Ligand–macromolecule complexes: affinity index determination by selective nuclear relaxation analysis

Proton NMR selective and non-selective spin–lattice relaxation rate measurements were used to monitor the strength of the overall complexation behaviour of a ligand (carbamazepine) toward a macromolecular receptor (albumin). The ‘affinity index,’ a quantitative parameter related to the strength of the ligand–macromolecule interaction, was determined from the experimental contribution of the bound ligand molar fraction to the observed selective spin–lattice relaxation rate. The effect of a second ligand (lamotrigine) on the carbamazepine–albumin interaction was also investigated and was found to have a modulation effect on the carbamazepine–albumin interaction. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Spatial location of indomethacin associated with unimeric amphiphilic carrier macromolecules as determined by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

A combination of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques including, proton NMR, relaxation analysis, two‐dimensional nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy, and diffusion‐ordered spectroscopy, has been used to demonstrate the spatial location of indomethacin within a unimolecular micelle. Understanding the location of drugs within carrier molecules using such NMR techniques can facilitate rational carrier design. In addition, this information provides insight to encapsulation efficiency of different drugs to determine the most efficient system for a particular bioactive. This study demonstrates that drugs loaded by the unimolecular amphiphile under investigation are not necessarily encapsulated but reside or localize to the periphery or interfacial region of the carrier molecule. The results have further implications as to the features of the unimolecular carrier that contribute to drug loading. In addition, evidence of drug retention associated with the unimolecular surfactant is possible in organic media, as well as in an aqueous environment. Such findings have implications for rational carrier design to correlate the carrier features to the drug of interest and indicate the strong retention capabilities of the unimolecular micelle for delivery applications. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Quantitative analysis of malic and citric acids in fruit juices using proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

¹H NMR spectroscopy was applied to the quantitative determination of malic and citric acids in apple, apricot, pear, kiwi, orange, strawberry and pineapple juices. Aspartic acid was studied as a potential interference. The effect of the sample pH on the chemical shifts of signals from malic, citric and aspartic acids was examined and a value of 1.0 was selected to carry out the determination. Integration of NMR signals at 2.89-2.95 and 3.00-3.04 ppm were used for calculating the concentration of malic and citric acids, respectively. At this pH the integrated signals were not overlapped. Sodium 3-(trimethylsilyl)tetradeuteropropionate (TSP) was used as an internal reference. The obtained results applying NMR procedures to analyze the juices from different fruits were compared to those obtained using enzymatic methods and both were in close agreement. The intra- and inter-day repeatability was tested for apple juice (7.86 g l⁻¹ malic acid, 0.32 g l⁻¹ citric acid) and apricot juice (5.06 g l⁻¹ malic acid, 4.79 g l⁻¹ citric acid) obtaining coefficients of variation lower than 3.4% for intra-day measures (n = 10) and lower than 3.8% for inter-day measures (n = 20).     

Characterization of binding affinities in a chromatographic system by suspended state HR/MAS NMR spectroscopy

In the current work a racemate of (R)‐ and (S)‐benzylmandelate was separated with a stereoselective polysaccharide‐based chiral stationary phase by HPLC. To elucidate the occurring chiral molecular recognition processes in the heterogeneous system used, NMR spectroscopy was chosen under high resolution/magic angle spinning (HR/MAS) NMR conditions in the suspended state. Therefore, and as a proof of concept, a combination of several NMR methods such as spin–lattice relaxation time (T₁) measurements (T₁), the saturation transfer difference, and the 2D experiment of the transferred nuclear overhauser enhancement spectroscopy technique were applied. With HR/MAS NMR it is feasible to combine NMR and chromatography to achieve further insights into the separation process. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Quantitative determination and validation of avermectin B1a in commercial products using quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Nuclear magnetic resonance is defined as a quantitative spectroscopic tool that enables a precise determination of the number of substances in liquids as well as in solids. There is few report demonstrating the application of NMR in the quantification of avermectin B_1a (AVB_1a); here, a proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H NMR) using benzene [1‐methoxy‐4‐(2‐nitroethyl) (PMN)] as an internal standard and deuterochloroform as an NMR solvent was tested for the quantitative determination of AVB_1a. The integrated signal of AVB_1a at 5.56 ppm and the signal of PMN at 8.14 ppm in the ¹H NMR spectrum were used for quantification purposes. Parameters of specificity, linearity, accuracy, precision, intermediate precision, range, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), stability and robustness were validated. The established method was accurate and precise with good recovery (98.86%) and relative standard deviation (RSD) of assay (0.34%) within the linearity of the calibration curve ranging from 5.08 to 13.58 mg/ml (R² = 0.9999). The LOD and LOQ were 0.009 and 0.029 mg/ml, which indicated the excellent sensitivity of the method. The stability of the method was testified by a calculated RSD of 0.11%. The robustness was testified by modification of four different parameters, and the differences among each parameter were all less than 0.1%. Comparing with the assay described by the manufacturer of avermectin tablets, there was no significant difference between the assay obtained by HPLC and quantitative NMR (qNMR), which indicated qNMR was a simple and efficient method for the determination of AVB_1a in commercial formulation products. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Study of triacylglycerol polymorphs by nuclear magnetic resonance: effects of temperature and chain length on relaxation parameters

It is very important to monitor the characteristics of triacylglycerol crystal network in fats, as these crystals have an impact on many food properties such as texture, sensory taste, and extended shelf life. Although time-domain NMR (TD-NMR) is now the reference technique to determine the solid fat index in food, the entire possibilities of this technique are not used. Some NMR studies have been performed to determine its power for the discrimination of polymorphism. In this study, extended investigations proved that TD-NMR could evaluate triacylglycerol (TA) polymorphism, independently from temperature and chain length. Study of the dipolar interactions through second moment M(2), which is characteristic of proton mobility in solid-state samples, provided a new understanding of the structural organization of crystal molecules. Proton spin-lattice relaxation, which has been proved to be a true probe of polymorphism, has provided information on crystal networks. Combination of the two techniques revealed two very interesting kinds of results, i.e. the presence of a minimum spin-lattice relaxation time T(1) for tristearin alpha, which is a characteristic of a dynamic molecular process, and differences in behavior between long and short chain lengths, both at a molecular and a crystal level.     

Investigation of the inclusion of the herbicide cycluron in native cyclodextrins by X-ray diffraction,nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and isothermal titration calorimetry

The formation of inclusion complexes between the native cyclodextrins (CDs) and the urea herbicide cycluron has been investigated both in solution and in the solid state. Single-crystal X-ray structures of both the uncomplexed guest and the β-CD·cycluron complex were determined while powder X-ray diffraction was used to confirm complexation between γ-CD and cycluron in the solid state. Solution-state complexation between the herbicide and α-, β- and γ-CD was established using ¹H NMR spectroscopy and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). From the ¹H NMR spectroscopic studies 1:1 complex stoichiometry was indicated in all cases and association constant values (K) were determined as 228, 3254 and 155 for the complexes α-CD·cycluron, β-CD·cycluron and γ-CD·cycluron, respectively. Assigning a 1:1 host–guest ratio, the ITC technique produced K values of the same order as those determined using the spectroscopic method. The thermodynamic parameters ΔH, ΔS and ΔG obtained using ITC provide insights into the driving forces involved during complex formation.     

Combined nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and molecular dynamics study of growth hormone releasing hexapeptide GHRP‐6 and a cyclic analogue

The Growth Hormone Releasing Hexapeptide, GHRP‐6 was the first of a family of synthetic peptides that enhance the release of the Growth Hormone by the pituitary gland in a dose‐dependent manner. Since its discovery, it has been used as a benchmark and starting point in numerous researches aiming to obtain new drugs. Complete resonance assignment of GHRP‐6 NMR spectra in both open and cyclic forms are reported, showing some differences to random coil chemical shifts. Connectivities observed in the ROESY spectra indicate spatial proximity between the aromatic residues side‐chains in both molecules, as well as between residues DPhe5 and Lys6 sidechains. An ensemble of 10 structures was generated for each one of the molecules, showing RMSD values indicative of nonrandom structures. Molecular Dynamics simulations, both with and without explicit solvent, were carried out for GHRP‐6 and its cyclic analogue. Conformational analysis performed on the trajectories showed a nonrandom structure with a well preserved backbone. The presence of geometrical patterns resembling those typical of π‐π interactions in both peptides, suggest that this kind of interactions may be relevant for the biological activity of GHRP‐6. Same conclusion can be drawn from the spatial proximity of residues DPhe5 and Lys6 sidechains. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of rhodium(III) complexes with tris/tetrakis‐benzimidazoles and benzothiazoles—quick identification of cyclometallation by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Reactions of rhodium(III) halides with multidentate N,S‐heterocycles, (LH₃) 1,3,5‐tris(benzimidazolyl)benzene (L¹H₃; 1 ), 1,3,5‐tris(N‐methylbenzimidazolyl) benzene (L²H₃; 2 ) and 1,3,5‐tris(benzothiazolyl)benzene (L³H₃; 3 ), in the molar ratio 1:1 in methanol–chloroform produced mononuclear cyclometallated products of the composition [RhX₂(LH₂)(H₂O)] (X = Cl, Br, I; LH₂ = L¹H₂, L²H₂, L³H₂). When the metal to ligand ( 1–3 or 1,2,4,5‐tetrakis(benzothiazolyl)benzene [L⁴H₂; 4 ]) molar ratio was 2:1, the reactions yielded binuclear complexes of the compositions [Rh₂Cl₅(LH₂)(H₂O)₃] (LH₂ = L¹H₂, L²H₂, L³H₂) and [Rh₂X₄(L⁴)(H₂O)₂] (X = Cl, Br, I). Elemental analysis, IR and ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) chemical shifts supported the binuclear nature of the complexes. Cyclometallation was detected by conventional ¹³C NMR spectra that showed a doublet around ～190 ppm. Cyclometallation was also detected by gradient‐enhanced heteronuclear multiple bond correlation (g‐HMBC) experiment that showed cross‐peaks between the cyclometallated carbon and the central benzene ring protons of 1–3 . Cyclometallation was substantiated by two‐dimensional ¹H? ¹H correlated experiments (gradiant‐correlation spectroscopy and rotating frame Overhauser effect spectroscopy) and ¹H? ¹³C single bond correlated two‐dimensional NMR experiments (gradient‐enhanced heteronuclear single quantum coherence). The ¹H? ¹⁵N g‐HMBC experiment suggested the coordination of the heterocycles to the metal ion via tertiary nitrogen. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Detection and quantification of phenolic compounds in olive oil by high resolution H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

High resolution ¹H NMR spectroscopy has been employed as a versatile and rapid method to analyze the polar fraction of extra virgin olive oils containing various classes of phenolic compounds. The strategy for identification of phenolic compounds is based on the NMR chemical shifts of a large number of model compounds assigned by using two-dimensional (2D) NMR spectroscopy. Furthermore, 2D NMR was applied to phenolic extracts in an attempt to discover additional phenolic compounds. The ¹H NMR methodology was successful in detecting simple phenols, such as p-coumaric acid, vanillic acid, homovanillyl alcohol, vanillin, free tyrosol, and free hydroxytyrosol, the flavonols apigenin and luteolin, the lignans (+) pinoresinol, (+) 1-acetoxypinoresinol and syringaresinol, two isomers of the aldehydic form of oleuropein and ligstroside, the dialdehydic form of oleuropein and ligstroside lacking a carboxymethyl group, and finally total hydroxytyrosol and total tyrosol reflecting the total amounts of free and esterified hydroxytyrol and tyrosol, respectively. The absolute amount of each phenolic constituent was determined in the polar fraction by using anhydrous 1,3,5-triazine as an internal standard.     

Micellization of sodium dodecyl sulfonate and Triton X-100 in polyacrylamide water solution studied by 1H NMR relaxation and two-dimensional nuclear overhauser enhancement spectroscopy

Micellization of Triton X-100 (TX-100) and sodium dodecyl sulfonate (SDSN) in the presence of partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (PAAM) was studied by ¹H NMR spin–spin and spin–lattice relaxation. Relaxation experiment results show that TX-100 behaves differently from SDSN in micellization in the presence of PAAM. PAAM causes a decrease in the critical micellar concentration of SDSN, while it has no influence on the critical micellar concentration of TX-100. The lack of cross peaks between protons of PAAM and those of TX-100 and SDSN in the 2D nuclear Overhauser enhancement spectroscopy (NOESY) spectra confirms self-aggregation of TX-100 and SDSN in the presence of PAAM. The identity of each of the corresponding interproton distances of TX-100 with and without the addition of PAAM further confirms the formation of normal TX-100 micelles in the presence of PAAM. Besides, the distances between protons on the hydrophilic and hydrophobic chains in TX-100 micelles, calculated from the 2D NOESY spectra, are remarkably shorter than those for an extended hydrophilic poly(oxyethylene) chain. This implies that the hydrophilic chain is curled upon micellization. Received: 2 February 1999 Accepted in revised form: 2 June 1999     

Combined use of liquid chromatography-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry for the characterization of an acarbose degradation product

Directly coupled LC-MS and LC-NMR were applied to identify and structurally characterize an acarbose degradation product A in acidic media. A comparative analysis of the stop-flow LC-NMR (1H and TOCSY) and LC-MS data provided evidence that A is structurally related to acarbose, differing from the parent compound in a number of subunits present in the molecule. Spectral analysis revealed that A was the alpha-glucosidase inhibitor amylostatin XG. Complementary information obtained from the two methods led to the structural elucidation of A which was later corroborated by high-resolution NMR spectroscopy of the isolated molecule.     

Correlation between local mobility and mechanical properties of high‐speed melt‐spun nylon‐6 fibers

This article establishes the processing–microstructure–motion–property relationship of high‐speed melt‐spun nylon‐6 fibers. From solid‐state ¹H NMR T_1ρ (spin–lattice relaxation time in the rotating frame) relaxation studies, all nylon‐6 fibers spun at 4500–6100 m/min showed three‐component exponential decay with the time constants T_1ρ,I, T_1ρ,II, and T_1ρ,III, indicating that there existed three different motional phases. These phases were assigned to immobile crystalline, intermediate rigid amorphous, and mobile amorphous regions. The determination of the correlation time (τ_c) of the respective phases provided information about the local molecular mobility of each phase with respect to the spinning speed. As the spinning speed increased, τ_c of the crystalline region increased (4500–5200 m/min) and then reached a plateau. However, τ_c for the rigid amorphous region increased from 5200 m/min onward, indicating that the rigid amorphous chains were more oriented and constrained in the spinning speed range of 5500–6100 m/min. The drastic increase of the maximum thermal stress for all fibers from 5500 to 6100 m/min was coincident with the τ_c characteristics of the rigid amorphous region. The significant increase in tenacity and Young's modulus and the large decrease in elongation at break at 5500–6100 m/min were also in good agreement with the local molecular motion of the intermediate rigid amorphous phase in the nylon‐6 fibers. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 39: 993–1000, 2001     

Combined use of Overhauser spectroscopy and NMR diffusion experiments for mapping the hydration structure of nucleosides: structure and dynamics of uridine in water

Complementary results from 13C intermolecular nuclear Overhauser effects (NOE), 1H-13C heteronuclear Overhauser spectroscopy (HOSEY) and 1H-NMR diffusion measurements were used for probing the structure of the first solvation shell of uridine in water. It is demonstrated that a cyclic dihydrate is formed. The two water molecules produce two hydrogen bonds with the two oxygen atoms from the pyrimidine ring and accept only one hydrogen bond from the amide proton. The dihydrate has only a short lifetime as compared with the rotational correlation time of the free nucleoside. The chemical exchange constant of the amide proton with water is then estimated by diffusion experiments. The results are consistent with previous data obtained for uracil in water and provide interesting information about water accessibility in nucleic acid bases.     

A novel method for quantitative analysis of acetylacetone and ethyl acetoacetate by fluorine‐19 nuclear magnetic spectroscopy

A new method utilization of NMR spectra was developed for structural and quantitative analysis of enol forms of acetylacetone and ethyl acetoacetate. Acetylacetone and ethyl acetoacetate were determined by ¹⁹F NMR upon derivatisation with р‐fluorobenzoyl chloride. The base‐catalyzed derivatives of acetylacetone and ethyl acetoacetate reaction with р‐fluorobenzoyl chloride were analyzed by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies. E and Z configurations of acetylacetone and ethyl acetoacetate were separated and purified by thin layer chromatography. In addition, the ability of ¹⁹F NMR for quantitative analysis of acetylacetone by integration of the appropriate signals of the derivatives were tested and compared. The results further testified the enol forms of acetylacetone and ethyl acetoacetate and the feasibility of ¹⁹F NMR method. This method can be potentially used to characterize E and Z isomers and quantitatively analyze E/Z ratio of β‐diketone and β‐ketoester homologues. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Conformational analysis of some 1R,4S‐2‐arylidene‐p‐menthan‐3‐ones by 1H NMR spectroscopy and molecular simulation

Based on ¹H NMR spectral analysis combined with molecular simulation, conformational states of the cyclohexanone ring were studied for some 1R,4S‐2‐(4‐X‐benzylidene)‐p‐menthan‐3‐ones (X = COOCH₃ or C₆H₅) in CDCl₃ and C₆D₆. The co‐existence of chair conformers with an axial orientation of both alkyl substituents and twist‐boat forms was established for the compounds studied at room temperature (22–23° C). The substituent X does not influence appreciably the ratio of these conformers, but the fraction of twist‐boat forms increases noticeably in benzene solutions as compared with CDCl₃ solutions. Rotameric states of the isopropyl fragment were also characterised for the compounds studied. Distinctions in conformational states for the 1R,4S‐2‐arylidene‐p‐menthan‐3‐ones and (?)‐menthone were revealed and are discussed. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Combination of H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and mass spectrometry as tools for investigation of the thermolytic and solvolytic effects: Case of carbamates analysis

The carbamate pesticides are a well known thermo-sensible compound class. Under unfavourable conditions, these compounds are highly prone to degradation via fragmentation and/or rearrangement mechanisms. Their transformation processes are observed in consequence of two factors: structure with fragile bonds on the one hand and a stressing environment on the other hand leading to a difficult direct gas chromatography (GC) analysis, i.e. without derivatisation. In this paper, we investigated an original methodology based on the complementarity of analysis by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H NMR) and those provided by GC hyphenated with ion-trap mass selective detection (GC–ITMS) to investigate combined effects of temperature and solvent nature affecting the behaviour of 16 carbamates. Among tested solvents, toluene and acetonitrile with 0.1% acetic acid were considered as the best solvents for storage and GC analysis respectively. Carbaryl, chlorpropham, carbofuran and N-sulfenylated compounds began to be thermodegraded with a loss equal to 1–5% even at 50 °C. An on-column injection validated as providing no degradation was used to analyse the identical solution that in ¹H NMR and it was emphasised that results of the measured degradation rates were identical at ±2%. It was highlighted that this methodology was extensible to study mechanisms and parameters with other (bio)molecules.     

A set of triple-resonance nuclear magnetic resonance experiments for structural characterization of organophosphorus compounds in mixture samples

The ¹H, ¹³C correlation NMR spectroscopy utilizes J_CH couplings in molecules, and provides important structural information from small organic molecules in the form of carbon chemical shifts and carbon-proton connectivities. The full potential of the ¹H, ¹³C correlation NMR spectroscopy has not been realized in the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) related verification analyses due to the sample matrix, which usually contains a high amount of non-related compounds obscuring the correlations of the relevant compounds. Here, the results of the application of ¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P triple-resonance NMR spectroscopy in characterization of OP compounds related to the CWC are presented. With a set of two-dimensional triple-resonance experiments the J_HP, J_CH and J_PC couplings are utilized to map the connectivities of the atoms in OP compounds and to extract the carbon chemical shift information. With the use of the proposed pulse sequences the correlations from the OP compounds can be recorded without significant artifacts from the non-OP compound impurities in the sample. Further selectivity of the observed correlations is achieved with the application of phosphorus band-selective pulse in the pulse sequences to assist the analysis of multiple OP compounds in mixture samples. The use of the triple-resonance experiments in the analysis of a complex sample is shown with a test mixture containing typical scheduled OP compounds, including the characteristic degradation products of nerve agents sarin, soman, and VX. The viability of the approach in verification analysis is demonstrated in the analysis of the 30th OPCW Proficiency Test sample.     

In situ complexation of rhodium(II) tetracarboxylates with some derivatives of cysteine and related ligands studied by 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

The complexation of N-phthaloyl, N-formyl, and N,N-dimethyl derivatives of S-methylcysteine methyl ester (both racemic and optically pure) with three dimeric rhodium(II) salts, acetate Rh₂AcO₄, trifluoroacetate Rh₂TFA₄, and (R)-(+)-α-methoxy-α-trifluoromethylphenylacetate Rh₂Mosh₄ was investigated by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) at room and lower temperatures. The complexation was carried out in situ, in CDCl₃ solution using titration procedure; the results were examined by the analysis of ¹H and ¹³C NMR chemical shift change (Δδ). The complexation of free S-methyl cysteine and hydrochloride salt of its methyl ester was performed in D₂O solution. For comparison, complexation of some derivatives of leucine, phenylalanine, and proline was examined.

N-phthaloyl and N-formyl derivatives of cysteine formed 1 : 1 and 1 : 2 axial complexes with all dirhodium salts. Rhodium substrates were bonded via sulfur. In one case, the complexation of Rh₂TFA₄ by both sulfur and N-formyl oxygen was noted. Similar complexation of Rh₂TFA₄, via CHO group, was found for N-formyl derivatives of leucine, phenylalanine, and proline. For N,N-dimethyl derivative of cysteine, both N and S atoms were involved in bonding. At room temperature, in all cases, ligand exchange was fast on the NMR timescale.     

H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy analysis for simultaneous determination of levodopa, carbidopa and methyldopa in human serum and pharmaceutical formulations

A method utilizing NMR spectroscopy has been developed to confirm the identity and quantity of levodopa, carbidopa and methyldopa in human serum and pharmaceutical preparations. The method is based on 500 MHz proton NMR spectra of individual catecholamine molecules. Qualitative and quantitative analyses are based on resonance characteristics of the functional groups present in their structures and the integral ratio of selected signals belonging to different compounds with respect to those of an internal standard, respectively. Experiments are performed to validate the quantitative NMR method, and the linearity and reproducibility of the proposed method are verified. The detection limit of the proposed method was estimated as 4.2, 1.7 and 1.6  μg ml⁻¹ for levodopa, carbidopa and methyldopa, respectively. The recovery studies performed on human serum samples ranged from about 82-96% with relative standard deviations of <4%. The method was also applied successfully to the determination of each active compound in real pharmaceutical samples, and compared with the results obtained by the reference methods. The method is rapid, precise, accurate, and suitable for routine analyses.