponding molecular aggregates are captured in “islands of mobility8 without any channels sufficient for exchange. Appearance of MAS side bands as “pseudo8 cross-peaks in 2D NMR spectra using MAS/COSY technique is reported. In the case of accidental coincidence of spinning frequency (ω _MAS ) with spectral distances between some diagonal signals, intensive non-diagonal peaks are observed at the corresponding cross-positions. A misleading conclusion concerning spin coupling is easy to avoid using various ω _MAS . This work is dedicated to Professor Robert Blinc on the occasion of his 70^th birthday.     

Parallelizing acquisitions of solid-state NMR spectra with multi-channel probe and multi-receivers: Applications to nanoporous solids

A five-channel (¹H, ¹⁹F, ³¹P, ²⁷Al, ¹³C) 2.5 mm magic-angle-spinning (MAS) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) probe is used in combination with three separate receivers for the parallel acquisitions of one (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) NMR spectra in model fluorinated aluminophosphate and porous Al-based metal-organic framework (MOF). Possible combinations to record simultaneously spectra using this set-up are presented, including (i) parallel acquisitions of quantitative 1D NMR spectra of solids containing nuclei with contrasted T₁ relaxation rates and (ii) parallel acquisitions of 2D heteronuclear NMR spectra. In solids containing numerous different NMR-accessible nuclei, the number of NMR experiments that have to be acquired to get accurate structural information is high. The strategy we present here, i.e. the multiplication of both the number of irradiation channels in the probe and the number of parallel receivers, offers one possibility to optimize this measurement time.     

Multiple resonance heteronuclear decoupling under MAS: dramatic increase of spectral resolution at moderate magnetic field and MAS frequencies

The effects of multiple-resonance heteronuclear decoupling under magic angle spinning (MAS) on the resolution of one-dimensional ¹⁹F and ³¹P and various two-dimensional MAS NMR spectra and on the residual non-refocusable coherence lifetimes in fluorinated aluminophosphate AlPO₄-CJ2, i.e. a compound that contains numerous highly abundant nuclei but no homonuclear spin bath, has been investigated. The design of the four-channel (¹H, ¹⁹F, ²⁷Al, ³¹P) MAS probe used for this study is first described. ¹H and ¹H–²⁷Al double-resonance decouplings allows lengthening the optimized transverse relaxation and increasing the resolution in the ¹⁹F and ³¹P dimensions. Under the application of multi-nuclear decoupling, a two-dimensional ¹⁹F–³¹P CP-HETCOR correlation spectrum for AlPO₄-CJ2 is recorded with unprecedented high-resolution in the two dimensions. Moreover, because ¹H-decoupling increases the ¹⁹F , it has been applied during the entire duration of the 2D NMR experiments, allowing the direct use of residual small interactions to generate ¹⁹F–¹⁹F and ¹⁹F–²⁷Al 2D NMR correlation spectra in AlPO₄-CJ2.     

Proton dynamics in letovicite, (NH4)3H(SO4)2: a 1H and 14N NMR spectroscopic study

The improper ferroelastic phase letovicite (NH₄)₃H(SO₄)₂ has been studied by ¹H MAS NMR as well as by static ¹⁴N NMR experiments in the temperature range of 296–425 K. The ¹H MAS NMR resonance from ammonium protons can be well distinguished from that of acidic protons. A third resonance appears just below the phase transition temperature which is due to the acidic protons in the paraelastic phase. The lowering of the second moment M₂ for the ammonium protons takes place in the same temperature range as the formation of domain boundaries, while the signals of the acidic protons suffer a line narrowing in the area of T_c. The static ¹⁴N NMR spectra confirm the temperature of the motional changes of the ammonium tetrahedra. Two-dimensional ¹H NOESY spectra indicate a chemical exchange between ammonium protons and the acidic protons of the paraphase.     

Dual processing of two-dimensional exchange data in magic angle spinning NMR of solids.

We discuss procedures for processing data in rotor-synchronized two-dimensional magic angle spinning (2D MAS) NMR exchange measurements for both structural and dynamical studies. We show, both mathematically and experimentally, that there are two distinct data processing procedures that lead to 2D MAS exchange spectra with purely absorptive crosspeaks. One procedure is that described previously by Hagemeyer, Schmidt-Rohr, and Spiess (HSS). The other procedure is related, but different, and leads to crosspeak intensities given by the formulae of Herzfeld, Roberts, and Griffin (HRG). In 2D MAS exchange experiments on doubly (13)C-labeled l-alanylglycylglycine, we demonstrate that the HSS and HRG crosspeak intensities can be extracted separately from the same data set and contain independent information. Processing and analysis of 2D MAS exchange data with both the HSS and the HRG procedures may enhance utilization of the information content of 2D MAS exchange measurements.     

Al Multiple-Quantum MAS NMR of Mechanically Treated Bayerite (α-Al(OH)3) and Silica Mixtures

Two-dimensional ²⁷Al multiple-quantum magic angle spinning (MQMAS) NMR experiments are used to study mixtures of bayerite (α-Al(OH)₃) with either silicic acid (SiO₂.nH₂O) or silica gel (SiO₂) that have been ground together for varying lengths of time. This mechanical treatment produces changes in the ²⁷Al MAS and MQMAS NMR spectra that correspond to the formation of new Al species. Mean values of the quadrupolar interaction (P_Q) and isotropic chemical shift (δ_CS) are extracted from the two-dimensional ²⁷Al NMR spectra for each of these species. The presence of significant distributions of both ²⁷Al quadrupolar and chemical shift parameters is demonstrated and the effect of grinding duration on the magnitudes of these distributions is discussed.     

Biomolecular solid state NMR with magic-angle spinning at 25K

A magic-angle spinning (MAS) probe has been constructed which allows the sample to be cooled with helium, while the MAS bearing and drive gases are nitrogen. The sample can be cooled to 25 K using roughly 3 L/h of liquid helium, while the 4-mm diameter rotor spins at 6.7 kHz with good stability (±5 Hz) for many hours. Proton decoupling fields up to at least 130 kHz can be applied. This helium-cooled MAS probe enables a variety of one-dimensional and two-dimensional NMR experiments on biomolecular solids and other materials at low temperatures, with signal-to-noise proportional to 1/T. We show examples of low-temperature ¹³C NMR data for two biomolecular samples, namely the peptide Aβ_14–23 in the form of amyloid fibrils and the protein HP35 in frozen glycerol/water solution. Issues related to temperature calibration, spin–lattice relaxation at low temperatures, paramagnetic doping of frozen solutions, and ¹³C MAS NMR linewidths are discussed.