Enhanced chromatographic NMR with polyethyleneglycol. A novel resolving agent for diffusion ordered spectroscopy

NMR analysis of complex mixtures can be significantly simplified using polyethyleneglycol (PEG) as resolving additive in DOSY NMR technique, which allows the extraction of individual spectra of mixture components with differing polarity. Resolving power of PEG‐assisted DOSY was demonstrated with natural product mixtures. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Matrix‐assisted diffusion‐ordered spectroscopy: choosing a matrix

Diffusion‐ordered spectroscopy (DOSY) is an important technique for separating the NMR signals of the components in a mixture, and relies on differences in diffusion coefficient. Standard DOSY experiments therefore struggle when the components of a mixture are of similar size, and hence diffuse at similar rates. Fortunately, the diffusion coefficients of solutes can be manipulated by changing the matrix in which they diffuse, using matrix components that interact differentially with them, a technique known as matrix‐assisted DOSY. In the present investigation, we evaluate the performance of a number of new, previously used, and mixed matrices with an informative test mixture: the three positional isomers of dihydroxybenzene. The aim of this work is to present the matrix‐assisted DOSY user with information about the potential utility of a set of matrices (and combinations of matrices), including ionic and non‐ionic surfactants, complexing agents, polymers, and mixed solvents. A variety of matrices improved the diffusion resolution of the signals of the test system, with the best separation achieved by mixed micelles of sodium dodecyl sulfate and cetyl trimethylammonium bromide. The use of mixed matrices offers great potential for the analyst to tailor the matrix to a particular sample under study. © 2016 The Authors Magnetic Resonance in Chemistry Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Matrix‐assisted diffusion‐ordered spectroscopy: mixture resolution by NMR using SDS micelles

Diffusion‐ordered spectroscopy (DOSY) is a powerful technique for mixture analysis, but in its basic form it cannot separate the component spectra for species with very similar diffusion coefficients. It has been recently demonstrated that the component spectra of a mixture of isomers with nearly identical diffusion coefficients (the three dihydroxybenzenes) can be resolved using matrix‐assisted DOSY (MAD), in which diffusion is perturbed by the addition of a co‐solute such as a surfactant [R. Evans, S. Haiber, M. Nilsson, G. A. Morris, Anal. Chem. 2009, 81, 4548–4550]. However, little is known about the conditions required for such a separation, for example, the concentrations and concentration ratios of surfactant and solutes. The aim of this study was to explore the concentration range over which matrix‐assisted DOSY using the surfactant SDS can achieve diffusion resolution of a simple model set of isomers, the monomethoxyphenols. The results show that the separation is remarkably robust with respect to both the concentrations and the concentration ratios of surfactant and solutes, supporting the idea that MAD may become a valuable tool for mixture analysis. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Using perdeuterated surfactant micelles to resolve mixture components in diffusion‐ordered NMR spectroscopy

Diffusion‐ordered NMR spectroscopy resolves mixture components on the basis of differences in their respective diffusion coefficients or molecular sizes. However, when components have near‐identical diffusion coefficients, they are not resolved in the diffusion dimension of a diffusion‐ordered spectroscopy (DOSY) spectrum. Adding surfactant micelles to these mixtures has been shown to enhance resolution when the component molecules interact differentially with the micelles. This approach is similar to that used in electrokinetic chromatography (EKC) where modifiers like micelles or polymers are used to enhance the separation of mixture components. In this study, perdeuterated surfactants are added to analyte mixtures studied with the DOSY technique. Since no micelle resonances appear in the mixture spectra, the difficulty associated with performing biexponential analyses in spectral regions where analyte and surfactant resonances overlap is avoided. The approach is demonstrated using mixtures of peptides with near‐identical diffusion coefficients. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Matrix‐assisted diffusion‐ordered spectroscopy: application of surfactant solutions to the resolution of isomer spectra

The component spectra of a mixture of isomers with nearly identical diffusion coefficients cannot normally be distinguished in a standard diffusion‐ordered spectroscopy (DOSY) experiment but can often be easily resolved using matrix‐assisted DOSY, in which diffusion behaviour is manipulated by the addition of a co‐solute such as a surfactant. Relatively little is currently known about the conditions required for such a separation, for example, how the choice between normal and reverse micelles affects separation or how the isomer structures themselves affect the resolution. The aim of this study was to explore the application of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) normal micelles in aqueous solution and sodium 1,4‐bis(2‐ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate (AOT) aggregates in chloroform, at a range of concentrations, to the diffusion resolution of some simple model sets of isomers such as monomethoxyphenols and short chain alcohols. It is shown that SDS micelles offer better resolution where these isomers differ in the position of a hydroxyl group, whereas AOT aggregates are more effective for isomers differing in the position of a methyl group. For both the normal SDS micelles and the less well‐defined AOT aggregates, differences in the resolution of the isomers can in part be rationalised in terms of differing degrees of hydrophobicity, amphiphilicity and steric effects. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Interaction studies of vinychloride with liquid foods by gas chromatography

Summary The interaction of vinylchloride (VC) with liquid foods, such as water, olive oil and honey, was studied using the relatively new technique of Reversed-Flow Gas Chromatography (RFGC). The RFGC method permits the calculation of the VC diffusion coefficient in the liquid phase (water, oil and honey) and the determination of the partition coefficient of VC between the liquid and the carrier gas, as well as the determination of the Henry's constant of VC in the liquid food. From the variation of the above parameters with temperature, thermodynamic parameters (free and excess free energies, enthalpies, entropies and activity coefficients) were calculated for the adsorption of VC by liquid foods. These are discussed in comparison with the same parameters calculated from empirical equations or determined experimentally by other techniques.     

A fast method for the measurement of diffusion coefficients: one‐dimensional DOSY

A new experiment for the single‐scan measurement of diffusion coefficients is presented. The principle is to introduce a spatial variation in the parameters of a conventional pulse sequence, so that all of the scans required to determine some physical parameter can be recorded simultaneously from different parts of the sample. The spectrum is acquired in the presence of a weak read gradient so that the resulting lineshapes contain the information required. The pulse sequence is described in detail and demonstrated on a sample containing three components; its advantages and limitations are discussed in relation to those of existing techniques. For uncrowded spectra with high signal‐to‐noise ratio, this experiment provides an order of magnitude reduction in experiment time compared with conventional methods and is likely to be of most benefit where samples are changing rapidly with time or where a long period of polarization, which may be difficult to reproduce accurately, prohibits the use of multiple‐scan techniques. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Use of glass capillaries to suppress thermal convection in NMR tubes in diffusion measurements

Diffusion ordered spectroscopy (DOSY) is used to determine the translational diffusion coefficients of molecules in solution. However, DOSY is highly susceptible to spurious spectral peaks resulting from thermal convection occurring in the NMR tube. Thermal convection therefore must be suppressed for accurate estimation of translational diffusion coefficients. In this study, we developed a new method to effectively suppress thermal convection using glass capillaries. A total of 6 to 18 capillaries (0.8‐mm outer diameter) were inserted into a regular 5‐mm NMR tube. The capillaries had minimal effect on magnetic field homogeneity and enabled us to obtain clean DOSY spectra of a mixture of small organic compounds. Moreover, the capillaries did not affect chemical shifts or signal intensities in two‐dimensional heteronuclear single quantum coherence spectra. Capillaries are a simple and inexpensive means of suppressing thermal convection and thus can be used in a wide variety of DOSY experiments. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

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.     

New validation of molecular mass measurements by means of 2D DOSY 1H NMR experiments: Application to surfactants

This study proposes a new correlation equation between surfactant diffusion coefficients and molecular mass using 2D DOSY ¹H NMR experiment. Indeed, DOSY is a suitable NMR technique to discriminate the different components in a mixture. Using Inverse Laplace Transform (ILT), all chemical shifts in the direct dimension are dispersed along the second dimension in relation to the diffusion coefficient. This approach does not make any assumption about the number of exponential components. The empiric equation was determined for anionic and non-ionic surfactants dissolved in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). The parameters, K = C_r = 5.18 ± 0.70 and a shape factor α = 0.45 ± 0.02 that is related to the molecular family fractal dimension constant δ_F = 2.21 ± 0.11, have been extracted from the data. The equation validity was checked for simple commercial raw material and a simple mixture composed of three surfactants classically used in detergent formulations. This equation, which describes quite satisfactorily the diffusion phenomenon of surfactants, could be used for deformulation purpose to check commercial products in case of quality control or adulteration assessment.     

A NMR method to probe the nature of liquid clathrates

The liquid clathrate formed from [N(CH₃)₄][Al₂(CH₃)₆I] and benzene has been studied using 200 MHz¹H FT-NMR. Two resonances, corresponding to the free and guest benzene are observed. The¹H spin lattice relaxation times,T ₁, for these molecules were measured and found to be distinctly different. The guest benzene protons relax nearly four times faster than the free molecules which is consistent with a more ordered structure of the benzene molecules within the clathrate.     

Discrimination of metallosupramolecular architectures in solution by using diffusion ordered spectroscopy (DOSY) experiments: double-stranded helicates of different lengths

The translational diffusion coefficients of various helicates have been determined by using NMR diffusion spectroscopy (Diffusion Ordered SpectroscopY, DOSY), in order to investigate the individual behaviour of the helicates according to their length (different nuclearities; 1-5 metals), to the nature of the metal involved (CuI or AgI), as well to their bulkiness due to the presence of substituents on the periphery of the assembly. Furthermore, the spectrum of a mixture of helicates belonging to the same series, but with different lengths and nuclearities, showed the signals of each component, with no observable cross-linking, confirming the self-recognition properties of the helicates.     

Hyphenation of column liquid chromatography and Raman spectroscopy via a liquid-core waveguide: chemometrical elimination of spectral eluent background

In column liquid chromatography (LC) coupled to conventional Raman spectroscopy (RS) removal of the spectral background of the eluent is often demanding, because of the strong signals of the organic modifier. A new chemometrical method is proposed, called the eluent background subtraction (EBS) method, which can correct for small shape and intensity differences of the eluent spectra. The variations in the eluent spectra are modelled using principal component analysis (PCA). The PCA loading vectors are subsequently used for eluent background correction of the elution spectra of the analyte. The loading vectors are fitted under these spectra by an asymmetric least-squares method. This method was successfully applied under various experimental conditions and performed much better than conventional background correction methods. Analyte detectability was improved by (weighted) averaging of all elution spectra and smoothing via a p-spline function.     

The control of the growth of Pt clusters in solution: A way to prepare Pt particles of tailored size

The growth of Pt particles in mesitylene-solvated metal atoms, obtained by metal vapour synthesis (MVS), has been followed at two temperatures (−40 and 25 °C) by NMR DOSY technique. The addition of 1,3-divinyltetramethyldisiloxane (DVS) at different time allows to quench the growth process and to make the resulting thermally stable solutions suitable for the evaluation of the Pt particles size at that moment. These solutions can be conveniently used to prepare supported Pt systems containing Pt particles of tailored size.     

Structure elucidation and complete NMR spectral assignment of an unusual aromatic monacolin analog from Monascus purpureus-fermented rice

One unusual aromatic monacolin analog, monacophenyl, was isolated from the ethanolic extract of Monascus purpureus-fermented rice. Its structure was completely and unambiguously assigned by one- and two-dimensional NMR techniques ((1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, HSQC, HMBC and NOESY) and high-resolution ESI-MS spectrometry.     

Determination of acrylamide in Chinese traditional carbohydrate-rich foods using gas chromatography with micro-electron capture detector and isotope dilution liquid chromatography combined with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

The present study developed two analytical methods for quantification of acrylamide in complex food matrixes, such as Chinese traditional carbohydrate-rich foods. One is based on derivatization with potassium bromate and potassium bromide without clean-up prior to gas chromatography with micro-electron capture detector (GC-MECD). Alternatively, the underivatized acrylamide was detected by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) in the positive electrospray ionization mode. For both methods, the Chinese carbohydrate-rich samples were homogenized, defatted with petroleum ether and extracted with aqueous solution of sodium chloride. Recovery rates for acrylamide from spiked Chinese style foods with the spiking level of 50, 500 and 1000 μg kg⁻¹ were in the range of 79-93% for the GC-MECD including derivatization and 84-97% for the HPLC-MS/MS method. Typical quantification limits of the HPLC-MSMS method were 4 μg kg⁻¹ for acrylamide. The GC-MECD method achieved quantification limits of 10 μg kg⁻¹ in Chinese style foods. Thirty-eight Chinese traditional foods purchased from different manufacturers were analyzed and compared with four Western style foods. Acrylamide contaminant was found in all of samples at the concentration up to 771.1 and 734.5 μg kg⁻¹ detected by the GC and HPLC method, respectively. The concentrations determined with the two different quantitative methods corresponded well with each other. A convenient and fast pretreatment procedure will be optimized in order to satisfy further investigation of hundreds of samples.     

Use of diffusion‐ordered NMR spectroscopy and HPLC–UV–SPE–NMR to identify undeclared synthetic drugs in medicines illegally sold as phytotherapies

The informal (and/or illegal) e‐commerce of pharmaceutical formulations causes problems that governmental health agencies find hard to control, one of which concerns formulas sold as natural products. The purpose of this work was to explore the advantages and limitations of DOSY and HPLC–UV–SPE–NMR. These techniques were used to identify the components of a formula illegally marketed in Brazil as an herbal medicine possessing anti‐inflammatory and analgesic properties. DOSY was able to detect the major components present at higher concentrations. Complete characterization was achieved using HPLC–UV–SPE–NMR, and 1D and 2D NMR analyses enabled the identification of known synthetic drugs. These were ranitidine and a mixture of orphenadrine citrate, piroxicam, and dexamethasone, which are co‐formulated in a remedy called Rheumazim that is used to relieve severe pain, but it is prohibited in Brazil because of a lack of sufficient pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic information. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Slice-selected LED and BPPLED: application of slice selection to DOSY

High-resolution DOSY (Diffusion-ordered spectroscopy) is a series of 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional NMR techniques based on the differing diffusivity of constituent molecules in the solution state, with which the individual NMR spectrum of each component in a chemical mixture can be observed. All of the DOSY pulse sequences are derived from the spin-echo or stimulated-echo techniques under the effect of PFG (pulsed field gradient). One of the requirements for successful DOSY experiments and data fitting is that PFG must be uniform across the active sample volume. However, PFG, in general, is not uniform across the active sample volume in commercial high-resolution NMR probes and this nonuniformity of PFG is known to produce systematic errors in DOSY experiments. In fact, a strong and uniform gradient field can be realized only in the central region of the gradient coil and the slice-selection technique, widely used in Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging, can be employed in resolving problems associated with the nonuniformity of PFG. We have developed a slice-selection pulse block, which can be generally applied to any DOSY pulse sequence with proper care of the phase cycling and experimental parameters. We applied the slice-selection technique to LED and BPPLED pulse sequences, which are among the most popular DOSY pulse sequences, and obtained good experimental results for a chemical mixture.     

一维多重接力COSY和选择性远程DEPT核磁共振技术在新分子骨架生物碱结构测定和谱峰归属研究中的应用

自防已科千金藤根中分得一个新型分子骨架的四氢异喹啉类生物碱-excentricine(1)。本工作采用一维多重接力COSY和选择性远程DEPT核磁共振新技术成功地确定谱峰归属, 鉴别和连结被季碳和杂原子分割开的自旋体系, 测定了其结构。     

Independent component analysis applied to diffusion‐ordered spectroscopy: separating nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of analytes in mixtures

Nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum of a mixture contains the overall peaks of all the analytes. It is impossible to perform structural assignment on the mixture without the knowledge of individual spectra of the components. Spectral separation is thus an important means of teasing out pure components of a mixture before spectral assignment. We propose a strategy called diffusion‐ordered independent component analysis (DIFFICA) to achieve this task. This strategy applies independent component analysis algorithms to diffusion‐ordered spectroscopy (DOSY) to extract spectra of pure components in a mixture. DIFFICA was tested in a simulation and experimentally in two three‐component systems with and without water suppression, in 1D and 2D DOSY data. Pure spectra were achieved in both cases. The selection of diffusion parameters to guarantee pure spectra is guided by the distance correlation between separated spectra. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.