“CLASSIC NMR”: An In‐Situ NMR Strategy for Mapping the Time‐Evolution of Crystallization Processes by Combined Liquid‐State and Solid‐State Measurements

A new in‐situ NMR strategy (termed CLASSIC NMR) for mapping the evolution of crystallization processes is reported, involving simultaneous measurement of both liquid‐state and solid‐state NMR spectra as a function of time. This combined strategy allows complementary information to be obtained on the evolution of both the solid and liquid phases during the crystallization process. In particular, as crystallization proceeds (monitored by solid‐state NMR), the solution state becomes more dilute, leading to changes in solution‐state speciation and the modes of molecular aggregation in solution, which are monitored by liquid‐state NMR. The CLASSIC NMR experiment is applied here to yield new insights into the crystallization of m‐aminobenzoic acid.     

In situ solid-state NMR for heterogeneous catalysis: a joint experimental and theoretical approach

In situ solid-state NMR is a well-established tool for investigations of the structures of the adsorbed reactants, intermediates and products on the surface of solid catalysts. The techniques allow identifications of both the active sites such as acidic sites and reaction processes after introduction of adsorbates and reactants inside an NMR rotor under magic angle spinning (MAS). The in situ solid-state NMR studies of the reactions can be achieved in two ways, i.e. under batch-like or continuous-flow conditions. The former technique is low cost and accessible to the commercial instrument while the latter one is close to the real catalytic reactions on the solids. This critical review describes the research progress on the in situ solid-state NMR techniques and the applications in heterogeneous catalysis under batch-like and continuous-flow conditions in recent years. Some typical probe molecules are summarized here to detect the Br?nsted and Lewis acidic sites by MAS NMR. The catalytic reactions discussed in this review include methane aromatization, olefin selective oxidation and olefin metathesis on the metal oxide-containing zeolites. With combining the in situ MAS NMR spectroscopy and the density functional theoretical (DFT) calculations, the intermediates on the catalyst can be identified, and the reaction mechanism is revealed. Reaction kinetic analysis in the nanospace instead of in the bulk state can also be performed by employing laser-enhanced MAS NMR techniques in the in situ flow mode (163 references).     

Resonating valence bond ground state in oxygen-functionalized phenalenyl-based neutral radical molecular conductors

We report the preparation, crystallization, and solid-state characterization of the first two members of a new family of spiro-bis(1,9-disubstituted phenalenyl)boron neutral radicals based solely on oxygen functionalization, and we show that this strategy significantly lowers the electrochemical disproportionation potentials (DeltaE), in comparison with other spiro-bis(1,9-disubstituted phenalenyl)boron salts. In the solid state, these radicals pack in a continuous array of pi-pi-stacked phenalenyl units with very short intermolecular carbon...carbon contacts. These two radicals are among the most highly conducting neutral organic solids, with room temperature conductivities reaching 0.3 S/cm. Magnetic susceptibility measurements show that the radicals do not exist as isolated free radicals, and there is significant spin-spin interaction between the molecules in the solid state as expected from the crystal structures and the calculated band structures; the solid-state properties are best rationalized in terms of the resonating valence bond model.     

锂/钠离子电池材料的固体核磁共振研究进展

固体核磁共振技术是一种定量分析固体材料结构与组成的强有力手段,结合固体核磁共振和常规x-射线衍射(XRD)、 x-射线吸收谱(XAS)等表征方法可对锂/钠离子电池材料在电化学反应中的结构演化过程进行全面的分析. 例如通过固体核磁共振研究, 可获得不同合成与修饰条件下, 锂/钠离子电池电极和电解质材料体相以及电极/电解质界面层的化学组成、局域结构和离子扩散动力学等信息,为高性能电池材料的设计和研发提供重要的基础数据. 本文结合本课题组的研究工作,综述了近三年来国内外固体核磁共振技术在锂/钠离子电池电极、电解质材料以及固体电解质界面膜（SEI）研究中的应用和进展.     

Supramolecular complexation of alkali cations through mechanochemical reactions between crystalline solids

The organometallic zwitterion [Co(III)(eta(5)-C(5)H(4)COOH)(eta(5)-C(5)H(4)COO)] reacts quantitatively as a solid polycrystalline phase with a number of crystalline alkali salts MX (M = K(+), Rb(+), Cs(+), NH(4) (+); X = Cl(-), Br(-), I(-), PF(6)(-), although not in all cation/anion permutations) to afford supramolecular complexes of the formula [Co(III)(eta(5)-C(5)H(4)COOH)(eta(5)-C(5)H(4)COO)](2).M(+)X(-). In some cases, the mechanochemical complexation requires kneading of the two solids with a catalytic amount of water. The characterization of the solid-state products has been achieved by a combination of X-ray single-crystal and powder-diffraction experiments. The hydrogen-bonding interactions have been investigated by solid-state NMR spectroscopy. The mechanochemical reactions imply a profound solid-state rearrangement accompanied by breaking and forming of O-H...O hydrogen-bonding interactions between the organometallic molecules. All compounds could also be obtained by solution crystallization of the inorganic salts in the presence of the organometallic unit. The solid-state complexation of alkali cations by the organometallic zwitterion has been described as a special kind of solvation process taking place in the solid state.     

UV-Raman and NMR spectroscopic studies on the crystallization of zeolite A and a new synthetic route

UV-Raman and NMR spectroscopy, combined with other techniques, have been used to characterize crystallization of zeolite A. In situ UV-Raman spectroscopy shows that the starting gel for crystallization of zeolite A contains a lot of four-ring (4R) building units and the appearance of six-ring (6R) building blocks is the signal for crystal formation. (29)Si NMR spectroscopy results suggest that the starting gel is double four-ring (D4R) rich and during crystallization of zeolite A both α and β cages appear. (27)Al NMR spectroscopy results indicate the absence of Al (2Si) species in the starting gel, suggesting the absence of single 4R building units in the starting gel. Furthermore, composition analysis of both solid and liquid samples shows that the solid rather than liquid phase predominates for the crystallization of zeolite A. Therefore, it is proposed that the crystallization of zeolite A mainly occurs in the solid phase by self-assembly or rearrangement starting from the zeolite building units mainly consisting of D4R. The essential role of D4R is directly confirmed by successful conversion from a solution of D4R to zeolite A in the presence of NaCl, and the importance of solid phase is reasonably demonstrated by the successful synthesis of zeolite A from a dry aluminosilicate gel. By considering that the solid phase has a major contribution to crystallization, a novel route was designed to synthesizing zeolite A from the raw materials water glass (Na(2)SiO(3) in aqueous solution) and NaAlO(2), without additional water and NaOH; this route not only simplifies synthetic procedures, but reduces water consumption.     

Self-assembly of dialkyltin(IV) moieties and aromatic dicarboxylates to complexes with a polymeric or a discrete trinuclear macrocyclic structure in the solid state and a mixture of fast interchanging cyclooligomeric structures in solution

It is well-known that the structures of trialkyltin(IV) carboxylates can be either monomeric, polymeric, or cyclooligomeric in the solid state. In contrast, all dialkyltin(IV) dicarboxylates characterized so far in the solid state have monomeric or polymeric structures, however, for some cases it has been proposed that their solution-state structure is cyclooligomeric. In order to generate more information on this subject, dimethyl- and di-n-butyltin(IV) complexes with phthalic and isophthalic acid have been prepared and analyzed both in solution and in the solid state. The solid-state structures of the two dialkyltin(IV) phthalates examined herein contain polymeric molecular chains, however, with supramolecular Sn.O' interactions, which result in the generation of cyclooligomeric units. This provides evidence for the presence of discrete cyclooligomeric structures in solution, which are involved in fast dynamic exchange equilibria as evidenced by (1)H, (13)C, and (119)Sn NMR spectroscopy. In the case of the two dialkyltin(IV) isophthalate complexes studied herein (R = Me, n-Bu), only the di-n-butyltin derivative is soluble and NMR spectroscopy as well as FAB(+) spectrometry indicates the formation of cyclic dinuclear, trinuclear, and/or tetranuclear species in solution, which may be involved also in fast dynamic exchange equilibria. In the solid state, however, discrete cyclotrinuclear units can be identified, in which the 24-membered macrocyclic cavity is almost completely planar, having six oxygen atoms directed into its interior and six Sn-n-butyl groups approximately perpendicular to the molecular plane. The diameter of the cyclic cavity can be described by the transannular O.O distances that vary from 7.68 to 7.84 A, being large enough for the introduction of linear alkyl groups. This can be demonstrated by the supramolecular structure of this compound, which contains a new type of bis[2]pseudorotaxane formed between two molecules through mutual threading via two of the Sn-butyl groups. Such a supramolecular entity has been unknown so far, since the usual composition of bis[2]pseudorotaxanes is the trimolecular combination of a macrocyclic ring system with two threads.     

Polymorphism of N,N'-diacetylbiuret studied by solid-state 13C and 15N NMR spectroscopy, DFT calculations, and X-ray diffraction

The molecular configuration and crystal structure of solid polycrystalline N,N′′‐diacetylbiuret (DAB), a potential nitrogen‐rich fertilizer, have been analyzed by a combination of solid‐ and liquid‐state NMR spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and DFT calculations. Initially a pure NMR study (“NMR crystallography”) was performed as available single crystals of DAB were not suitable for X‐ray diffraction. Solid‐state ¹³C NMR spectra revealed the unexpected existence of two polymorphic modifications (α‐ and β‐DAB) obtained from different chemical procedures. Several NMR techniques were applied for a thorough characterization of the molecular system, revealing chemical shift anisotropy (CSA) tensors of selected nuclei in the solid state, chemical shifts in the liquid state, and molecular dynamics in the solid state. Dynamic NMR spectroscopy of DAB in solution revealed exchange between two different configurations, which raised the question, is there a correlation between the two different configurations found in solution and the two polymorphic modifications found in the solid state? By using this knowledge, a new crystallization protocol was devised which led to the growth of single crystals suitable for X‐ray diffraction. The X‐ray data showed that the same symmetric configuration is present in both polymorphic modifications, but the packing patterns in the crystals are different. In both cases hydrogen bonds lead to the formation of planes of DAB molecules. Additional symmetry elements, a two‐fold screw in the case of α‐DAB and a c‐glide plane in the case of β‐DAB, lead to a more symmetric (α‐DAB) or asymmetric (β‐DAB) intermolecular hydrogen‐bonding pattern for each molecule.     

Insights into the Crystallization and Structural Evolution of Glycine Dihydrate by In Situ Solid‐State NMR Spectroscopy

In situ solid‐state NMR spectroscopy is exploited to monitor the structural evolution of a glycine/water glass phase formed on flash cooling an aqueous solution of glycine, with a range of modern solid‐state NMR methods applied to elucidate structural properties of the solid phases present. The glycine/water glass is shown to crystallize into an intermediate phase, which then transforms to the β polymorph of glycine. Our in situ NMR results fully corroborate the identity of the intermediate crystalline phase as glycine dihydrate, which was first proposed only very recently.     

Synthesis and solid-state study of supramolecular host-guest assemblies: Bis[6-O,6-O'-(1,2:3,4-diisopropylidene-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl)thiophosphoryl] dichalcogenides

A complementary approach for studying structural details of complex solid materials formed by symmetrical and unsymmetrical dichalcogenides, which employs both X-ray diffraction (XRD) and solid-state NMR (SS NMR), is presented. The new diagnostic technique allows reversible crystallographic space group change and very subtle distortion of host geometry to be followed during guest migration in the crystal lattice. Bis[6-O,6-O'-(1,2:3,4-diisopropylidene-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl)]thiophosphoryl selenenyl sulfide, a representative of wheel-and-axle host (WAAH) molecules, can be synthesized in the solid state by grinding and gentle heating of disulfide 1 and diselenide 2. Full characterization of disulfide 1 in the solid phase has been reported (J. Org. Chem. 1995, 60, 2549). In the current work, the synthesis and both XRD and SS NMR studies of the isostructural diselenide substrate 2 are presented. A (31)P cross polarization magic angle spinning experiment is employed to follow the progress of synthesis of selenenyl sulfide 3 in the solid state. It is concluded that selenenyl sulfide exists in equilibrium with disulfide and diselenide in a 1:1:1 ratio in both the liquid and the powdered solid. A mixture of isostructural dichalcogenides crystallized from different solvents form three-component host-guest inclusion complexes with columnar architecture. In the host-guest complex of diselenide 2 with toluene (space group C2), columns of host molecules are in parallel orientations along all the axes, whereas in the structures of diselenide 2 with propan-2-ol and propan-1-ol (space group P3 2), the columns of host molecules lay along the 3-fold symmetry axis. Thermal processes effecting structural changes in the host lattice and the kinetics of reversible guest molecule diffusion were investigated using SS NMR spectroscopy. Finally, the Se/S scrambling phenomenon and limitations in the X-ray structure refinement of organic compounds containing selenium and sulfur in chains are discussed.     

An examination of metal-ligand binding modes in rubidium diphenylmethanide

A powerful new synthetic method allows for the exploration of an interesting class of rubidium diphenylmethanides showing different solid-state modifications depending on the crystallization temperatures. Theoretical and structural analysis in the solution and the solid state leads to a broader understanding of metal-ligand binding modes.     

High‐field 95Mo and 183W static and MAS NMR study of polyoxometalates

The potential of high‐field NMR to measure solid‐state ⁹⁵Mo and ¹⁸³W NMR in polyoxometalates (POMs) is explored using some archetypical structures like Lindqvist, Keggin and Dawson as model compounds that are well characterized in solution. NMR spectra in static and under magic angle spinning (MAS) were obtained, and their analysis allowed extraction of the NMR parameters, including chemical shift anisotropy and quadrupolar coupling parameters. Despite the inherent difficulties of measurement in solid state of these low‐gamma NMR nuclei, due mainly to the low spectral resolution and poor signal‐to‐noise ratio, the observed global trends compare well with the solution‐state NMR data. This would open an avenue for application of solid‐state NMR to POMs, especially when liquid‐state NMR is not possible, e.g., for poorly soluble or unstable compounds in solution, and for giant molecules with slow tumbling motion. This is the case of Keplerate where we provide here the first NMR characterization of this class of POMs in the solid state. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

固体核磁共振技术在固体酸催化剂表征及催化反应机理研究之应用进展

固体酸催化剂广泛应用于现代石油与化学工业中,其反应活性与其酸性密切相关.与传统的酸性表征方法(红外光谱、程序升温脱附、滴定等)相比,利用先进的探针分子技术、双共振和二维相关谱等核磁共振(NMR)技术可以获取固体催化剂酸种类、酸分布、酸浓度和酸强度等完整信息.同时,原位固体NMR实验可跟踪反应分子在催化剂活性中心吸附状态和转换的中间体物种,为揭示反应机理提供了最直接的实验证据.本文详细介绍了固体NMR的原理和一系列相关新技术,着重综述了固体NMR技术在酸催化剂结构、活性中心特性以及催化反应机理方面的应用进展.     

固体酸催化剂结构与催化反应机理的核磁共振研究

Solid acid catalysts have been widely used in advanced petrochemical processes because of their environmental friendliness, high product selectivity, and easy product separation. Solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a well-established tool for structure determination and dynamic study of various functional materials. In this review, we focus mainly on our research using solid-state NMR to characterize the acid properties and elucidate the catalytic reaction mechanism of solid acid catalysts. The acid strength of solid acids can be quantitatively measured from the chemical shifts of adsorbed probe molecules such as pyridine, acetone, trialkylphosphine oxides, and trimethylphosphine. The spatial proximity and synergetic effect of various acid sites on solid acid catalysts can be ascertained by two-dimensional (2D) double-quantum magic angle spinning (DQ MAS) NMR spectroscopy. Additionally, in situ solid-state NMR spectroscopy can be used to explore heterogeneous catalytic reaction mechanisms by monitoring the evolution of the reactants, intermediates, and products.     

Crystallization during polymerization of diazomethane. I. The boron trifluoride catalyzed reaction

The polymerization and crystallization of diazomethane was analyzed starting with various monomer and catalyst concentrations by following the monomer concentration and analysis of the solid polymethylene produced. Electron microscopy, thermal analysis, x-ray diffraction, and viscometry and density determinations were used to characterize the crystals as produced and after etching with nitric acid. The crystals have a fibrillar and a lamellar component and show no regular chain folding of the molecules. The overall process follows only very approximately the path expected for an ideal living-polymer system capable of reaction in solution and in the solid state. For more detailed correspondence, it was necessary to assume two reaction paths and two crystallization paths.     

Ultralarge hyperpolarizability twisted pi-electron system electro-optic chromophores: synthesis, solid-state and solution-phase structural characteristics, electronic structures, linear and nonlinear optical properties, and computational studies

This contribution details the synthesis and chemical/physical characterization of a series of unconventional twisted pi-electron system electro-optic (EO) chromophores. Crystallographic analysis of these chromophores reveals large ring-ring dihedral twist angles (80-89 degrees) and a highly charge-separated zwitterionic structure dominating the ground state. NOE NMR measurements of the twist angle in solution confirm that the solid-state twisting persists essentially unchanged in solution. Optical, IR, and NMR spectroscopic studies in both the solution phase and solid state further substantiate that the solid-state structural characteristics persist in solution. The aggregation of these highly polar zwitterions is investigated using several experimental techniques, including concentration-dependent optical and fluorescence spectroscopy and pulsed field gradient spin-echo (PGSE) NMR spectroscopy in combination with solid-state data. These studies reveal clear evidence of the formation of centrosymmetric aggregates in concentrated solutions and in the solid state and provide quantitative information on the extent of aggregation. Solution-phase DC electric-field-induced second-harmonic generation (EFISH) measurements reveal unprecedented hyperpolarizabilities (nonresonant mubeta as high as -488,000 x 10(-48) esu at 1907 nm). Incorporation of these chromophores into guest-host poled polyvinylphenol films provides very large electro-optic coefficients (r(33)) of approximately 330 pm/V at 1310 nm. The aggregation and structure-property effects on the observed linear/nonlinear optical properties are discussed. High-level computations based on state-averaged complete active space self-consistent field (SA-CASSCF) methods provide a new rationale for these exceptional hyperpolarizabilities and demonstrate significant solvation effects on hyperpolarizabilities, in good agreement with experiment. As such, this work suggests new paradigms for molecular hyperpolarizabilities and electro-optics.     

Solid-state CP/MAS 13C-NMR studies of naphthalene-based thermotropic polyesters and model compounds

Thermotropic aromatic polyesters based on 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid and 4,4′-dihydroxy-1,6-diphenoxyhexane 1a and -decane 1b have been synthesized by solution polymerization. The solid-state structures of these polyesters have been examined by high-resolution solid-state CP/MAS (cross polarization/magic angle spinning) and solution ¹³C-NMR. For precipitated original samples, alkylene spacers were generally in the all-trans form in the solid state. For once-melted samples, torsional gauche conformations were introduced to the spacers. The mesophase of the polyesters was identified as nematic. The temperature ranges of the nematic state of 1a and 1b were much wider than those of analogous polymers 2a and 2b based on terephthalic acid. For these polyesters, the substitution of the 2,6-naphthalene ring for the benzene ring induced no appreciable change in the conformation of the diphenoxy alkylene units in the solid state and on the melting points. Thermotropic ester model compounds, i.e., bis(4-butoxyphenyl) 2,6-naphthalate 3a and bis(4-butylphenyl) 2,6-naphthalate 3b have been prepared and characterized by both solid-state and solution NMR, which helped the interpretation of the solid-state structures of the polyesters. These spectra were compared with those of terephthalate-based related compounds 4a and 4b . The solid-state spectra suggest that the butoxyphenyl group of 3a and the butylphenyl group of 3b formed almost the same conformations as those of 4a and 4b , respectively.     

Crystallization Force—A Density Functional Theory Concept for Revealing Intermolecular Interactions and Molecular Packing in Organic Crystals

Organic molecules are prone to polymorphic formation in the solid state due to the rich diversity of functional groups that results in comparable intermolecular interactions, which can be greatly affected by the selection of solvent and other crystallization conditions. Intermolecular interactions are typically weak forces, such as van der Waals and stronger short‐range ones including hydrogen bonding, that are believed to determine the packing of organic molecules during the crystal‐growth process. A different packing of the same molecules leads to the formation of a new crystal structure. To disclose the underlying causes that drive the molecule to have various packing motifs in the solid state, an electronic concept or function within the framework of conceptual density functional theory has been developed, namely, crystallization force. The concept aims to describe the local change in electronic structure as a result of the self‐assembly process of crystallization and may likely quantify the locality of intermolecular interactions that directs the molecular packing in a crystal. To assess the applicability of the concept, 5‐methyl‐2‐[(2‐nitrophenyl)amino]‐3‐thiophenecarbonitrile, so‐called ROY, which is known to have the largest number of solved polymorphs, has been examined. Electronic calculations were conducted on the seven available crystal structures as well as on the single molecule. The electronic structures were analyzed and crystallization force values were obtained. The results indicate that the crystallization forces are able to reveal intermolecular interactions in the crystals, in particular, the close contacts that are formed between molecules. Strong correlations exist between the total crystallization force and lattice energy of a crystal structure, further suggesting the underlying connection between the crystallization force and molecular packing.     

Abiotic metallofoldamers as electrochemically responsive molecules

Described are the design, synthesis, and study of nonbiological molecules based on salophen and salen ligands that fold into single-stranded helices in the presence of either Ni(II) or Cu(II). X-ray diffraction studies show that the materials fold into helical structures in the solid state, and a series of NMR studies provide strong evidence that the folded structures are conserved in solution. Metal coordination is required for folding, as NMR and X-ray show that the free ligands do not adopt helical structures. Two of the racemic metallofoldamers spontaneously resolve during crystallization from CHCl3/acetonitrile, and CD spectroscopy and optical rotation show that the resolved, crystalline materials racemize quickly when dissolved at 5 degrees C. This shows that the secondary structures can reorganize easily and can, therefore, provide the basis for responsive materials. By comparison, an analogue from enantiomerically pure (R,R)-(-)-trans-cyclohexanediamine showed a strong CD signal and a large specific rotation. Electrochemical experiments show that a structural reorganization occurs upon metal-centered reduction of a Cu(II)-containing foldamer. When the reduction is carried out in the presence of coordinating ligands, it is proposed that apical binding of those ligands gives square pyramidal complexes. Semiempirical (AM1) calculations support that the helical structure would be disrupted by the reduction to Cu(I) with concomitant reorganization to a square pyramidal complex.     

The initial stages of solid acid-catalyzed reactions of adsorbed propane. A mechanistic study by in situ MAS NMR

In situ solid-state NMR spectroscopy was employed to study the kinetics of hydrogen/deuterium exchange and scrambling as well as (13)C scrambling reactions of labeled propane over Al(2)O(3)-promoted sulfated zirconia (SZA) catalyst under mild conditions (30-102 degrees C). Three competitive pathways of isotope redistribution were observed during the course of the reaction: (1) a regioselective H/D exchange between acidic protons of the solid surface and the deuterons of the methyl group of propane-1,1,1,3,3,3-d(6), monitored by in situ (1)H MAS NMR; (2) an intramolecular H/D scrambling between methyl deuterons and protons of the methylene group, without exchange with the catalyst surface, monitored by in situ (2)H MAS NMR; (3) a intramolecular (13)C scrambling, by skeletal rearrangement process, favored at higher temperatures, monitored by in situ (13)C MAS NMR. The activation energy of (13)C scrambling was estimated to be very close to that of (2)H scrambling, suggesting that these two processes imply a common transition state, responsible for both vicinal hydride migration and protonated cyclopropane formation. All pathways are consistent with a classical carbenium ion-type mechanism.