Solid‐State 17O NMR Spectroscopy of Paramagnetic Coordination Compounds

High‐quality solid‐state ¹⁷O (I=5/2) NMR spectra can be successfully obtained for paramagnetic coordination compounds in which oxygen atoms are directly bonded to the paramagnetic metal centers. For complexes containing V^III (S=1), Cu^II (S=1/2), and Mn^III (S=2) metal centers, the ¹⁷O isotropic paramagnetic shifts were found to span a range of more than 10 000 ppm. In several cases, high‐resolution ¹⁷O NMR spectra were recorded under very fast magic‐angle spinning (MAS) conditions at 21.1 T. Quantum‐chemical computations using density functional theory (DFT) qualitatively reproduced the experimental ¹⁷O hyperfine shift tensors.     

A Study of Transition‐Metal Organometallic Complexes Combining 35Cl Solid‐State NMR Spectroscopy and 35Cl NQR Spectroscopy and First‐Principles DFT Calculations

A series of transition‐metal organometallic complexes with commonly occurring metal? chlorine bonding motifs were characterized using ³⁵Cl solid‐state NMR (SSNMR) spectroscopy, ³⁵Cl nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) spectroscopy, and first‐principles density functional theory (DFT) calculations of NMR interaction tensors. Static ³⁵Cl ultra‐wideline NMR spectra were acquired in a piecewise manner at standard (9.4 T) and high (21.1 T) magnetic field strengths using the WURST‐QCPMG pulse sequence. The ³⁵Cl electric field gradient (EFG) and chemical shielding (CS) tensor parameters were readily extracted from analytical simulations of the spectra; in particular, the quadrupolar parameters are shown to be very sensitive to structural differences, and can easily differentiate between chlorine atoms in bridging and terminal bonding environments. ³⁵Cl NQR spectra were acquired for many of the complexes, which aided in resolving structurally similar, yet crystallographically distinct and magnetically inequivalent chlorine sites, and with the interpretation and assignment of ³⁵Cl SSNMR spectra. ³⁵Cl EFG tensors obtained from first‐principles DFT calculations are consistently in good agreement with experiment, highlighting the importance of using a combined approach of theoretical and experimental methods for structural characterization. Finally, a preliminary example of a ³⁵Cl SSNMR spectrum of a transition‐metal species (TiCl₄) diluted and supported on non‐porous silica is presented. The combination of ³⁵Cl SSNMR and ³⁵Cl NQR spectroscopy and DFT calculations is shown to be a promising and simple methodology for the characterization of all manner of chlorine‐containing transition‐metal complexes, in pure, impure bulk and supported forms.     

Exploring the Molecular Structure of Imidazolium–Silica‐Based Nanoparticle Networks by Combining Solid‐State NMR Spectroscopy and First‐Principles Calculations

A DFT‐based molecular model for imidazolium–silica‐based nanoparticle networks (INNs) is presented. The INNs were synthesized and characterized by using small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS), NMR spectroscopy, and theoretical ab initio calculations. ¹¹B and ³¹P HETCOR CP MAS experiments were recorded. Calculated ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy results, combined with the calculated anion–imidazolium (IM) distances, predicted the IM chain density in the INN, which was also confirmed from thermogravimetric analysis/mass spectrometry results. The presence of water molecules trapped between the nanoparticles is also suggested. First considerations on possible π–π stacking between the IM rings are presented. The predicted electronic properties confirm the photoluminescence emissions in the correct spectral domain.     

Crystallographic and Dynamic Aspects of Solid‐State NMR Calibration Compounds: Towards ab Initio NMR Crystallography

The excellent results of dispersion‐corrected density functional theory (DFT‐D) calculations for static systems have been well established over the past decade. The introduction of dynamics into DFT‐D calculations is a target, especially for the field of molecular NMR crystallography. Four ¹³C ss‐NMR calibration compounds are investigated by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, molecular dynamics and DFT‐D calculations. The crystal structure of 3‐methylglutaric acid is reported. The rotator phases of adamantane and hexamethylbenzene at room temperature are successfully reproduced in the molecular dynamics simulations. The calculated ¹³C chemical shifts of these compounds are in excellent agreement with experiment, with a root‐mean‐square deviation of 2.0 ppm. It is confirmed that a combination of classical molecular dynamics and DFT‐D chemical shift calculation improves the accuracy of calculated chemical shifts.     

An Investigation of 1:1 Adducts of Gallium Trihalides with Triarylphosphines by Solid‐State 69/71Ga and 31P NMR Spectroscopy

Several 1:1 adducts of gallium trihalides with triarylphosphines, X₃Ga(PR₃) (X=Cl, Br, and I; PR₃=triarylphosphine ligand), were investigated by using solid‐state ^69/71Ga and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy at different magnetic‐field strengths. The ^69/71Ga nuclear quadrupolar coupling parameters, as well as the gallium and phosphorus magnetic shielding tensors, were determined. The magnitude of the ⁷¹Ga quadrupolar coupling constants (C_Q(⁷¹Ga)) range from approximately 0.9 to 11.0 MHz . The spans of the gallium magnetic shielding tensors for these complexes, δ₁₁?δ₃₃, range from approximately 30 to 380 ppm; those determined for phosphorus range from 10 to 40 ppm. For any given phosphine ligand, the gallium nuclei are most shielded for X=I and least shielded for X=Cl, a trend previously observed for In^III–phosphine complexes. This experimental trend, attributed to spin‐orbit effects of the halogen ligands, is reproduced by DFT calculations. The signs of C_Q(^69/71Ga) for some of the adducts were determined from the analysis of the ³¹P NMR spectra acquired with magic angle spinning (MAS). The ¹J(^69/71Ga,³¹P) and ΔJ(^69/71Ga, ³¹P) values, as well as their signs, were also determined; values of ¹J(⁷¹Ga,³¹P) range from approximately 380 to 1590 Hz. Values of ¹J(^69/71Ga,³¹P) and ΔJ(^69/71Ga,³¹P) calculated by using DFT have comparable magnitudes and generally reproduce experimental trends. Both the Fermi‐contact and spin‐dipolar Fermi‐contact mechanisms make important contributions to the ¹J(^69/71Ga,³¹P) tensors. The ³¹P NMR spectra of several adducts in solution, obtained as a function of temperature, are contrasted with those obtained in the solid state. Finally, to complement the analysis of NMR spectra for these adducts, single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction data for Br₃Ga[P(p‐Anis)₃] and I₃Ga[P(p‐Anis)₃] were obtained.     

An Investigation of Lanthanum Coordination Compounds by Using Solid‐State 139La NMR Spectroscopy and Relativistic Density Functional Theory

Lanthanum‐139 NMR spectra of stationary samples of several solid La^III coordination compounds have been obtained at applied magnetic fields of 11.75 and 17.60 T. The breadth and shape of the ¹³⁹La NMR spectra of the central transition are dominated by the interaction between the ¹³⁹La nuclear quadrupole moment and the electric field gradient (EFG) at that nucleus; however, the influence of chemical‐shift anisotropy on the NMR spectra is non‐negligible for the majority of the compounds investigated. Analysis of the experimental NMR spectra reveals that the ¹³⁹La quadrupolar coupling constants (C_Q) range from 10.0 to 35.6 MHz, the spans of the chemical‐shift tensor (Ω) range from 50 to 260 ppm, and the isotropic chemical shifts (δ_iso) range from ?80 to 178 ppm. In general, there is a correlation between the magnitudes of C_Q and Ω, and δ_iso is shown to depend on the La coordination number. Magnetic‐shielding tensors, calculated by using relativistic zeroth‐order regular approximation density functional theory (ZORA‐DFT) and incorporating scalar only or scalar plus spin–orbit relativistic effects, qualitatively reproduce the experimental chemical‐shift tensors. In general, the inclusion of spin–orbit coupling yields results that are in better agreement with those from the experiment. The magnetic‐shielding calculations and experimentally determined Euler angles can be used to predict the orientation of the chemical‐shift and EFG tensors in the molecular frame. This study demonstrates that solid‐state ¹³⁹La NMR spectroscopy is a useful characterization method and can provide insight into the molecular structure of lanthanum coordination compounds.     

Density Functional Theory Calculations of 95Mo NMR Parameters in Solid‐State Compounds

The application of periodic density functional theory‐based methods to the calculation of ⁹⁵Mo electric field gradient (EFG) and chemical shift (CS) tensors in solid‐state molybdenum compounds is presented. Calculations of EFG tensors are performed using the projector augmented‐wave (PAW) method. Comparison of the results with those obtained using the augmented plane wave + local orbitals (APW+lo) method and with available experimental values shows the reliability of the approach for ⁹⁵Mo EFG tensor calculation. CS tensors are calculated using the recently developed gauge‐including projector augmented‐wave (GIPAW) method. This work is the first application of the GIPAW method to a 4d transition‐metal nucleus. The effects of ultra‐soft pseudo‐potential parameters, exchange‐correlation functionals and structural parameters are precisely examined. Comparison with experimental results allows the validation of this computational formalism.     

Spin‐Polarized Structures and Solid‐State NMR Spectroscopy of Paramagnetic Compounds

On an atomic scale and with high sensitivity, solid‐state NMR spectroscopy can provide information about the electronic spin density and coupling mechanisms in paramagnetic compounds. The picture shows how the hyperfine splitting collapses through relaxation. Insights into which compounds are suitable and which approximations have to be made are given.

     

Observation of Diastereotopic Signals in 15N NMR Spectroscopy

The first example in the literature of a compound showing anisochronous ¹⁵N atoms resulting from diastereotopicity is described. Racemic 1,3‐dimethyl‐2‐phenyloctahydro‐1H‐benzimidazole was prepared and studied by ¹H, ¹³C and ¹⁵N NMR spectroscopy. If convenient conditions were used (monitored by theoretical calculations of ²J_N‐H spin–spin coupling constants), two ¹⁵N NMR signals were observed and corresponded to the diastereotopic atoms. GIAO/density‐functional calculations of chemical shifts were not only in good agreement with the experimental values but also served as prediction tools. This study suggests that ¹⁵N NMR spectroscopy could be used to probe chirality.     

Selectively Measuring π Back‐Donation in Gold(I) Complexes by NMR Spectroscopy

Even though the Dewar–Chatt–Duncanson model has been successfully used by chemists since the 1950s, no experimental methodology is yet known to unambiguously estimate the constituents (donation and back‐donation) of a metal–ligand interaction. It is demonstrated here that one of these components, the metal‐to‐ligand π back‐donation, can be effectively probed by NMR measurements aimed at determining the rotational barrier of a C?N bond (ΔH_r^≠) of a nitrogen acyclic carbene ligand. A large series of gold(I) complexes have been synthesized and analyzed, and it was found that the above experimental observables show an accurate correlation with back‐donation, as defined theoretically by the appropriate charge displacement originated upon bond formation. The proposed method is potentially of wide applicability for analyzing the ligand effect in metal catalysts and guiding their design.     

14N Solid‐State NMR Spectroscopy of Amino Acids

¹⁴N ultra‐wideline solid‐state NMR (SSNMR) spectra were obtained for 16 naturally occurring amino acids and four related derivatives by using the WURST–CPMG (wideband, uniform rate, and smooth truncation Carr–Purcell–Meiboom–Gill) pulse sequence and frequency‐stepped techniques. The ¹⁴N quadrupolar parameters were measured for the sp³ nitrogen moieties (quadrupolar coupling constant, C_Q, values ranged from 0.8 to 1.5 MHz). With the aid of plane‐wave DFT calculations of the ¹⁴N electric‐field gradient tensor parameters and orientations, the moieties were grouped into three categories according to the values of the quadrupolar asymmetry parameter, η_Q: low (≤0.3), intermediate (0.31–0.7), and high (≥0.71). For RNH₃⁺ moieties, greater variation in N?H bond lengths was observed for systems with intermediate η_Q values than for those with low η_Q values (this variation arose from different intermolecular hydrogen‐bonding arrangements). Strategies for increasing the efficiency of ¹⁴N SSNMR spectroscopy experiments were discussed, including the use of sample deuteration, high‐power ¹H decoupling, processing strategies, high magnetic fields, and broadband cross‐polarization (BRAIN‐CP). The temperature‐dependent rotations of the NH₃ groups and their influence on ¹⁴N transverse relaxation rates were examined. Finally, ¹⁴N SSNMR spectroscopy was used to differentiate two polymorphs of l ‐histidine through their quadrupolar parameters and transverse relaxation time constants. The strategies outlined herein permitted the rapid acquisition of directly detected ¹⁴N SSNMR spectra that to date was not matched by other proposed methods.     

Solid‐State NMR and DFT Combined for the Surface Study of Functionalized Silicon Nanoparticles

Silicon nanoparticles (NPs) serve a wide range of optical, electronic, and biological applications. Chemical grafting of various molecules to Si NPs can help to passivate their reactive surfaces, “fine‐tune” their properties, or even give them further interesting features. In this work, ¹H, ¹³C, and ²⁹Si solid‐state NMR spectroscopy has been combined with density functional theory calculations to study the surface chemistry of hydride‐terminated and alkyl‐functionalized Si NPs. This combination of techniques yields assignments for the observed chemical shifts, including the contributions resulting from different surface planes, and highlights the presence of physisorbed water. Resonances from near‐surface ¹³C nuclei were shown to be substantially broadened due to surface disorder and it is demonstrated that in an ambient environment hydride‐terminated Si NPs undergo fast back‐bond oxidation, whereas long‐chain alkyl‐functionalized Si NPs undergo slow oxidation. Furthermore, the combination of NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations showed that the employed hydrosilylation reaction involves anti‐Markovnikov addition of the 1‐alkene to the surface of the Si NPs.     

Selective Host–Guest Interaction between Metal Ions and Metal–Organic Frameworks Using Dynamic Nuclear Polarization Enhanced Solid‐State NMR Spectroscopy

The host–guest interaction between metal ions (Pt²⁺ and Cu²⁺) and a zirconium metal–organic framework (UiO‐66‐NH₂) was explored using dynamic nuclear polarization‐enhanced ¹⁵N{¹H} CPMAS NMR spectroscopy supported by X‐ray absorption spectroscopy and density functional calculations. The combined experimental results conclude that each Pt²⁺ coordinates with two NH₂ groups from the MOF and two Cl^? from the metal precursor, whereas Cu²⁺ do not form chemical bonds with the NH₂ groups of the MOF framework. Density functional calculations reveal that Pt²⁺ prefers a square‐planar structure with the four ligands and resides in the octahedral cage of the MOF in either cis or trans configurations.     

Boronate Ligands in Materials: Determining Their Local Environment by Using a Combination of IR/Solid‐State NMR Spectroscopies and DFT Calculations

Boronic acids (R‐B(OH)₂) are a family of molecules that have found a large number of applications in materials science. In contrast, boronate anions (R‐B(OH)₃^?) have hardly been used so far for the preparation of novel materials. Here, a new crystalline phase involving a boronate ligand is described, Ca[C₄H₉‐B(OH)₃]₂, which is then used as a basis for the establishment of the spectroscopic signatures of boronates in the solid state. The phase was characterized by IR and multinuclear solid‐state NMR spectroscopy (¹H, ¹³C, ¹¹B and ⁴³Ca), and then modeled by periodic DFT calculations. Anharmonic OH vibration frequencies were calculated as well as NMR parameters (by using the Gauge Including Projector Augmented Wave—GIPAW—method). These data allow relationships between the geometry around the OH groups in boronates and the IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopic data to be established, which will be key to the future interpretation of the spectra of more complex organic–inorganic materials containing boronate building blocks.     

Superstructure of a Substituted Zeolitic Imidazolate Metal–Organic Framework Determined by Combining Proton Solid‐State NMR Spectroscopy and DFT Calculations

We report the supercell crystal structure of a ZIF‐8 analog substituted imidazolate metal–organic framework (SIM‐1) obtained by combining solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance and powder X‐ray diffraction experiments with density functional theory calculations.