Social isomers in encapsulation complexes

We introduce here a new form of isomerism-social isomerism-that arises when two different guests are confined to a cylindrical host capsule. The isomerism deals with the orientationof one guest with respect to the other when they are in a container. Specifically, para-substituted toluenes coencapsulated with typical solvent molecules such as benzene, chloroform, and cyclohexane show two different isomeric arrangements that interconvert slowly on the NMR time scale. The dimensions of the capsule prevent the guests from squeezing past one another or tumbling freely.     

Azolium-linked cyclophanes: a comprehensive examination of conformations by 1H NMR spectroscopy and structural studies

The synthesis and characterization of a series of azolium-linked cyclophanes are reported. The cyclophanes consist of two azolium groups (17 examples) or three imidazolium groups (1 example) linked to two benzenoid units (benzene, naphthalene, p-xylene, mesitylene, 1,2,3,4- and 1,2,4,5-tetramethylbenzene, 2,6-pyridine, and p-tert-butylphenol) via methylene groups. Cyclophanes containing ortho-, meta-, and para-substitution patterns in the benzenoid units were examined. The conformations of the cyclophanes were examined in solution by variable-temperature NMR studies and in the solid state by crystallographic studies. The p-cyclophanes and mesitylene-based m- and o/m-cyclophanes are rigid on the NMR time scale, as indicated by sharp (1)H NMR spectra at all accessible temperatures. The non-mesitylene-based m-cyclophanes and the o-cyclophanes are fluxional on the NMR time scale at high temperatures, but in most cases, specific conformations can be "frozen out" at low temperatures. Many structures deduced from solution studies were consistent with those in the solid state.     

Hyphenation of capillary separations with nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

The hyphenation of small-volume separations to information-rich detection offers the promise of unmatched analytical information on the components of complex mixtures. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy provides information about molecular structure, although sensitivity remains an issue for on-line NMR detection. This is especially true when hyphenating NMR to capillary separations as the observation time and analyte mass are decreased to the point where reduced information is obtained from the eluting analytes. Because of these limitations, advances in instrumental performance have a large impact on the overall performance of a separation–NMR system. Instrumental aspects and the capabilities of cLC–NMR, CEC–NMR and CE–NMR are reviewed, and applications that have used this technology highlighted. Recent trends towards small volume capillary scale separations are emphasized, as is the recent success of capillary-isotachophoresis (cITP)–NMR.     

Coupled ion/electron hopping in Li(x)NiO2: a 7Li NMR study

Deintercalated "Li(x)NiO2" materials (x = 0.25, 0.33, 0.50, 0.58, and 0.65) were obtained using the electrochemical route from the Li0.985Ni1.015O2 and Li0.993Ni1.007O2 compounds. Refinements of X-ray diffraction data using the Rietveld method show a good agreement with the phase diagram of the Li(x)NiO2 system studied earlier in this laboratory. Electronic conductivity measurements show a thermally activated electron-hopping process for the deintercalated Li0.5NiO2 phase. In the Li(x)NiO2 materials investigated (x = 0.25, 0.33, 0.50, and 0.58), 7Li NMR shows mobility effects leading to an exchanged signal at room temperature. A clear tendency for Li to be surrounded mainly by Ni3+ ions with the 180 degree configuration is observed, particularly, for strongly deintercalated materials with smaller Li+ and Ni3+ contents, even upon heating, when this mobility becomes very fast in the NMR time scale. This suggests that Li/vacancy hopping does occur on the NMR time scale but that Ni3+/Ni4+ hopping does not occur independently. The position of Li seems to govern the oxidation state of the Ni around it at any time; the electrons follow the Li ions to satisfy local electroneutrality and minimal energy configuration. The observed NMR shifts are compatible with the Li/vacancy and Ni3+/Ni4+ ordering patterns calculated by Arroyo y de Dompablo et al. for x = 0.25 and x = 0.50, but not for x = 0.33 and x = 0.58.     

Polymer dynamics under nanoscopic constraints: the "corset effect" as revealed by NMR relaxometry and diffusometry.

A spinodal demixing technique was employed for the preparation of linear poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) confined in nanoscopic strands, which in turn are embedded in a quasi-solid methacrylate matrix impenetrable to PEO. Both the molecular weight of the PEO and the mean diameter of the strands are variable to a certain degree. Chain dynamics of the PEO in the molten state were examined with the aid of field-gradient NMR diffusometry and field-cycling NMR relaxometry. The dominating mechanism for translational displacements in the nanoscopic strands is shown to be reptation. A formalism for the evaluation of NMR diffusometry is presented, which permits the estimation of the mean PEO strand diameter. Samples of different composition revealed diameters in the range 9-58 nm, in reasonable agreement with electron micrographs. The time scale of the diffusion measurements was 10-300 ms. On the much shorter time scale of field-cycling NMR relaxometry, 10(-9)-10(-4)s, a frequency dispersion of the spin-lattice relaxation time characteristic for reptation clearly showed up in all samples. An effective tube diameter of only 0.6 nm was found even when the strand diameter was larger than the radius of gyration of the PEO chain random coils. The finding that the tube diameter effective on the short time scale of field-cycling NMR relaxometry is much smaller than the diameter of the confining structure is termed the "corset effect", and is traced back to the lack of local free-volume fluctuation capacity under nanoscale confinements. The order of magnitude of the 'pore' diameter, at which the cross-over from confined to bulk chain dynamics is expected, is estimated.     

Backbone motions of free and pheromone-bound major urinary protein I studied by molecular dynamics simulation

Molecular motions of free and pheromone-bound mouse major urinary protein I, previously investigated by NMR relaxation, were simulated in 30 ns molecular dynamics (MD) runs. The backbone flexibility was described in terms of order parameters and correlation times, commonly used in the NMR relaxation analysis. Special attention was paid to the effect of conformational changes on the nanosecond time scale. Time-dependent order parameters were determined in order to separate motions occurring on different time scales. As an alternative approach, slow conformational changes were identified from the backbone torsion angle variances, and "conformationally filtered" order parameters were calculated for well-defined conformation states. A comparison of the data obtained for the free and pheromone-bound protein showed that some residues are more rigid in the bound form, but a larger portion of the protein becomes more flexible upon the pheromone binding. This finding is in general agreement with the NMR results. The higher flexibility observed on the fast (fs-ps) time scale was typically observed for the residues exhibiting higher conformational freedom on the ns time scale. An inspection of the hydrogen bond network provided a structural explanation for the flexibility differences between the free and pheromone-bound proteins in the simulations.     

Dynamics of mononuclear cadmium beta-lactamase revealed by the combination of NMR and PAC spectroscopy

The two metal sites in cadmium substituted beta-lactamase from Bacillus cereus 569/H/9 have been studied by NMR spectroscopy ((1)H, (15)N, and (113)Cd) and PAC spectroscopy ((111m)Cd). Distinct NMR signals from the backbone amides are identified for the apoenzyme and the mononuclear and binuclear cadmium enzymes. For the binuclear cadmium enzyme, two (113)Cd NMR signals (142 and 262 ppm) and two (111m)Cd PAC nuclear quadrupole interactions are observed. Two nuclear quadrupole interactions are also observed, with approximately equal occupancy, in the PAC spectra at cadmium/enzyme ratios < 1; these are different from those derived for the binuclear cadmium enzyme, demonstrating interaction between the two metal ion binding sites. In contrast to the observation from PAC spectroscopy, only one (113)Cd NMR signal (176 ppm) is observed at cadmium/enzyme ratios < 1. The titration of the metal site imidazole (N)H proton signals as a function of cadmium ion-to-enzyme ratio shows that signals characteristic for the binuclear cadmium enzyme appear when the cadmium ion-to-enzyme ratio is between 1 and 2, whereas no signals are observed at stoichiometries less than 1. The simplest explanation consistent with all data is that, at cadmium/enzyme ratios < 1, the single Cd(II) is undergoing exchange between the two metal sites on the enzyme. This exchange must be fast on the (113)Cd NMR time scale and slow on the (111m)Cd PAC time scale and must thus occur in a time regime between 0.1 and 10 micros.     

NMR investigation of the exchange kinetics of quaternary ammonium dimeric surfactants C14-s-C14.2Br

The exchange kinetics of cationic gemini surfactants of the alkanediyl-alpha-omega-bis(tetradecyldimethylammonium bromide) type, with alkanediyl being 1,2-ethylene, 1,3-propylene, and 1,4-butylene, were investigated by 1H NMR, 2D COSY, and 2D EXSY experiments. In contrast to the conventional surfactants, a second set of well-resolved resonance peaks appeared in the 1H NMR spectra of these surfactants when their concentrations reached their critical concentrations. These two sets of resonance peaks originate from their monomers and micelles, which are proved by the correlation in the 2D COSY experiments and the cross polarization in the 2D NOESY spectra. Therefore, exchanges between monomers in the bulk solution and in the micelles or other aggregates of this series of surfactants occur slowly on the NMR time scale. The exchange rate constants were obtained by both NMR line shape analysis and 2D EXSY experiments, which are very consistent with each other. The exchange rate constants for the gemini surfactants were found to be orders of magnitude less than those for the conventional single surfactants, and for geminis 14-s-14, the shorter the spacer, the slower the exchange dynamic. It still has been found that the fast exchange between monomers in the bulk solution and in the micelles for gemini surfactant 12-2-12 at 25 degrees C occurs slowly at 5 degrees C on the NMR time scale.     

Palladium(0) and platinum(0) complexes of p,p′-diisopropyldibenzylideneacetone and their NMR spectra

The zerovalent diisopropyldibenzylideneacetone (dipdba, p-i-PrC₆H₄CHCHCOCHCH-p-i-PrC₆H₄) complexes M₂(dipdba)₃ (III, M = Pd; IV, M = Pt) have been prepared and their NMR spectra studied in solution. The ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra of III and IV show complex patterns which are consistent with the complexes having very asymmetric structures in solution. The metal atoms are π-bonded to the olefins and the frameworks are stereochemically rigid over the temperature range ?90°C to +60°C on the NMR time scale. The ¹H spectra show the aryl groups to be rotating at +25°C but to be frozen out on the NMR time scale at low temperatures.     

Conformational flexibility of a microcrystalline globular protein: order parameters by solid-state NMR spectroscopy

The majority of protein structures are determined in the crystalline state, yet few methods exist for the characterization of dynamics for crystalline biomolecules. Solid-state NMR can be used to probe detailed dynamic information in crystalline biomolecules. Recent advances in high-resolution solid-state NMR have enabled the site-specific assignment of (13)C and (15)N nuclei in proteins. With the use of multidimensional separated-local-field experiments, we report the backbone and side chain conformational dynamics of ubiquitin, a globular microcrystalline protein. The measurements of molecular conformational order parameters are based on heteronuclear dipolar couplings, and they are correlated to assigned chemical shifts, to obtain a global perspective on the sub-microsecond dynamics in microcrystalline ubiquitin. A total of 38 Calpha, 35 Cbeta and multiple side chain unique order parameters are collected, and they reveal the high mobility of ubiquitin in the microcrystalline state. In general the side chains show elevated motion in comparison with the backbone sites. The data are compared to solution NMR order parameter measurements on ubiquitin. The SSNMR measurements are sensitive to motions on a broader time scale (low microsecond and faster) than solution NMR measurements (low nanosecond and faster), and the SSNMR order parameters are generally lower than the corresponding solution values. Unlike solution NMR relaxation-based order parameters, order parameters for (13)C(1)H(2) spin systems are readily measured from the powder line shape data. These results illustrate the potential for detailed, extensive, and site-specific dynamic studies of biopolymers by solid-state NMR.     

CF3 Rotation in 3-(Trifluoromethyl)phenanthrene: Solid State 19F and 1H NMR relaxation and Bloch-Wangsness-Redfield theory

We have observed and modeled the 1H and 19F solid-state nuclear spin relaxation process in polycrystalline 3-(trifluoromethyl)phenanthrene. The relaxation rates for the two spin species were observed from 85 to 300 K at the low NMR frequencies of omega/2pi = 22.5 and 53.0 MHz where CF3 rotation, characterized by a mean time tau between hops, is the only motion on the NMR time scale. All motional time scales (omegatau < 1, omegatau approximately 1, and omegatau > 1) are observed. The 1H spins are immobile on the NMR time scale but are coupled to the 19F spins via the unlike-spin dipole-dipole interaction. The temperature dependence of the observed relaxation rates (the relaxation is biexponential) shows considerable structure and a thorough analysis of Bloch-Wangsness-Redfield theory for this coupled spin system is provided. The activation energy for CF3 rotation is 11.5 +/- 0.7 kJ/mol, in excellent agreement with the calculation in a 13-molecule cluster provided in the companion paper where the crystal structure is reported and detailed ab initio electronic structure calculations are performed [Wang, X.; Mallory F. B.; Mallory, C. W; Beckmann, P. A.; Rheingold, A. L.; Francl, M. M J. Phys. Chem. A 2006, 110, 3954].     

A solid-state NMR study of hydrogen-bonding networks and ion dynamics in benzimidazole salts

On the basis of our solid-state NMR characterization of dynamics in two model salts, we draw the analogy to the fuel cell membrane candidate, phosphoric acid-doped poly(benzimidazole), and conclude that phosphate anion dynamics contribute to long-range proton transport, whereas the mobility of the polymer itself is not a contributing factor. This is contrasted with emerging membrane candidates, which rely on fully covalently bonded acid donors and acceptors, and target high-temperature PEM fuel cell operation in the absence of liquid electrolyte. The hydrogen-bonding structures of benzimidazolium phosphate and benzimidazolium methane phosphonate are established using X-ray diffraction paired with solid-state 1H DQF NMR. By comparing the dynamics of the phosphate and methane phosphonate anions with the dynamics of imidazolium and benzimidazolium cations, the relative importance of these processes in proton transport is determined. The imidazolium cation is known to undergo two-site ring reorientation on the millisecond time scale. In contrast, it is shown here that the benzimidazolium rings are immobile in analogous salts, on a time scale extending into the tens of seconds. Therefore, we look to the phosphate anions and demonstrate that the time scale of tetrahedral reorientation is comparably fast (50 ms). Moreover, the 31P CODEX NMR data clearly indicate a four-site jump process. In contrast, the methane phosphonate undergoes a three-site jump on a slower time scale (75 ms). A mechanism for a zigzag pathway of proton transport through the phosphonate salt crystallites is developed based on the 31P CODEX and 1H variable-temperature MAS NMR data.     

Translational motion inside self-assembled encapsulation complexes

The motion of guests inside a cylindrical self-assembled host is studied through NMR techniques. Small molecules encapsulated alone, such as the gas molecules cyclopropane and butane, are found to exchange locations slowly but measurably on the NMR time scale using 2D techniques. These molecules can move past one another while still inside the capsule. When gases are coencapsulated with longer flexible molecules such as alkanes, less motion is apparent yet these can still slip by one another and folding of the alkanes also can be detected. Activation barriers for these processes are in the range of 15-17 kcal/mol.     

Synthesis and the influence of intramolecular H-bonding in NMR spectra of novel analogs of dendrodoine: Diaminothiazoloylbenzothiazoles

2-(4-Amino-2-arylaminothiazol-5-oyl)benzothiazoles, as the novel analogs of the cytotoxic marine alkaloid dendrodoine, are synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, NMR and mass spectral data. The thiourea derivatives provide four ring atoms for the thiazole ring construction and thus act as [C–N–C–S] synthons. The remaining carbon of the thiazole is sourced from 2-(2-bromoacetyl)benzothiazoles. This [4+1] heterocyclization reaction is adopted for the synthesis of novel benzothiazole derivatives. The presence of two signals in the ¹H NMR spectrum arising from the NH₂ hydrogens shows that the two hydrogens are not exchanging rapidly on the chemical shift time scale and they are in two different chemical environments due to H-bonding.     

Nonexponential polymer segmental motion in the presence and absence of ions: 2H NMR multitime correlation functions for polymer electrolytes poly(propylene glycol)-LiClO4

The authors measure 2H NMR multitime correlation functions to investigate the segmental motion of poly(propylene glycol) containing various amounts of the salt LiClO4. 2H NMR two-time correlation functions indicate that addition of salt affects not only the time scale of the segmental motion, but also the degree of the nonexponential relaxation behavior. To quantify the origin of the nonexponential segmental motion, the authors analyze 2H NMR three-time correlation functions. In general, nonexponential relaxation can result from homogeneous dynamics, i.e., intrinsic nonexponentiality, and from heterogeneous dynamics, i.e., existence of a distribution of correlation times G(ln tau). For the studied high and low salt concentrations, including neat poly(propylene glycol), the analysis shows that both homogeneous and heterogeneous contributions are important. 2H NMR four-time correlation functions allow the authors to measure the lifetime of the dynamical heterogeneities. For the studied salt concentrations, the rate exchange occurs on the same time scale as the segmental motion, indicating short-lived dynamical heterogeneities. To arrive at these results, the authors reconsider the interpretation of (2)H NMR three-time correlation functions. Results of analytical calculations and computer simulations show that it is necessary to extend the previous way of analysis so as to include effects due to correlated back-and-forth jumps.     

NMR study of intramolecular processes in EDTA metal complexes

The kinetics of the intramolecular acetate scramblings occurring in thirteen ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) complexes has been studied by analyzing the modification observed in the NMR spectra of their D₂O solutions, when temperature is changed. The experimental results indicate that the Δ, Λ conversion is a fast process on the NMR time scale for each of the complexes considered, whereas the nitrogen inversion occurs at an observable rate in the case of the Cd(II), In(III), Sc(III), Y(III) and Lu(III) chelates and is too rapid in the other complexes. Computer analysis of the experimental NMR spectra has been performed in order to obtain enthalpy, entropy and free energy of activation concerning the N inversion of the cited chelates. Twist and bond breaking mechanisms are discussed with reference to both scrambling processes.     

Konformative Beweglichkeit Flexibler Ringsysteme–XI Untersuchungen mit Hilfe der Protonenresonanzspektroskopie Ringinversion bei Methyl- und Alkoxylcyclohexanen

The ring inversion of cyclohexane derivatives with one, two and three pairs of geminal methyl and alkoxyl groups has been studied by investigations of the temperature dependence of the NMR signals. The rate of the inversion depends on the number and the relative positions of the ligand pairs as well as on their size. A single pair of geminal ligands has only a very slight effect on the inversion rate. Two ligand pairs hinder the inversion when they are in the 1 and 4 positions relative to one another, but facilitate it when they are in the 1 and 3 positions. In both cases the effects are smaller with methoxyl groups than with methyl groups. Three ligand pairs significantly increase the inversion rate when they are in the 1, 3 and 5 positions, but reduce it when they are in the 1, 2 and 4 positions. The effect of 1,3 substituents is attributed to an increase in the energy of the ground state of the molecules whereas the effect of 1,4 arranged substituents is attributed to an increase in the energy of the transition state of the chair inversion.     

Aluminium‐27 NMR investigation of the influence of cation type on aluminosilicate solutions

The effects of tetraalkylammonium (TAA) and alkali metal cations on the equilibrium distribution of aluminosilicate oligomers in aqueous alkaline aluminosilicate solutions were investigated using ²⁷Al NMR spectra and their evolution with time. The results indicate that there are no differences in the initial equilibria involving solutions containing both TAA and alkali metal cations on the one hand and those containing alkali metal cations only. However, re‐equilibration of the aluminosilicate species for TAA/Na aluminosilicates is slow (usually not detectable on the time‐scale of the experiments), whereas when purely alkali metal cations are used, the spectra alter over a period of ～1 h, such that resolution is degraded substantially. In the latter case, it is suggested that the anions aggregate into larger systems, although the solutions are still clear. ²⁹Si NMR evidence for slow equilibration of silicate and aluminosilicate solutions at higher concentrations is also discussed. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Structural and dynamic aspects of hydrogen-bonded complexes and inclusion compounds containing alpha,omega-dicyanoalkanes and urea, investigated by solid-state 13C and 2H NMR techniques

Solid-state 13C NMR and 2H NMR techniques have been used to investigate structural and dynamic properties of the 1,4-dicyanobutane/urea and 1,5-dicyanopentane/urea 1:1 hydrogen-bonded complexes and the 1,6-dicyanohexane/urea inclusion compound. The pure crystalline phase of urea has also been investigated. The 13C NMR studies have focused on 13C chemical shift anisotropy and second-order quadrupolar effects (arising from 13C-14N interaction) for the urea molecules and the cyano groups of the alpha,omega-dicyanoalkanes. Parameters describing these interactions are derived and are discussed in relation to the known structural properties of these materials. Comparison of 13C chemical shift anisotropies of the cyano carbons and rates of 13C dipolar dephasing suggest that 1,4-dicyanobutane and 1,5-dicyanopentane are effectively static, whereas 1,6-dicyanohexane has greater mobility. 2H NMR line shape analysis for the 1,4-dicyanobutane/urea-d4 and 1,5-dicyanopentane/urea-d4 complexes indicates that the only motion of the urea molecules that is effective on the 2H NMR time scale is a rapid libration about the C=O bond over an angular range of about 26 degrees . For the 1,6-dicyanohexane/urea-d4 inclusion compound, the 2H NMR line shape is consistent with a motion comprising 180 degrees jumps about the C=O bond at rates that are intermediate on the 2H NMR time scale. In addition, rapid libration about the C=O bond also occurs over an angular range of about 20 degrees . The dynamic properties of the urea molecules in these materials are compared with those of urea molecules in other crystalline environments.