Determination of pKa values using 15N and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The case of apramycin

By comparison of pK^a values derived from ¹⁵N and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopies, the assignment of the ¹⁵N resonances of apramycin is completed. ¹³C NMR spectra appear to provide accurate pK_a determinations with this aminoglycoside. Hydroxylation adjacent to one of the basic nitrogens of apramycin appears to change the pK_a values of all five amines of the molecule.