Structural Insights into Peptides Bound to the Surface of Silica Nanopores

The structure and surface functionalization of biologically relevant silica-based hybrid materials was investigated by 2D solid-state NMR techniques combined with dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP). This approach was applied to a model system of mesoporous silica, which was modified through in-pore grafting of small peptides by solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS). To prove the covalent binding of the peptides on the surface, DNP-enhanced solid-state NMR was used for the detection of ¹⁵N NMR signals in natural abundance. DNP-enhanced heterocorrelation experiments with frequency switched Lee–Goldburg homonuclear proton decoupling (¹H–¹³C and ¹H–¹⁵N CP MAS FSLG HETCOR) were performed to verify the primary structure and configuration of the synthesized peptides. ¹H FSLG spectra and ¹H-²⁹Si FSLG HETCOR correlation spectra were recorded to investigate the orientation of the amino acid residues with respect to the silica surface. The combination of these NMR techniques provides detailed insights into the structure of amino acid functionalized hybrid compounds and allows for the understanding for each synthesis step during the in-pore SPPS.     

Electron Decoupling with Chirped Microwave Pulses for Rapid Signal Acquisition and Electron Saturation Recovery

Dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) increases NMR sensitivity by transferring polarization from electron to nuclear spins. Herein, we demonstrate that electron decoupling with chirped microwave pulses enables improved observation of DNP‐enhanced ¹³C spins in direct dipolar contact with electron spins, thereby leading to an optimal delay between transients largely governed by relatively fast electron relaxation. We report the first measurement of electron longitudinal relaxation time (T_1e) during magic angle spinning (MAS) NMR by observation of DNP‐enhanced NMR signals (T_1e=40±6 ms, 40 mM trityl, 4.0 kHz MAS, 4.3 K). With a 5 ms DNP period, electron decoupling results in a 195 % increase in signal intensity. MAS at 4.3 K, DNP, electron decoupling, and short recycle delays improve the sensitivity of ¹³C in the vicinity of the polarizing agent. This is the first demonstration of recovery times between MAS‐NMR transients being governed by short electron T₁ and fast DNP transfer.     

Covalent grafting of organoalkoxysilanes on silica surfaces in water-rich medium as evidenced by <Superscript>29</Superscript>Si NMR

This paper addresses two questions related to functionalization of silica particles: (1) is the grafting of hydrophobic organoalkoxysilanes on a silica surface possible in water-rich medium and (2) how to prove the formation of covalent bonds with the surface? Trimethylethoxysilane, dimethyldiethoxysilane and methyltriethoxysilane have been reacted with precipitated silica in water-rich medium (water/ethanol 25/75 v/v) and ²⁹Si MAS NMR was used to answer both questions: ²⁹Si chemical shift values of the organosilicon units in the case of trimethylethoxysilane and dimethyldiethoxysilane clearly distinguished between self-condensation reactions and surface reactions through covalent bonds.     

Modification and intercalation of layered zirconium phosphates: a solid‐state NMR monitoring

Several layered zirconium phosphates treated with Zr(IV) ions, modified by monomethoxy‐polyethyleneglycol‐monophosphate and intercalated with doxorubicin hydrochloride have been studied by solid‐state MAS NMR techniques. The organic components of the phosphates have been characterized by the ¹³C{¹H} CP MAS NMR spectra compared with those of initial compounds. The multinuclear NMR monitoring has provided to establish structure and covalent attachment of organic/inorganic moieties to the surface and interlayer spaces of the phosphates. The MAS NMR experiments including kinetics of proton‐phosphorus cross polarization have resulted in an unusual structure of zirconium phosphate 6 combining decoration of the phosphate surface by polymer units and their partial intercalation into the interlayer space. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A Method for Dynamic Nuclear Polarization Enhancement of Membrane Proteins

Dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) magic‐angle spinning (MAS) solid‐state NMR (ssNMR) spectroscopy has the potential to enhance NMR signals by orders of magnitude and to enable NMR characterization of proteins which are inherently dilute, such as membrane proteins. In this work spin‐labeled lipid molecules (SL‐lipids), when used as polarizing agents, lead to large and relatively homogeneous DNP enhancements throughout the lipid bilayer and to an embedded lung surfactant mimetic peptide, KL₄. Specifically, DNP MAS ssNMR experiments at 600 MHz/395 GHz on KL₄ reconstituted in liposomes containing SL‐lipids reveal DNP enhancement values over two times larger for KL₄ compared to liposome suspensions containing the biradical TOTAPOL. These findings suggest an alternative sample preparation strategy for DNP MAS ssNMR studies of lipid membranes and integral membrane proteins.     

Frozen Acrylamide Gels as Dynamic Nuclear Polarization Matrices

Aqueous acrylamide gels can be used to provide dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) NMR signal enhancements of around 200 at 9.4 T and 100 K. The enhancements are shown to increase with crosslinker concentration and low concentrations of the AMUPol biradical. This DNP matrix can be used in situations where conventional incipient wetness methods fail, such as to obtain DNP surface enhanced NMR spectra from inorganic nanoparticles. In particular, we obtain ¹¹³Cd spectra from CdTe‐COOH NPs in minutes. The spectra clearly indicate a highly disordered cadmium‐rich surface.     

Towards guest-zeolite interactions: an NMR spectroscopic approach

Guest(metal)-zeolite interactions in a two component heterogeneous catalyst have been investigated by high-field and high-speed (27)Al MAS NMR, and two-dimensional (27)Al MQ MAS NMR experiments as well as ab initio DFT methods. It was established that strong interactions between guest and zeolite occur in a metal/zeolite system, with the metal anchored to the tetrahedral aluminum framework site through two oxygen bridges. It disturbs the tetrahedral environment of associated aluminum framework, changing AlO(4) geometry from near T(d) to C(2v); this enables us to resolve this species from the undisturbed aluminum framework species in high-field (27)Al MAS NMR and two-dimesional (27)Al MQ MAS NMR experiments.     

Two-dimensional (13)C-(13)C correlation spectroscopy with magic angle spinning and dynamic nuclear polarization

The sensitivity of solid-state NMR experiments can be enhanced with dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP), a technique that transfers the high Boltzmann polarization of unpaired electrons to nuclei. Signal enhancements of up to 23 have been obtained for magic angle spinning (MAS) experiments at 5 T and 85-90 K using a custom-designed high-power gyrotron. The extended stability of MAS/DNP experiments at low temperature is demonstrated with (1)H-driven (13)C spin-diffusion experiments on the amino acid proline. These (13)C-(13)C chemical shift correlation spectra are the first two-dimensional MAS/DNP experiments performed at high field (>1.4 T).     

19F Magic Angle Spinning Dynamic Nuclear Polarization Enhanced NMR Spectroscopy

The introduction of high‐frequency, high‐power microwave sources, tailored biradicals, and low‐temperature magic angle spinning (MAS) probes has led to a rapid development of hyperpolarization strategies for solids and frozen solutions, leading to large gains in NMR sensitivity. Here, we introduce a protocol for efficient hyperpolarization of ¹⁹F nuclei in MAS DNP enhanced NMR spectroscopy. We identified trifluoroethanol‐d₃ as a versatile glassy matrix and show that 12 mm AMUPol (with microcrystalline KBr) provides direct ¹⁹F DNP enhancements of over 100 at 9.4 T. We applied this protocol to obtain DNP‐enhanced ¹⁹F and ¹⁹F–¹³C cross‐polarization (CP) spectra for an active pharmaceutical ingredient and a fluorinated mesostructured hybrid material, using incipient wetness impregnation, with enhancements of approximately 25 and 10 in the bulk solid, respectively. This strategy is a general and straightforward method for obtaining enhanced ¹⁹F MAS spectra from fluorinated materials.     

Efficient Dynamic Nuclear Polarization at 800 MHz/527 GHz with Trityl‐Nitroxide Biradicals

Cross‐effect (CE) dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) is a rapidly developing technique that enhances the signal intensities in magic‐angle spinning (MAS) NMR spectra. We report CE DNP experiments at 211, 600, and 800 MHz using a new series of biradical polarizing agents referred to as TEMTriPols, in which a nitroxide (TEMPO) and a trityl radical are chemically tethered. The TEMTriPol molecule with the optimal performance yields a record ¹H NMR signal enhancement of 65 at 800 MHz at a concentration of 10 mM in a glycerol/water solvent matrix. The CE DNP enhancement for the TEMTriPol biradicals does not decrease as the magnetic field is increased in the manner usually observed for bis‐nitroxides. Instead, the relatively strong exchange interaction between the trityl and nitroxide moieties determines the magnetic field at which the optimum enhancement is observed.     

High-frequency dynamic nuclear polarization in MAS spectra of membrane and soluble proteins

One of the principal promises of solid-state NMR (SSNMR) magic angle spinning (MAS) experiments has been the possibility of determining the structures of molecules in states that are not accessible via X-ray or solution NMR experiments-e.g., membrane or amyloid proteins. However, the low sensitivity of SSNMR often restricts structural studies to small-model compounds and precludes many higher-dimensional solid-state MAS experiments on such systems. To address the sensitivity problem, we have developed experiments that utilize dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) to enhance sensitivity. In this communication, we report the successful application of MAS DNP to samples of cryoprotected soluble and membrane proteins. In particular, we have observed DNP signal enhancements of up to 50 in 15N MAS spectra of bacteriorhodopsin (bR) and alpha-lytic protease (alpha-LP). The spectra were recorded at approximately 90 K where MAS is experimentally straightforward, and the results suggest that the described protocol will be widely applicable.     

Application of cationic polymerization to grafting and coating of silica particles

The cationic polymerization of electron rich monomers such as vinyl ethers, vinyl furane, and cyclopentadiene on silica surfaces can be initiated by aryl methyl halides. The reactions yield always soluble polymers (by heterogeneous catalysis) and novel polymer/silica hybrid materials. The link between polymer and solid is caused by covalent Si-O-C bonds, by network formation of the polymers during the chain growth, or by a combination of both of them. The analysis of the polymer structures on the surface by ¹H MAS NMR spectroscopy in suspension and by solid state ¹³C CP MAS NMR spectroscopy is described. Proof of Si-O-C bonds via DRIFT spectroscopy and ¹³C CP MAS NMR spectroscopy is given. The most effective method of irreversibly linking the polymer to the silica surface is the network formation. Polyvinyl ethers are bound strongly to the surface, as can be shown by FTIR measurements, but the linkage is not stable due to the Si-O-C bonds' susceptibility to hydrolysis. Poly-cyclopentadienes (PCPD) are linked to the surface by Si-O-C bonds, which show an extraordinary high resistance to acids and bases. Si-O-C bond formation of poly-2-vinyl furane could not yet be detected by ¹³C CP MAS NMR spectroscopy and DRIFT spectroscopy. In this case the high degree of coating derives from the bifunctionality of 2-vinyl furane: it may undergo Friedel-Crafts-alkylation at the 5-position of the furane ring as well as chain polymerization via the vinyl group at the 2-position.     

Formation of small pore SAPO-44 type molecular sieve

The hydrothermal transformation of silico–aluminophosphate gel with cyclohexylamine to SAPO-44 has been examined. The hydrothermal crystallisation products of the SAPO have been investigated by X-ray diffraction, FTIR, nitrogen and water adsorption, thermogravimetric analysis, surface analysis and ²⁷Al, ³¹P, and ²⁹Si MAS NMR. Structural changes were observed in the silico–aluminophosphate gel with and without organic template and during the hydrothermal crystallisation. The silico–aluminophosphate gel converted to pure SAPO-CHA phase in 168 h at 473 K. The surface of SAPO-44 was silicon rich as compared with that of SAPO-34 and SAPO-18. The ²⁷Al MAS NMR signal of tetrahedrally coordinated Al observed in the silico–aluminophosphate gel without the organic template was changed to octa-, penta- and tetrahedrally coordinated aluminium upon the addition of the cyclohexylamine template to the SAPO gel. After 3 h of hydrothermal treatment at 473 K however, the ²⁷Al MAS NMR signals of the octahedral and pentacoordinated aluminium were removed. This was also confirmed by ³¹P and ²⁹Si MAS NMR. The tetrahedrally coordinated P and Si were detected within 3 h at 473 K. The sorption capacity and adsorption–desorption trends of the SAPO gels and the crystallisation products were found to be different. ²⁹Si MAS NMR results indicated that the percentage of Si (4Al) and its distribution were significantly affected by the crystallization period. SAPO-44 was thermally stable up to 973 K with phase change observed over the calcination temperature of 1193 K. The SAPO gels and the crystallisation products have also been investigated for their catalytic behaviour in n-hexane and ethanol conversion reactions.     

29Si NMR study of structural ordering in aluminosilicate geopolymer gels

A systematic series of aluminosilicate geopolymer gels was synthesized and then analyzed using 29Si magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS NMR) in combination with Gaussian peak deconvolution to characterize the short-range ordering in terms of T-O-T bonds (where T is Al or Si). The effect of nominal Na2O/(Na2O + K2O) and Si/Al ratios on short-range network ordering was quantified by deconvolution of the 29Si MAS NMR spectra into individual Gaussian peaks representing different Q4(mAl) silicon centers. The deconvolution procedure developed in this work is applicable to other aluminosilicate gel systems. The short-range ordering observed here indicates that Loewenstein's Rule of perfect aluminum avoidance may not apply strictly to geopolymeric gels, although further analyses are required to quantify the degree of aluminum avoidance. Potassium geopolymers appeared to exhibit a more random Si/Al distribution compared to that of mixed-alkali and sodium systems. This work provides a quantitative account of the silicon and aluminum ordering in geopolymers, which is essential for extending our understanding of the mechanical strength, chemical and thermal stability, and fundamental structure of these systems.     

Multinuclear solid-state high-resolution and 13C -{27Al} double-resonance magic-angle spinning NMR studies on aluminum alkoxides

A combination of 27Al magic-angle spinning (MAS)/multiple quantum (MQ)-MAS, 13C-1H CPMAS, and 13C-{27Al} transfer of population in double-resonance (TRAPDOR) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) were used for the structural elucidation of the aluminum alkoxides aluminum ethoxide, aluminum isopropoxide, and aluminum tertiarybutoxide. Aluminum alkoxides exist as oligomers with aluminum in different coordinations. High-resolution 27Al MAS NMR experiments with high-spinning speed distinguished the aluminum atoms in different environments. The 27Al MAS NMR spectrum gave well-resolved powder patterns with different coordinations. Z-filter MQ-MAS was performed to obtain the number and types of aluminum environments in the oligomeric structure. 13C-1H CPMAS chemical shifts resolved the different carbon species (-CH3, =CH2, =CH-, and =C=) in the structures. 13C-{27Al} TRAPDOR experiments were employed to obtain relative Al-C dipolar interactions and to distinguish between terminal and bridging alkoxides in the crystallographic structures. The complete characterization of selected aluminum alkoxides using advanced NMR methods has evidenced the tetrameric structure for aluminum isopropoxide and the dimeric structure for aluminum tertiary-butoxide, as reported in the literature, and proposed a polymeric structure for aluminum ethoxide.     

Application of solid-state NMR (13C and 29Si CP/MAS NMR) spectroscopy to the characterization of alkenyltrialkoxysilane and trialkoxysilyl-terminated polyisoprene grafting onto silica microparticles

The solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) was used to characterize surfaces of silica gels chemically modified by alkenyltrialkoxysilanes and trialkoxysilyl terminated 1,4-polyisoprenes. The formation of covalent bonds created between alkoxy functional groups from alkenyltrialkoxysilane or trialkoxysilyl-terminated 1,4-polyisoprene and silanol groups on silica was clearly demonstrated by means of ¹³C and ²⁹Si CP/MAS NMR spectroscopy. Quantitative data, including calculation of the grafting yields in relation with the initial silanol concentrations, were also obtained by using solid-state ²⁹Si-NMR leading to a final well-defined characterization of the silica surfaces. A relatively good agreement was noticed between the grafting yields calculated from ²⁹Si-NMR spectra and those determined from other analytical techniques such as Wijs titration or elementary analysis. The reactivity of the various silica silanols towards each coupling agent was clearly characterized and estimated, as were the proportions of the various grafted structures formed at the silica surface. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36 : 437–453, 1998     

Solid‐State NMR Characterization of Wilkinson’s Catalyst Immobilized in Mesoporous SBA‐3 Silica

The Wilkinson’s catalyst [RhCl(PPh₃)₃] has been immobilized inside the pores of amine functionalized mesoporous silica material SBA‐3 and The structure of the modified silica surface and the immobilized rhodium complex was determined by a combination of different solid‐state NMR methods. The successful modification of the silica surface was confirmed by ²⁹Si CP‐MAS NMR experiments. The presence of the T_n peaks confirms the successful functionalization of the support and shows the way of binding the organic groups to the surface of the mesopores. ³¹P‐³¹P J‐resolved 2D MAS NMR experiments were conducted in order to characterize the binding of the immobilized catalyst to the amine groups of the linkers attached to the silica surface. The pure catalyst exhibits a considerable ³¹P‐³¹P J‐coupling, well resolvable in 2D MAS NMR experiments. This J‐coupling was utilized to determine the binding mode of the catalyst to the linkers on the silica surface and the number of triphenylphosphine ligands that are replaced by coordination bonds to the amine groups. From the absence of any resolvable ³¹P‐³¹P J‐coupling in off‐magic‐angle‐spinning experiments, as well as slow‐spinning MAS experiments, it is concluded, that two triphenylphosphine ligands are replaced and that the catalyst is bonded to the silica surface through two linker molecules.     

Natural Abundance 15N NMR by Dynamic Nuclear Polarization: Fast Analysis of Binding Sites of a Novel Amine‐Carboxyl‐Linked Immobilized Dirhodium Catalyst

A novel heterogeneous dirhodium catalyst has been synthesized. This stable catalyst is constructed from dirhodium acetate dimer (Rh₂(OAc)₄) units, which are covalently linked to amine‐ and carboxyl‐bifunctionalized mesoporous silica (SBA‐15?NH₂?COOH). It shows good efficiency in catalyzing the cyclopropanation reaction of styrene and ethyl diazoacetate (EDA) forming cis‐ and trans‐1‐ethoxycarbonyl‐2‐phenylcyclopropane. To characterize the structure of this catalyst and to confirm the successful immobilization, heteronuclear solid‐state NMR experiments have been performed. The high application potential of dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) NMR for the analysis of binding sites in this novel catalyst is demonstrated. Signal‐enhanced ¹³C CP MAS and ¹⁵N CP MAS techniques have been employed to detect different carboxyl and amine binding sites in natural abundance on a fast time scale. The interpretation of the experimental chemical shift values for different binding sites has been corroborated by quantum chemical calculations on dirhodium model complexes.     

Magic angle spinning NMR with metallized rotors as cylindrical microwave resonators

We introduce a novel design for millimeter wave electromagnetic structures within magic angle spinning (MAS) rotors. In this demonstration, a copper coating is vacuum deposited onto the outside surface of a sapphire rotor at a thickness of 50 nm. This thickness is sufficient to reflect 197‐GHz microwaves, yet not too thick as to interfere with radiofrequency fields at 300 MHz or prevent sample spinning due to eddy currents. Electromagnetic simulations of an idealized rotor geometry show a microwave quality factor of 148. MAS experiments with sample rotation frequencies of ω_r/2π = 5.4 kHz demonstrate that the drag force due to eddy currents within the copper does not prevent sample spinning. Spectra of sodium acetate show resolved ¹³C J‐couplings of 60 Hz and no appreciable broadening between coated and uncoated sapphire rotors, demonstrating that the copper coating does not prevent shimming and high‐resolution nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Additionally, ¹³C Rabi nutation curves of ω₁/2π = 103 kHz for both coated and uncoated rotors indicate no detrimental impact of the copper coating on radio frequency coupling of the nuclear spins to the sample coil. We present this metal coated rotor as a first step towards an MAS resonator. MAS resonators are expected to have a significant impact on developments in electron decoupling, pulsed dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP), room temperature DNP, DNP with low‐power microwave sources, and electron paramagnetic resonance detection.     

Synthesis and characterization of nanoapatites organofunctionalized with aminotriphosphonate agents

Organofunctionalized apatite nanoparticles were prepared using a one step process involving dissolution/precipitation of natural phosphate rock and covalent grafting of nitrilotris(methylene)triphosphonate (NTP). The synthesized materials were characterized by Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface measurement, thermogravimetry, inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy (ICP–ES), elemental analysis, multinuclear solid state cross-polarization/magic angle spinning (CP/MAS) and single-pulse NMR spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA). After grafting BET measurements yielded particle specific surface areas ranging from 88 to 193 m² g^?1 depending on the grafted phosphonate. The results show that the surfaces of the nanoapatite particles can be covered with functional groups bound through a variable number of R–P–O–Ca bonds to render them organoapatites.