Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Relaxivities: Investigations of Ultrahigh‐Spin Lanthanide Clusters from 10 MHz to 1.4 GHz

Paramagnetic relaxation enhancement is often explored in magnetic resonance imaging in terms of contrast agents and in biomolecular nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy for structure determination. New ultrahigh‐spin clusters are investigated with respect to their NMR relaxation properties. As their molecular size and therefore motional correlation times as well as their electronic properties differ significantly from those of conventional contrast agents, questions about a comprehensive characterization arise. The relaxivity was studied by field‐dependent longitudinal and transverse NMR relaxometry of aqueous solutions containing Fe^III₁₀Dy^III₁₀ ultrahigh‐spin clusters (spin ground state 100/2). The high‐field limit was extended to 32.9 T by using a 24 MW resistive magnet and an ultrahigh‐frequency NMR setup. Interesting relaxation dispersions were observed; the relaxivities increase up to the highest available fields, which indicates a complex interplay of electronic and molecular correlation times.     

Pulse Fourier Transform 13C-NMR Spectroscopy,Principles and Applications

As a result of the development of pulse Fourier transform NMR spectroscopy ¹³C resonance has become accepted as a means of elucidating the structures of organic compounds having the natural ¹³C abundance. Assignment of the signals is facilitated by broad-band and off resonance proton decoupling and by knowledge of longitudinal relaxation times. The pulse Fourier technique, which is more sensitive and faster than conventional NMR spectroscopy because of multi-channel excitation, allows ¹³C measurements within a short time even on dilute samples of high molecular weight compounds without prior enrichment in ¹³C.     

Systematic Dielectric and NMR Study of the Ionic Liquid 1‐Alkyl‐3‐Methyl Imidazolium

The dynamic behaviors of ionic liquid samples consisting of a series of 1‐alkyl‐3‐methylimidazolium cations and various counteranionic species are investigated systematically over a wide frequency range from 1 MHz to 20 GHz at room temperature using dielectric relaxation (DR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopies. DR spectra for the ionic liquids are reasonably deconvoluted into two or three relaxation modes. The slowest relaxation times are strongly dependent upon sample viscosity and cation size, whereas the relaxation times of other modes are almost independent of these factors. We attribute the two slower relaxation modes to the rotational relaxation modes of the dipolar cations because the correlation times of the cations evaluated using longitudinal relaxation time (T₁ ¹³C NMR) measurements corresponded to the dielectric relaxation times. On the other hand, the fastest relaxation mode is presumably related to the inter‐ion motions of ion‐pairs formed between cationic and anionic species. In the case of the ionic liquid bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, the system shows marked dielectric relaxation behavior due to rotational motion of dipolar anionic species in addition to the relaxation modes attributed to the dipolar cations.     

Rotational energy transfer cross sections in methane (13CD4) from infrared double resonance measurements

Rotational relaxation times have been measured for methane (¹³CD₄) in collisions with itself, He, Ne, Ar, Kr, Xe, and CH₂F₂, using the method of infrared double resonance. Collision efficiencies range from one-half to greater than gas-kinetic, and the measured relaxation times are longer in the vibrational ground state than in the υ₄ = 1 excited state.     

An analysis of the β transition of linear and branched polyethylenes by carbon-13 NMR

Carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance relaxation parameters have been obtained as a function of temperature for a set of branched polyethylenes whose β transition temperatures were determined independently. Resolvable spectra could be obtained at temperatures either corresponding to or very close to the temperature of the β transition. Together with results for other systems, these observations preclude the indentification of the β transition with the glass temperature. From the measured spin relaxation times and nuclear Overhauser enhancements average correlation times were calculated as a function of temperature. The average correlation times were calculated as a function of temperature. The average correlation time is on the order of 10^?8?10^?9 s at the β transition. These results argue strongly against it being assigned to the glass temperature.     

Lamellar thickness of crystallizable ethene runs in ethene-propene copolymers by solid state NMR

Crystallizable runs of ethene in ethene-propene copolymers can be identified in ¹³C CPMAS NMR spectra as a resonance at 33 ppm. In the absence of spin diffusion, the variation in intensity of this resonance with a ¹H spin lock will reflect the intrinsic T^H_1ρ. Spin diffusion leads to a more complex relaxation decay, which reflects the local polymer morphology. Simulations of the spin diffusion process have been carried out for a simplified two-phase model for the morphology with the aim of determining whether the lamellar thickness of the crystalline and amorphous regions can be found from the T^H_1ρ observed via the ¹³C NMR spectrum. Calculations covering the expected range of the input parameters, namely the spin diffusion coefficients, domain lengths, and intrinsic relaxation times, show that, providing the intrinsic relaxation time in the amorphous phase is known, an accurate estimate of the crystalline and amorphous lamellar thicknesses can be made. Analysis of simulated T^H_1ρ decays indicate that, in general, the time constant of the fastest decaying component can be identified with the intrinsic relaxation time of the amorphous phase. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Intermolecular nuclear relaxation in paramagnetic solutions: from free radicals to rare earths

The principles of the intermolecular relaxation of a nuclear spin by its fluctuating magnetic dipolar interactions with the electronic spins of the paramagnetic surrounding species in solution are briefly recalled. It is shown that a very high dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) of solvent protons is obtained by saturating allowed transitions of free radicals with a hyperfine structure, and that this effect can be used in efficient Earth field magnetometers. Recent work on trivalent lanthanide Ln³⁺ aqua complexes in heavy water solutions is discussed, including paramagnetic shift and relaxation rate measurements of the ¹H NMR lines of probe solutes. This allows a determination of the effective electronic magnetic moments of the various Ln³⁺ ions in these complexes, and an estimation of their longitudinal and transverse electronic relaxation times T_1e and T_2e. Particular attention is given to Gd(III) hydrated chelates which can serve as contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The full experimental electronic paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of these complexes can be interpreted within the Redfield relaxation theory. Monte-Carlo simulations are used to explore situations beyond the validity of the Redfield approximation. For each Gd(III) complex, the EPR study leads to an accurate prediction of T_1e, which can be also derived from an independent relaxation dispersion study of the protons of the probe solutes.     

How to measure absolute P3HT crystallinity via 13C CPMAS NMR

We outline the details of acquiring quantitative ¹³C cross‐polarization magic angle spinning (CPMAS) nuclear magnetic resonance on the most ubiquitous polymer for organic electronic applications, poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT), despite other groups' claims that CPMAS of P3HT is strictly nonquantitative. We lay out the optimal experimental conditions for measuring crystallinity in P3HT, which is a parameter that has proven to be critical in the electrical performance of P3HT‐containing organic photovoltaics but remains difficult to measure by scattering/diffraction and optical methods despite considerable efforts. Herein, we overview the spectral acquisition conditions of the two P3HT films with different crystallinities (0.47 and 0.55) and point out that because of the chemical similarity of P3HT to other alkyl side chain, highly conjugated main chain polymers, our protocol could straightforwardly be extended to other organic electronic materials. Variable temperature ¹H NMR results are shown as well, which (i) yield insight into the molecular dynamics of P3HT, (ii) add context for spectral editing techniques as applied to quantifying crystallinity, and (iii) show why T_1ρ^H, the ¹H spin–lattice relaxation time in the rotating frame, is a more optimal relaxation filter for distinguishing between crystalline and noncrystalline phases of highly conjugated alkyl side‐chain polymers than other relaxation times such as the ¹H spin–spin relaxation time, T₂^H, and the spin–lattice relaxation time in the toggling frame, T_1xz^H. A 7 ms T_1ρ^H spin lock filter, prior to CPMAS, allows for spectroscopic separation of crystalline and noncrystalline ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance signals. Published 2016. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.     

Simultaneous measurements of T1 and T2 during fast polymerization reaction using continuous wave‐free precession NMR method

Continuous wave‐free precession (CWFP) pulse sequence employing time domain nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (TD‐NMR) was used to measure longitudinal (T₁) and transverse relaxation times (T₂), during the cure of a commercial epoxy resin (Araldite^TM) with a 10‐min solidification time. The intensity of the NMR signal after the first pulse and in the CWFP regime were used to monitor the concentration of the monomers, and the relaxation times were used to monitor the chain mobility. The main advantage of CWFP over the standard methods to measure relaxation times, inversion recovery (inv‐rec) for T₁ and Carr‐Purcell‐Meiboom‐Gill (CPMG) for T₂, is that the measurement of both relaxation times can be performed in a fast and single NMR experiment and, therefore, using a single reaction batch. CWFP is also as fast as the CPMG measurement but at least fivefold faster than the method to obtain T₁ using null point approximation in the inv‐rec method. Therefore, the CWFP sequence can be used as a fast and general method to measure relaxation times in polymerization reactions, even with fast solidification time. As a TD‐NMR technique, CWFP can be employed in any low‐cost bench top TD‐NMR equipment commonly used in an academic or industrial laboratory. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Single vibronic level fluorescence and relaxation spectra of s-tetrazine-d0 and d2 vapors

The third strongest cold band in the 5500Å absorption spectrum of s-tetrazine vapor is assigned to 6b₀² by analysis of single-vibronic-level (SVL) fluorescence spectra obtained with a tunable cw dye laser. Fermi resonance model calculations for the doublet 6a₀¹…6b₀² simulate the perturbations of relative intensities in ν_6a^″ fluorescence progressions which arise fron interference between the two terms of the Franck-Condon factors. Addition of a quartic anharmonic term to the quadratic ν_6b^′ potential accounts for the observed spacing of the observed 6b¹ and 6b² levels and suggests a likely candidate for the heretofore missing 6b₀⁴ member of the Fermi resonance triad. Weak bands with in-plane polarization are revealed in fluorescence and contribute to a list of newly measured frequencies of the ground state. Experiments with added n-pentane show that rotational relaxation proceeds at the hard-sphere rate while vibrational relaxation is about five times slower. Vibrational relaxation exhibits non-statistical distribution in the early stages; it is rather distinctive when starting from the zero-level of the excited state, but is reminiscent of earlier work (on benzene) when starting from the 16b¹ level. Identification of the level 6b¹ is supported by these relaxation experiments.     

Nuclear spin relaxation dynamics of 13CO2 sorbed in polyisobutene rubber

Recently we presented the dynamics of ¹³CO₂ molecules sorbed in silicone rubber (PDMS) ascertained from spin relaxation experiments. Results of a similar investigation for ¹³CO₂ sorbed in polyisobutene (PIB) are presented in this report. The spin-lattice and spin-spin relaxation times as well as nuclear Overhauser enhancements (NOE) were determined as a function of temperature and Larmor frequency. The relaxation mechanisms found to be important for ¹³CO₂/PIB system are intermolecular dipole-dipole relaxation and chemical shift anisotropy with a minor contribution from spin rotation relaxation. We have determined the parameters which characterize correlation times for ¹³CO₂ collisional motion, rotational motion, and translational motions in the PIB. The self-diffusion coefficient of 5.15 × 10^?8 cm²/s obtained from the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data is close to the literature value of the mutual diffusion coefficient of CO₂ in PIB at 300 K obtained from permeability measurements. In contrast to the case of CO₂/PDMS in which a broad distribution (characterized by a fractional exponential correlation function of the Williams-Watts type with α = 0.58) is observed, a sharp distribution with a fractional exponent, α, of 0.99 is found for the CO₂/PIB system. Instead of assuming an Arrhenius type temperature dependence, we used a Williams-Landel-Ferry type temperature dependence and found it to be better suited to describe the behavior of this system. PIB is a densely packed “strong” chain polymer which responds gradually to the temperature variation and gas sorption. In contrast PDMS is a relatively loosely packed “fragile” polymer with a propensity to exhibit rapid dynamic responses to the temperature change and gas sorption. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

CP/MAS Carbon-13 NMR Study of Spin Relaxation Phenomena of Cellulose Containing Crystalline and Noncrystalline Components

Abstract

Cross-polarization, ¹³C rotating frame spin-lattice relaxation and C laboratory frame spin-lattice relaxation processes have been studied for different cellulose samples by CP/MAS ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. It was found that the CP process can be described by a simple thermodynamic model and relative intensities of the respective resonance lines are consistent with the atomic ratios for the spectra obtained at a contact time of about 1 ms. The observed rotating frame spin-lattice relaxation times T^C ₁₀ were dominantly dependent on the time constant T^D _CH by which ¹³C nuclei were coupled to the ¹H dipolar spin system. It was, therefore, impossible to obtain information about molecular     

Mechanism of Proton Relaxation for Enzyme‐Manipulated,Multicomponent Gold–Magnetic Nanoparticle Chains

Longitudinal and transverse relaxation times of multicomponent nanoparticle (NP) chains are investigated for their potential use as multifunctional imaging agents in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Gold NPs (ca. 5 nm) are arranged linearly along double‐stranded DNA, creating gold NP chains. After cutting gold NP chains with restriction enzymes (EcoRI or BamHI), multicomponent NP chains are formed through a ligation reaction with enzyme‐cut, superparamagnetic NP chains. We evaluate the changes in relaxation times for different constructs of gold–iron oxide NP chains and gold–cobalt iron oxide NP chains using 300 MHz ¹H NMR. In addition, the mechanism of proton relaxation for multicomponent NP chains is examined. The results indicate that relaxation times are dependent on the one‐dimensional structure and the amount of superparamagnetic NP chains present in the multicomponent constructs. Multicomponent NP chains arranged on double‐stranded DNA provide a feasible method for fabrication of multifunctional imaging agents that improve relaxation times effectively for MRI applications.     

Frequency and molecular-mass-dependent nonexponential proton NMR relaxation in polymer melts

A theoretical treatment of the nonexponential relaxation behavior of the different proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxation processes in polymer melts is presented. Formulas are derived for a three-component model given by two versions and a homogeneous distribution of correlation times. The theoretical results were tested with measurements of T₁, T_2e, and T₂ as functions of frequency and molecular mass in linear fractionated polyethylene samples. While the T₁ relaxation always yields exponential magnetization decays, the T_2e and T₂ measurements show biexponential relaxation behavior. From the calculations it was found that the correlation time of the local motion is independent of the molecular mass, whereas the correlation time of the slowest motional process increases with M^2.8_w for the three-component model and with M^2.2_w for the distribution of correlation times, respectively. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Dynamic nuclear polarization enhancement of protons and vanadium‐51 in the presence of pH‐dependent vanadyl radicals

We report applications of dynamic nuclear polarization to enhance proton and vanadium‐51 polarization of vanadyl sulfate samples doped with TOTAPOL under magic angle spinning conditions. The electron paramagnetic resonance response stemming from the paramagnetic ⁵¹V species was monitored as a function of pH, which can be adjusted to improve the enhancement of the proton polarization. By means of cross‐polarization from the proton bath, ⁵¹V spins could be hyperpolarized. Enhancement factors, build‐up times, and longitudinal relaxation times T₁(¹H) and T₁(⁵¹V) were investigated as a function of pH. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

23Na NMR in urethane cross-linked polyether solid polymer electrolytes

Sodium triflate/polyether urethane polymer electrolytes ranging in concentration from 0.05 molal to 1.75 molal have been investigated via ²³Na static solid-state NMR. Room temperature spectra and spin lattice relaxation times were consistent with a single narrow resonance indicating the presence of only mobile ionic species. The concentration and temperature dependence of relaxation times, chemical shifts, and linewidth have been investigated. The results suggest either a single species or rapid exchange between a number of species (even at temperatures below the glass transition temperature, T_g). The linewidth decreases with increasing concentration of ions and remains temperature independent below T_g. Below T_g a maximum quadrupolar interaction constant of 2 MHz is calculated. The addition of plasticizer to the polymer electrolyte causes significant chemical shift changes that depend on the solvent donicity of the plasticizer. The linewidth and T₁ relaxation times also depend on the T_g of the plasticized systems. Previous ²³Na NMR literature results are reviewed and qualitative models developed to account for the variation in results. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

31P and 17O nuclear spin—lattice relaxation in some phosphorylated molecules. Determination of 31P spin—rotation coupon constants, 17O quadrupolar coupling constants and chemical shielding anisotropy of the 31P nucleus

The spin—lattice relaxation time of the ³¹P nucleus was measured for 11 phosphorylated molecules (phosphine oxides, trialkylphosphates and phosphoramides) dissolved in nitromethane at three different frequencies and as a function of the temperature for three compounds. The different contributions to the relaxation rate due to dipolar, chemical shift anisotropy and spin—rotation interactions were determined and the reorientational correlation times of the molecules were deduced when the anisotropy of the chemical shift tensor of the ³¹P nucleus could be (re)determined. The quadrupolar coupling constant of the ¹⁷O nucleus was also determined from the linewidth of the nuclear magnetic resonance signals, for phosphine oxides and triphenylphosphate, giving some information on the electronic distribution into the phosphoryl bond. The spin—rotation coupling constants for trimethylphosphine oxide and triphenylphosphine oxide were deduced and the chemical shift anisotropy Δσ of trialkylphosphates estimated.     

Thermal transitions in associating aqueous block copolymers: light scattering,rheology and spectroscopy

Solutions containing a polyoxy-ethylene/polyoxy-propylene/polyoxy-ethylene (PEO–PPO–PEO) block copolymer, indicated as F68, in water were investigated as a function of composition and temperature. Hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) line width, chemical shift, self-diffusion, spin-lattice relaxation times, laser light scattering and rheological methods were used. The monomer–micelle equilibrium and the micelle–liquid crystalline phase transitions depend on the F68 content in the mixture and temperature. Significant changes in light scattering intensity and apparent hydrodynamic radius are associated to micelle formation above the critical micellar temperature (CMT). According to a Contin analysis, this behaviour is reflected in the presence of two populations in the intensity–intensity autocorrelation functions. The contributions due to molecules and micelles can be evaluated separately. No such effects are observed below the CMT. Micelle onset is also associated to variations in ¹H NMR spectra, affecting the chemical shift, line width and spin-lattice relaxation time of the PPO methyl protons and self-diffusion, as well. Spin-lattice relaxation times of PEO chains, conversely, change significantly at temperatures close to the micelle–liquid crystalline thermal transition. Similar results were obtained from the line width of ²H NMR spectra as a function of T. Significant changes in both viscous and elastic modulus were also observed and ascribed to PPO dehydration, at the CMT, as well as to squeezing and dehydration of PEO units in liquid crystal formation, respectively.