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.     

Natural abundance nitrogen-15 n.m.r. spectroscopy. Spin–lattice relaxation in organic compounds

The small negative magnetogyric ratio (γ) of the ¹⁵N nucleus decreases the efficiency of ¹⁵N? ¹H dipole-dipole relaxation to about 25% of that for an analogous ¹³C nucleus. This may lead to greater competition from other relaxation mechanisms in ¹⁵N n.m.r. and consequent partial or total quenching of the negative nuclear Overhauser effect (NOE). In unfavorable circumstances nulling of the ¹⁵N resonance can occur. Previous ¹⁵N relaxation studies have examined isotopically enriched, low molecular weight compounds. The present study examines several small to intermediate size organic compounds containing nitrogen at natural isotopic abundance. In contrast to some of the earlier studies, ¹⁵N? ¹H dipolar relaxation was found to be dominant for protonated nitrogen atoms, even for two tertiary nitrogens (the tertiary amine nitrogen in 1,2,3,4,6,7,12,12b-octahydroindolo[2,3-a] quinolizine and the oxime nitrogen in 3-methyl-2-pentanone ketoxime). The magnitude of the NOE and the moderate value of T₁ indicate effective dipolar relaxation from neighboring but not directly bonded protons in these cases. Nitro groups were found, as expected, to have predominant contributions from non-dipolar mechanisms, and in one case (2-methyl-2-nitro-1, 3-propanediol) signal nulling (NOE of η = ?1) was observed. The effect of paramagnetic impurities was demonstrated for ethanolamine, which contains a basic nitrogen. In this case T₁^DD(¹⁵N? ¹H) = 4·3 s; added Ni(acac)₂ at 1 × 10^?4 Molar reduced the ¹⁵N T₁ to 0·065 s and consequently the NOE to η = 0.     

Nitro derivatives of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-alkylbenzoaza-15-crown-5: synthesis,structures, and complexation with metal and ammonium cations

A number of N-alkylnitrobenzoaza-15-crown-5 with the macrocycle N atom conjugated with the benzene ring were obtained. The structural and complexing properties of these compounds were compared with those of model nitrobenzo- and N-(4-nitrophenyl)aza-15-crown-5 using X-ray diffraction, ¹H NMR spectroscopy, and DFT calculations. The macrocyclic N atom of benzoazacrown ethers are characterized by a considerable contribution of the sp3-hybridized state and a pronounced pyramidal geometry; the crownlike conformation of the macrocycle is preorganized for cation binding, which facilitates complexation. The stability constants of the complexes of crown ethers with the NH₄ ⁺, EtNH₃ ⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, and Ba²⁺ ions were determined by 1H NMR titration in MeCN-d₃. The most stable complexes were obtained with alkaline-earth metal cations, which is due to the higher charge density at these cations. The characteristics of the complexing ability of N-alkylnitrobenzoaza-15-crown-5 toward alkaline earth metal cations are comparable with analogous characteristics of nitrobenzo-15-crown-5 and are much better than those of N-(4-nitrophenyl)aza-15-crown-5.     

Untersuchung der Komplexierung von Na+, K+, Ca2+ und Ba2+ mit einigen elektrisch neutralen Liganden durch Messung von 13C-chemischen Verschiebungen und Spin-Gitter-Relaxationszeiten

Investigation of the complexing of Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺ and Ba²⁺ with some uncharged ligands by ¹³C-chemical shift and spin-lattice relaxation time measurements The influence of Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺ and Ba²⁺ ions on ¹³C chemical shifts and on spin-lattice relaxation times of some electrically neutral ion carriers was investigated. In the solvents CD₃CN and CD₃OD and in presence of an excess of metal ions ligand 4 (see the Scheme) forms complexes of 1:1 stoichiometry. All four oxygen atoms of the ligand as well as solvent molecules take part in the coordination. In CDCl₃ as solvent, for all ions investigated except sodium, only 1:2 complexes (metal/ligand) were observed with 4 . Sodium ions form both 1:1 and 1:2 complexes in this solvent. In the 1:2 complexes of the investigated monovalent ions only one, in those of the divalent ions both amide carbonyl groups of ligand 4 take part in the coordination.     

Spectroscopic Characterization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N,N-bis</Emphasis>(2-{[(2,2-Dimethyl-1,3-Dioxolan-4-yl)Methyl]Amino}Ethyl) N′,N′-Dihydroxyethanediimidamide and Its Complexes

A new dioxime ligand, N,N-bis(2-{[(2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)methyl]amino} ethyl)N′,N′-dihydroxyethanediimidamide (H₂L), and its mononuclear complexes with Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺ are synthesized. H₂L forms transition metal complexes [Co(LH)₂(H₂O)₂] and [M(LH)₂] (M = Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺) with a metal : ligand ratio of 1 : 2. Complexes [M(H₂L)(Cl)₂] (Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺) have a metal : ligand ratio of 1 : 1. The mononuclear Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Cu²⁺ complexes indicate that the metal ions coordinate ligand through its two N atoms, as the most of dioximes. In the Co²⁺ complex, two water molecules and in the Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺ complexes two chloride ions are also coordinated to the metal ion. The structures of these compounds are identified by elemental analyses, IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, electronic spectra, magnetic susceptibility measurements, conductivity, and thermogravimetric analysis.__________From Koordinatsionnaya Khimiya, Vol. 31, No. 7, 2005, pp. 540–544.Original English Text Copyright © 2005 by Canpolat, Kaya.The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Stabilité dans le méthanol et propriétés thermodynamiques de transfert des cryptates de certains cations de transition et de métaux lourds

Stability in Methanol and Thermodynamic Transfer Properties of the Cryptates of some Transition Cations and Heavy Metals The nature and stability of the macrocyclic and macrobicyclic complexes of Ag⁺, Cd²⁺, and Pb²⁺ (Mⁿ⁺) with 21, 22, 211, 221 and 222 in anhydrous methanol 0.05M in Et₄N⁺ClO^?₄, at 25° (see Scheme) have been determined by potentiometry and spectrophotometry. Binuclear complexes M₂L²ⁿ⁺ have been observed in all cases, besides the mononuclear MLⁿ⁺ complexes. The macrobicyclic 1:1 complexes MLⁿ⁺ exhibit an important ‘cryptate effect’ with Mⁿ⁺=Ag⁺, Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺, but not with Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺; their stability is in all cases maximum with 221. The applicability to our results of the recent extrathermodynamic hypothesis involving MLⁿ⁺ cryptates is examined.     

Tautomeric Switching and Metal‐Cation Sensing of Ligand‐Equipped 4‐Hydroxy‐/4‐oxo‐1,4‐dihydroquinolines

Novel 4‐hydroxyquinoline (4HQ) based tautomeric switches are reported. 4HQs equipped with coordinative side arms (8‐arylimino and 3‐piperidin‐1‐ylmethyl groups) were synthesized to access O‐ or N‐selective chelation of Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺ ions by 4HQ. In the case of the monodentate arylimino group, O chelation of metal ions induces concomitant switching of phenol tautomer to the keto form in nonpolar or aprotic media. This change is accompanied by selective and highly sensitive fluorometric sensing of Zn²⁺ ions. In the case of the bidentate 8‐(quinolin‐8‐ylimino)methyl side arm, NMR studies in CD₃OD indicated that both Cd²⁺ and Zn²⁺ ions afford N chelation for 4HQ, coexisting with tautomeric switching from quinolin‐4(1H)‐one to quinolin‐4‐olate. In corroboration, UV/Vis‐monitored metal‐ion titrations in toluene and methanol implied similar structural changes. Additionally, fluorescence measurements indicated that the metal‐triggered tautomeric switching is associated with compound signaling properties. The results are supported by DFT calculations at the B3LYP 6‐31G* level. Several X‐ray structures of metal‐free and metal‐chelating 4HQ are presented to support the solution studies.     

13C-NMR relaxation studies of alkali metal cryptate complexes

The ¹³C spin-lattice relaxation times (T₁'s) of cryptands [2.1.1], [2.2.1] and [2.2.2] as well as those of the corresponding cryptate complexes with Li⁺, Na⁺, and K⁺ in CDCl₃ and CH₃OH:D₂O (90:10) were measured and the results are interpreted in terms of molecular compression and desolvation effects.     

ESI‐MS studies of the non‐covalent interactions between biologically important metal ions and N‐sulfonylcytosine derivatives

The aim of this report is to present the electrospray ionization mass spectrometry results of the non‐covalent interaction of two biologically active ligands, N‐1 ‐ (p‐toluenesulfonyl)cytosine, 1‐TsC, 1 and N‐1 ‐ methanesulfonylcytosine, 1‐MsC, 2 and their Cu(II) complexes Cu(1‐TsC‐N3)₂Cl₂, 3 and Cu(1‐MsC‐N3)₂Cl₂ and 4 with biologically important cations: Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and Zn²⁺. The formation of various complex metal ions was observed. The alkali metals Na⁺ and K⁺ formed clusters because of electrostatic interactions. Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ salts produced the tris ligand and mixed ligand complexes. The interaction of Zn²⁺ with 1–4 produced monometal and dimetal Zn²⁺ complexes as a result of the affinity of Zn²⁺ ions toward both O and N atoms. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Terminal Diazirines Enable Reverse Polarization Transfer from 15N2 Singlets

Diazirine moieties are chemically stable and have been incorporated into biomolecules without impediment of biological activity. The ¹⁵N₂ labeled diazirines are appealing motifs for hyperpolarization supporting relaxation protected states with long‐lived lifetimes. The (‐CH¹⁵N₂) diazirine groups investigated here are analogues to methyl groups, which provides the opportunity to transfer polarization stored on a relaxation protected (‐CH¹⁵N₂) moiety to ¹H, thus combining the advantages of long lifetimes of ¹⁵N polarization with superior sensitivity of ¹H detection. Despite the proximity of ¹H to ¹⁵N nuclei in the diazirine moiety, ¹⁵N T₁ times of up to (4.6±0.4) min and singlet lifetimes T_s of up to (17.5±3.8) min are observed. Furthermore, we found terminal diazirines to support hyperpolarized ¹H₂ singlet states in CH₂ groups of chiral molecules. The singlet lifetime of ¹H singlets is up to (9.2±1.8) min, thus exceeding ¹H T₁ relaxation time (at 8.45 T) by a factor of ≈100.     

Effect of molecular motion and solvent interactions on nitrogen-15 relaxation in anilines

Dipolar relaxation of ¹⁵N in anilines and anilinium ions is influenced by overall motion of the molecule, by rotation about the aryl–-nitrogen bond, by inversion of the aniline nitrogen and by interactions of the NH₂ or NH₃⁺ group with the solvent. These factors are assessed by comparison of the ¹³C and ¹⁵N dipolar relaxation times as a function of para-substitution on the aryl ring. In the anilines (solvent CDCl₃), electron withdrawal brings about faster relative motion of the amine side-chain, contrary to expectation from consideration of C? N rotation but in agreement with the effects from nitrogen inversion. The ¹⁵N dipolar relaxation time correlates with the Hammett σ_p. For the anilinium ions (solvent Me₂SO-d₆), there is no correlation with σ_p and no qualitative relationship with either C? N rotation or N inversion. Nitrogen-15 relaxation, corrected for overall motion as judged by ring ¹³C relaxation, correlates with the inductive parameter σ_I. Electron withdrawal through induction reduces hydrogen bonding and increases side-chain mobility. For most of the anilines and for all of the anilinium ions, solvent interactions cause the nitrogen side-chain to be less mobile than the aryl ring. Under these circumstances, the Woessner approach cannot be used to calculate barriers. The hydrogen bond donor properties of the anilines are reduced in the absence of electron-donating substituents, and the first barriers to NH₂ rotation/inversion were calculated by this procedure: aniline in CDCl₃ 3.5 kcal/mol, p-chloroaniline in CDCl₃ 3.4 kcal/mol and p-nitroaniline in acetone 3.8 kcal/mol.     

Backbone dynamics of proteins studied by two-dimensional heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations

To investigate the backbone dynamics of proteins ¹⁵N longitudinal and transverse relaxation experiments combined with {¹H, ¹⁵N{ NOE measurements together with molecular dynamics simulations were carried out using ribonuclease T₁ and the complex of ribonuclease T₁ with 2′GMP as a model protein. The intensity decay of individual amide cross peaks in a series of (¹H, ¹⁵N)HSQC spectra with appropriate relaxation periods was fitted to a single exponential by using a simplex algorithm in order to obtain ¹⁵N T₁ and T₂ relaxation times. The relaxation times were analyzed in terms of the “model-free” approach introduced by Lipari and Szabo. In addition, a nanosecond molecular dynamics (MD ) simulation of ribonuclease T₁ and its 2′GMP complex in water was carried out. The angular reorientations of the backbone amide groups were classified with several coordinate frames following a transformation of NH vector trajectories. In this study, NH librations and backbone dihedral angle fluctuations were distinguished. The NH bond librations were found to be similar for all amides as characterized by correlation times of librational motions in a subpicosecond scale. The angular amplitudes of these motions were found to be about 10°–12° for out-of-plane displacements and 3°–5° for the in-plane displacement. The contributions from the much slower backbone dihedral angle fluctuations strongly depend on the secondary structure. The dependence of the amplitude of local motion on the residue location in the backbone is in good agreement with the results of NMR relaxation measurements and the X-ray data. The protein dynamics is characterized by a highly restricted local motion of those parts of the backbone with defined secondary structure as well as by a high flexibility in loop regions. Comparison of the MD and NMR data of the free liganded enzyme ribonuclease T₁ clearly indicates a restriction of the mobility within certain regions of the backbone upon inhibitor binding. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Structure and Magnetization Dynamics of Dy−Fe and Dy−Ru Bonded Complexes

We present an investigation of isostructural complexes that feature unsupported direct bonds between a formally trivalent lanthanide ion (Dy³⁺) and either a first‐row (Fe) or a second‐row (Ru) transition metal (TM) ion. The sterically rigid, yet not too bulky ligand PyCp₂^2? (PyCp₂^2?=[2,6‐(CH₂C₅H₃)₂C₅H₃N]^2?) facilitates the isolation and characterization of PyCp₂Dy?FeCp(CO)₂ ( 1 ; d(Dy–Fe)=2.884(2) Å) and PyCp₂Dy?RuCp(CO)₂ ( 2 ; d(Dy–Ru)=2.9508(5) Å). Computational and spectroscopic studies suggest strong TM→Dy bonding interactions. Both complexes exhibit field‐induced slow magnetic relaxation with effectively identical energy barriers to magnetization reversal. However, in going from Dy?Fe to Dy?Ru bonding, we observed faster magnetic relaxation at a given temperature and larger direct and Raman coefficients, which could be due to differences in the bonding and/or spin–phonon coupling contributions to magnetic relaxation.     

Luminescence of Eu3+ and Tb3+ Complexes of Two Macrobicyclic Ligands Derived from a Tetralactam Ring and a Chromophoric Antenna

Two macrobicyclic ligands derived from an 18‐membered tetralactam ring and 2,2′‐bipyridine or 2,6‐bis(pyrazol‐1‐yl)pyridine moieties, 1 and 2 , respectively, form stable complexes with Gd^III, Eu^III, and Tb^III ions in aqueous solution. The ligand‐based luminescence is retained in the Gd^III cryptates, whereas this radiative deactivation is quenched in the Eu^III and Tb^III cryptates by ligand‐to‐metal energy transfer, resulting in the usual metal‐centered emission spectra. Singlet‐ and triplet‐state energies, emission‐decay lifetimes, and luminescence yields were measured. [Tb⊂ 1 ]³⁺ cryptate shows a long luminescence lifetime (τ=1.12 ms) and a very high metal luminescence quantum yield (Φ=0.25) in comparison with those reported in the literature for Tb³⁺ complexes sensitized by a bipyridine chromophore. By comparison to [Ln⊂ 1 ]³⁺, [Ln⊂ 2 ]³⁺ presents markedly lower luminescence properties, due to worse interaction between the 2,6‐bis(pyrazol‐1‐yl)pyridine unit and the metal ion. Moreover, the luminescent metal and the triplet ligand energy levels of [Eu⊂ 2 ]³⁺ do not match. The effects of H₂O molecules coordinated to the metal centre and of thermally activated decay processes on nonradiative deactivation to the ground‐state are also reported.     

Extraction of metal ions (Fe<Superscript>3+</Superscript>, Co<Superscript>2+</Superscript>, Ni<Superscript>2+</Superscript>, Cu<Superscript>2+</Superscript> and Zn<Superscript>2+</Superscript>) using immobilized-polysiloxane iminobis(n-2-aminophenylacetamide) ligand system

A new insoluble solid functionalized ligand system bearing chelating ligand group of the general formula P-(CH₂)₃-N[CH₂CONH(C₆H₄)NH₂]₂, where P represents [Si–O] _n polysiloxane network, was prepared by the reaction of the immobilized diethyliminodiacetate polysiloxane ligand system, P-(CH₂)₃N(CH₂CO₂Et)₂ with 1,2-diaminobenzene in toluene. ¹³C CP-MAS NMR, XPS and FTIR results showed that most ethylacetate groups (–COOEt) were converted into the amide groups (–N–C=O). The new functionalized ligand system exhibits high capacity for extraction and removal of the metal ions (Fe³⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺) with efficiency of 95–97% after recovery from its primary metal complexes. This functionalized ligand system formed 1:1 metal to ligand complexes.     

13C and 15N spin–lattice relaxation and chemical shift studies of pentane-2,4-diamine

¹³C and ¹⁵N NMR chemical shift and spin–lattice relaxation data have been measured for both meso- and racemic-pentane-2,4-diamine. At high pH (12), relaxation is consistent with hindered rotation of the NH₂ group due, in part, to the formation of intramolecular hydrogen bonds. At low pH (2), relaxation is consistent with relatively unhindered rotation of the NH₃⁺ group. Rotational jump rates and barriers are reported, determined from the NT₁ ratios between ¹⁵N and ¹³C nuclei. In all cases, the ratios for the racemic diastereomer are higher than those of the meso compounds; this is interpreted in terms of conformationally more stable intramolecular hydrogen bond formation in the meso compound. Chemical shifts for the diastereomeric amines show that ¹⁵N shifts move downfield on protonation along with methyl and methylene carbons, while the methine carbon resonances move upfield.     

A Diruthenium‐Based Mixed Spin Complex Ru25+(S=1/2)‐CN‐Ru25+(S=3/2)

An unusual tetra‐nuclear linear cyanido‐bridged complex [Ru₂(μ‐ap)₄‐CN‐Ru₂(μ‐ap)₄](BPh₄) ( 1 ) (ap=2‐anilinopyridinate) has been synthesized and well characterized. The crystallographic data, magnetic measurement, IR, EPR and theoretical calculation results demonstrate that complex 1 is the first example of mixed spin Ru₂⁵⁺‐based complex with uncommon electronic configurations of S=1/2 for the cyanido‐C bound Ru₂⁵⁺ and S=3/2 for the cyanido‐N bound Ru₂⁵⁺. This phenomenon can be understood by the theoretical calculation results that from the precursor Ru₂(μ‐ap)₄(CN) (S=3/2) to complex 1 the energy gap between π* and δ* orbitals of the cyanido‐C bound Ru₂⁵⁺ core increases from 0.57 to 1.61 eV due to the enhancement of asymmetrical π back‐bonding effect, but that of the cyanido‐N bound Ru₂⁵⁺ core is essential identical (0.56 eV). Besides, the analysis of UV/Vis‐NIR spectra suggests that there exists metal to metal charge transfer (MMCT) from the cyanido‐N bound Ru₂⁵⁺ (S=3/2) to the cyanido‐C bound Ru₂⁵⁺ (S=1/2), supported by the TDDFT calculations.     

Diruthenium Complexes of p‐Benzoquinone–Imidazole Hybrid Ligands: Innocent or Noninnocent Behavior of the Quinone Moiety

After double deprotonation, 2,6‐diaryl‐p‐benzoquinonodiimidazoles (aryl=4‐tolyl ( I ) or 2‐pyridyl ( II )) were shown to bridge two [Ru(bpy)₂]²⁺ (bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine) complex fragments through the imidazolate N and p‐quinone O ( I → 1 ²⁺) or through the imidazolate N and pyridyl N donor atoms ( II → 2 ²⁺). Characterization by crystal structure analysis, ¹H/¹³C NMR spectroscopy, cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry, and spectroelectrochemistry (UV/Vis/NIR, IR, EPR) in combination with TD‐DFT calculations revealed surprisingly different electronic structures for redox systems 1 ⁿ and 2 ⁿ. Whereas 1 ²⁺ is reduced to a radical complex with considerable semiquinone character, the reduction of 2 ²⁺ with its exclusive N coordination exhibits little spin on the now redox‐innocent quinone moiety, compared with the electron uptake by the pyridyl–imidazolate chelating site. The first of two close‐lying oxidation processes occurs at the bridging heteroquinone ligand, whereas the second oxidation is partly ( 1 ⁴⁺) or predominantly ( 2 ⁴⁺) centered on the metal atoms.     

Nicotine,acetanilide and urea multi‐level 2H‐, 13C‐ and 15N‐abundance reference materials for continuous‐flow isotope ratio mass spectrometry

Accurate determinations of stable isotope ratios require a calibration using at least two reference materials with different isotopic compositions to anchor the isotopic scale and compensate for differences in machine slope. Ideally, the δ values of these reference materials should bracket the isotopic range of samples with unknown δ values. While the practice of analyzing two isotopically distinct reference materials is common for water (VSMOW‐SLAP) and carbonates (NBS 19 and L‐SVEC), the lack of widely available organic reference materials with distinct isotopic composition has hindered the practice when analyzing organic materials by elemental analysis/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (EA‐IRMS). At present only L‐glutamic acids USGS40 and USGS41 satisfy these requirements for δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N, with the limitation that L‐glutamic acid is not suitable for analysis by gas chromatography (GC). We describe the development and quality testing of (i) four nicotine laboratory reference materials for on‐line (i.e. continuous flow) hydrogen reductive gas chromatography‐isotope ratio mass‐spectrometry (GC‐IRMS), (ii) five nicotines for oxidative C, N gas chromatography‐combustion‐isotope ratio mass‐spectrometry (GC‐C‐IRMS, or GC‐IRMS), and (iii) also three acetanilide and three urea reference materials for on‐line oxidative EA‐IRMS for C and N. Isotopic off‐line calibration against international stable isotope measurement standards at Indiana University adhered to the ‘principle of identical treatment’. The new reference materials cover the following isotopic ranges: δ²H_nicotine ?162 to ?45‰, δ¹³C_nicotine ?30.05 to +7.72‰, δ¹⁵N_nicotine ?6.03 to +33.62‰; δ¹⁵N_acetanilide +1.18 to +40.57‰; δ¹³C_urea ?34.13 to +11.71‰, δ¹⁵N_urea +0.26 to +40.61‰ (recommended δ values refer to calibration with NBS 19, L‐SVEC, IAEA‐N‐1, and IAEA‐N‐2). Nicotines fill a gap as the first organic nitrogen stable isotope reference materials for GC‐IRMS that are available with different δ¹⁵N values. Comparative δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N on‐line EA‐IRMS data from 14 volunteering laboratories document the usefulness and reliability of acetanilides and ureas as EA‐IRMS reference materials. Published in 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.