Investigating the two inequivalent NH2(CH3)2 ions in [NH2(CH3)2]2CuCl4 using magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance

The structural change near the phase transition temperatures of [NH₂(CH₃)₂]₂CuCl₄ is discussed in terms of the chemical shifts and the spin-lattice relaxation times T_1ρ in the rotating frame for ¹H MAS NMR and ¹³C CP/MAS NMR. The ¹H T_1ρ undergoes molecular motion near the phase-transition temperature (T_C2 = 253 K). In addition, the two inequivalent [NH₂(CH₃)₂] (1) and [NH₂(CH₃)₂] (2) sites were distinguishable by the ¹³C chemical shift. And, the most significant change was observed at T_C2 for the ¹³C CP/MAS NMR spectrum; this temperature corresponds to a ferroelastic phase transition with different orientations.     

Physical properties of the nonlinear optical material Li2B4O7 studied by static NMR and MAS NMR

The mechanisms behind the nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of Li₂B₄O₇ are characterized by ⁷Li static nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and magic-angle spinning (MAS) NMR. Furthermore, the structural nature of 3-coordinate BO₃ and 4-coordinate BO₄ groups is also characterized by the same method. For ⁷Li and ¹¹B, the spin-lattice relaxation time T₁ in laboratory frame gradually decreases with increasing temperature, whereas the spin-lattice relaxation time T_1ρ in rotating frame, which differs from T₁, is nearly constant. In addition, the activation energies of ⁷Li and ¹¹B, which are obtained via the values of T₁ and T_1ρ, are also compared.     

Nuclear magnetic resonance study of the ferroelastic phase transition of order-disorder type in [N(C2H5)4]2CdCl4

This study uses nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques to examine the detailed changes in [N(C₂H₅)₄]₂CdCl₄ around its phase transition at the temperature T_C = 284 K. The chemical shifts and spin-lattice relaxation times in the rotating frame (T_1ρ) were determined from ¹H magic angle spinning (MAS) NMR and ¹³C cross-polarization (CP)/MAS NMR spectra. The two sets of inequivalent ¹H and ¹³C nuclei in CH₃ and CH₂ were distinguished. A ferroelastic phase transition was observed at T_C, without structural symmetry change. The phase transition is mainly attributed to the orientational ordering of the [N(C₂H₅)₄]⁺ cations, and the spectral splitting at low temperature is associated with different ferroelastic domains.     

Solid-state NMR study of biodegradable starch/polycaprolactone blends

Abundant literature exists on starch or modified starch blended with biodegradable polyesters to achieve good performance with cheap compost plastics. The level of miscibility in these blends is one of the most relevant parameters. In the present study, solid-state ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra, as well as carbon spin-lattice relaxation times T₁(C) and proton spin-lattice relaxation times T₁(H) and proton spin-lattice relaxation times in the rotating frame T_1ρ(H) of biodegradable starch (or starch formate)/polycaprolactone (PCL) (or polyester (PE) oligomers) blends and samples of the neat components were measured. From the T_1ρ(H) and T₁(H) relaxation times it follows that blends starch/PCL, starch/PE-oligomers and starch formate/PE-oligomers are phase separated even on the scale of 20-110 nm. On the contrary starch formate/PCL blend is phase separated on the scale 2.5-12 nm but homogeneously mixed on the scale 20-90 nm. Moreover, shorter T₁(C) and especially T_1ρ(H) values found for the starch or starch formate component in all these blends in comparison with neat samples show that molecular mobility of starch and starch formate segments is affected by blending. This indicates some miscibility also in phase separated blends which can happen in amorphous channels of starch.     

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.     

Solid‐State NMR Study on Relationships between Miscibility and Chain Mobility in Poly(4‐Methylstyrene)/Poly(Cyclohexyl Methacrylate) Blend

The phase behavior and motional mobility in binary blends of poly(4‐methylstyrene) (P4MS) and poly(cyclohexyl methacrylate) (PCHMA) have been examined by ¹³C solid state NMR techniques. The blend miscibility was studied by measuring the ¹H spin‐relaxation times in the laboratory frame (T₁^H) and in the rotating frame (T_1ρ^H), respectively. Although intermolecular spin diffusion contributes to the proton relaxations in accordance with homogeneity, T_1ρ^H data shows signs of in complete averaging. The T_1ρ^H relaxation behavior indicates the existence of heterogeneous do mains with shortest dimensions in the nanometer range, which is also sup ported by the intermolecular cross polarization experiments with variable contact times. In addition, according to the resuits of carbon T_1ρ relaxation time measurements, it is concluded that mixing is intimate some what enough to cause a reduction in local chain mobility for P4MS and vice versa for PCHMA.     

Solid state 15N NMR study of 15N enriched melamine-formaldehyde resins

Molecular dynamics and structure of uncured and cured melamine-formaldehyde resins isotopically ¹⁵N enriched at amine sites were studied by solid-state ¹⁵N nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Spectra recorded with direct (DP) and cross-polarization (CP) pulse sequences reflect two motionally different regions arising from similar chemical structures. DP spectra of uncured resins at higher temperatures have narrow lines and the detection of slightly different structural units is possible. With increasing crosslinking resonances broaden and overlap and the direct detection of individual signals in cured resins is not possible. On the basis of variable contact time, variable spinning speed, and interrupted decoupling experiments three protonated and one nonprotonated group of signals are identified in the CP spectra for all samples. Short polarization-transfer rates, T_NH, for nonprotonated nitrogen in uncured and lightly cured samples reveal more effective hydrogen bonding in viscous and rubber-like resins compared to the highly cured rigid resins. The rigid portions of the resins exhibit longer T₁ and short T_1ρ relaxation times, while the shorter T₁ times and longer T_1ρ times are associated with the more mobile portion of samples. ©1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

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.     

Investigation on the dynamics of aromatic polyesters by means of high resolution solid state CPMAS 13C NMR

The dynamics of amorphous aromatic polyesters consisting of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), poly(ethylene isophthalate) (PEI), and poly(ethylene 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylate) (PEN) has been investigated by means of solid state CPMAS ¹³C NMR. Proton T₂, ¹³C T_1ρ, and proton T_1ρ decays have been measured in particular, and the experimental data fitted to suitable model functions to determine best relaxation parameters. The fitting results show for proton T₂ and ¹³C T_1ρ measurements the presence of two components with different relaxation times and intensities, arising from different motional domains. The proton T_1ρ, on the contrary, shows a single component which limits the dimensions of the two regions to less than 20 Angstroms. The dependence of ¹³C T_1ρ values on two different irradiating field strengths (H₁ = 38 KHz, H₁ = 60 KHz) allowed the assignment of each component to relatively rigid and mobile regions. By comparing the three polymers we observe that PEN and PEI have a similar relaxation behavior, while a higher fraction of mobile components was found for PET. These differences are believed to arise mainly from local motions of the aromatic rings. The relaxation measurements have been evaluated to suggest a correspondence to O₂ and CO₂ gas permeabilities in PET, PEI, and PEN. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 36: 1557–1566, 1998     

High-resolution solid-state 13C NMR study of ethylcellulose films

Ethylcellulose films cast from concentrated solutions of chloroform, benzene, and carbon tetrachloride were subjected to the NMR relaxation measurements including ¹H spin-lattice relaxation time (T_1H), rotating-frame ¹H spin-lattice relaxation time (T_1ρH), and ¹³C spin-lattice relaxation time (T_1C). The values of T_1ρH for carbons in the glucose units of ethyl-cellulose were of the same order of magnitude as those reported for the crystalline and noncrystalline regions of ramie cellulose. The values of T_1C for unsubstituted C2, C3 carbons were smaller than those for the corresponding carbons in the noncrystalline region of native celluloses. The T_1C values for unsubstituted C2, C3, and substituted C6 carbons showed a small but definite dependence on the solvent from which the films were cast. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Elucidating structure and dynamics of crystalline α-zirconium phosphates intercalated with water and methanol by multinuclear solid-state MAS NMR: A comprehensive NMR approach

Solid-state NMR experiments on ²H, ³¹P, ¹³C, and ¹H nuclei, including ³¹P T₁, ¹H T₁, and ¹H T_1ρ measurements, as well as on the kinetics of proton-phosphorus cross-polarization have been performed to characterize the crystalline and amorphous α-zirconium phosphates, which were intercalated with D₂O and/or CD₃OD. The ¹³C{¹H} CP MAS NMR experiment performed for compound 1-CD ₃ OD (Zr (HPO₄)₂ ^. 0.2CD₃OD) with carbon cross-polarization via protons of phosphate groups has provided a prove that the methanol was intercalated into the interlayer spaces of this compound. The variable-temperature ²H solid-echo MAS NMR spectra of intercalated compounds demonstrated that the methanol molecules, in contrast to the mobile water, were immobile, keeping, however, free CD₃ rotations around the C₃-axis. It has been demonstrated that the intercalated species, D₂O and CD₃OD, do not affect the high-frequency motions of the phosphate groups. By utilizing local structural models that satisfy the constraints of the experimental data, it has been suggested that the immobile methanol molecules are located in the cavity between two neighboring layers of the zirconium phosphates. Thus, the present work illustrates the reliable criteria in a comprehensive NMR approach to structural and dynamic studies of such systems.     

Layered metal(IV) phosphonate materials: Solid‐state 1H, 13C, 31P NMR spectra and NMR relaxation

Multinuclear solid‐state NMR and powder X‐ray diffraction data collected for phosphonate materials Zr(O₃PC₆H₄PO₃) · 3.6H₂O and Sn(O₃PC₆H₄PO₃)_0.85(O₃POH)_0.30 · 3.09H₂O have resulted in the layered structure, where the phosphonic acids cross‐link the layers. The main structural motif (the 111 connectivity in the PO₃ group) has been established by determination of chemical shift anisotropy parameters for phosphorus nuclei in the phosphonate groups. An analysis of the variable‐temperature ³¹P T₁ measurements and the shapes of the phosphorus resonances in the ³¹P static NMR spectra have resulted in the dipolar mechanism of the phosphorus spin‐lattice relaxation, where the rotating phenylene rings reorient dipolar vectors P^…H as a driving force of the relaxation process. It has been found that water protons do not affect the ³¹P T₁ times. The activation energy of the phenylene rotation in both compounds has been determined as low as 12.5 kJ/mol. The interpretation of the phosphorus relaxation data has been independently confirmed by the measurements of ¹H T₁ times for protons of the phenylene rings.     

Structure,dynamics and interactions in polymer systems as studied by NMR spectroscopy

The possibilities of NMR spectroscopy in studies of interactions in polymer systems are demonstrated on the example of two types of macromolecular complexes: (i) By measuring ¹H NMR high resolution line intensities, the formation of ordered associated structures of syndiotactic (s) poly(methyl methacrylate)(PMMA) in mixed solvents was quantitatively characterized. The obtained results permit us to assume that the mechanism by which the solvent affects self-association of s-PMMA involves specific interactions of the solvent molecules with PMMA units. Solid state high resolution ¹³C NMR spectra of associated s-PMMA gels were also measured and compared with the spectra of a solid s-PMMA sample. (ii) By using ¹³C solid state NMR spectroscopy, the differences in the structure of the amorphous and crystalline phases in pure poly(ethylene oxide) and its complexes with p-dichlorobenzene or p-nitrophenol were characterized. Prounounced differences also in the dynamic structure of the crystalline phase in these systems are indicated by the relaxation times T₁(C), T_1ρ(C) and T_1ρ(H).     

NMR study of molecular reorientations in NH4H2AsO4

Zeeman (T_1Z) and dipolar (T_1D) spin-lattice relaxation times of protons in NH₄H₂AsO₄ were measured as a function of temperature. The existence of a slow motion (τ ≈ 10^?3 see) is established, which is most probably a low frequency hindered reorientation of H₂AsO₄ groups. This motion is slowed down below the Curie point T_c. A sharp increase of the dipolar relaxation rate above T = 314°K indicates the possibility of a new high temperature phase transition in this compound.     

The effects of molecular orientation on the physical aging and mobility of polycarbonate—solid state NMR and dynamic mechanical analysis

Solid‐state NMR and dynamic mechanical (DMA) measurements were performed on a series of uniaxially hot‐drawn bisphenol‐A polycarbonate samples in order to determine the effects of stretching on the structure, mobility, and local orientation environment. Proton spin‐lattice relaxation times, ¹H T_1ρ, for the phenylene carbon protons were fitted to a biexponential decay function, and both the long and short relaxation times initially increased with stretching. Intensity data indicated an increase in the number of short relaxation time protons and a decrease in the number of long relaxation protons with orientation. Similarly, DMA spectra showed that the β‐relaxation strength also increased with drawing, which implied an increase in the number of localized segmental relaxations. It is theorized that the long and short ¹H T_1ρ relate to protons within tightly packed “cooperative domains,” and to those with greater localized free‐volume, respectively. Stretching is known to distort the free‐volume distribution, causing a decrease in the mean free‐volume but an increase in the number of larger, more elliptical holes. This is expected to cause a decrease in the α‐transition mobility (due to larger cooperative domains) and an increase in the β‐mobility (due to the increase in the number of β‐relaxing segments associated with the larger free‐volume holes). These predictions are consistent with results recently reported by Shelby and Wilkes on the physical aging and creep behavior of these samples (M. D. Shelby & G. L. Wilkes, Polymer 1998, 39, 6767; M. D. Shelby & G. L. Wilkes, J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 1998, 36, 2111). © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 39: 32–46, 2001     

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.     

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.     

Complete NMR analysis of oxytocin in phosphate buffer

Complete NMR analysis of oxytocin (OXT) in phosphate buffer was elucidated by one‐dimensional (1D)‐ and two‐dimensional (2D)‐NMR techniques, which involve the assignment of peptide amide NH protons and carbamoyl NH₂ protons. The ¹H? ¹⁵N correlation of seven amide NH protons and three carbamoyl NH₂ protons were also shown by HSQC NMR of OXT without ¹⁵N enrichment. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

High-Resolution Solid-State NMR Characterization of Morphology in Annealed Polylactic Acid

Single-pulse ¹³C NMR spectra and spin-lattice relaxation times T₁(¹H), detected indirectly via ¹³C carbons, and T₁(¹³C) were measured at 31°C for virgin pelletized and annealed polylactic acid (PLA) samples using the magic-angle spinning technique. The structural relaxation resulting in more regular crystals with narrower conformation distribution and increase in the lamellae thickness and crystallinity brought about by annealing at 100°C was deduced from the narrowing of the ¹³C NMR lines and proton spin-lattice relaxation times T₁(¹H). The spin-lattice relaxation times T₁(¹³C) related to the respective carbons of the α-polymorph of PLA are also discussed in the study.     

Kinetics from indirectly detected hyperpolarized NMR spectroscopy by using spatially selective coherence transfers

An important recent development in NMR spectroscopy is the advent of ex situ dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) approaches, which are capable of yielding liquid‐state sensitivities that exceed considerably those afforded by the highest‐field spectrometers. This increase in sensitivity has triggered new research avenues, particularly concerning the in vivo monitoring of metabolism and disease by NMR spectroscopy. So far such gains have mainly materialized for experiments that focus on nonprotonated, low‐γ nuclei; targets favored by relatively long relaxation times T₁, which enable them to withstand the transfer from the cryogenic hyperpolarizer to the reacting centers of interest. Recent studies have also shown that transferring this hyperpolarization to protons by indirectly detected methods could successfully give rise to ¹H NMR spectra of hyperpolarized compounds with a high sensitivity. The present study demonstrates that, when merged with spatially encoded methods, indirectly detected ¹H NMR spectroscopy can also be exploited as time‐resolved hyperpolarized spectroscopy. A methodology is thus introduced that can successfully deliver a series of hyperpolarized ¹H NMR spectra over a minutes‐long timescale. The principles and opportunities presented by this approach are exemplified by following the in vitro phosphorylation of choline by choline kinase, a potential metabolic marker of cancer; and by tracking acetylcholine’s hydrolysis by acetylcholine esterase, an important enzyme partaking in synaptic transmission and neuronal degradation.