Broadband polarization-transfer experiments for rotating solids

High-pressure synthesis and structural investigation of H3P8O8N9: a new phosphorus(V) oxonitride imide with an interrupted framework structure

The first crystalline phosphorus oxonitride imide H(3)P(8)O(8)N(9) (=P(8)O(8)N(6)(NH)(3)) has been synthesized under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions. To this end, a new, highly reactive phosphorus oxonitride imide precursor compound was prepared and treated at 12 GPa and 750 °C by using a multianvil assembly. H(3)P(8)O(8)N(9) was obtained as a colorless, microcrystalline solid. The crystal structure of H(3)P(8)O(8)N(9) was solved ab initio by powder X-ray diffraction analysis, applying the charge-flipping algorithm, and refined by the Rietveld method (C2/c (no. 15), a=1352.11(7), b=479.83(3), c=1820.42(9) pm, β=96.955(4)°, Z=4). H(3)P(8)O(8)N(9) exhibits a highly condensed (κ=0.47), 3D, but interrupted network that is composed of all-side vertex-sharing (Q(4)) and only threefold-linking (Q(3)) P(O,N)(4) tetrahedra in a Q(4)/Q(3) ratio of 3:1. The structure, which includes 4-ring assemblies as the smallest ring size, can be subdivided into alternating open-branched zweier double layers {oB,2(2)(∞)}[(2)P(3)(O,N)(7)] and layers containing pairwise-linked Q(3) tetrahedra parallel (001). Information on the hydrogen atoms in H(3)P(8)O(8)N(9) was obtained by 1D (1)H MAS, 2D homo- and heteronuclear (together with (31)P) correlation NMR spectroscopy, and a (1)H spin-diffusion experiment with a hard-pulse sequence designed for selective excitation of a single peak. Two hydrogen sites with a multiplicity ratio of 2:1 were identified and thus the formula of H(3)P(8)O(8)N(9) was unambiguously determined. The protons were assigned to Wyckoff positions 8f and 4e, the latter located within the Q(3) tetrahedra layers.

Characteristics of zero-quantum correlation spectroscopy in MAS NMR experiments

Zero-quantum coherence generation and reconversion in magic-angle spinning solid-state NMR is analyzed. Two methods are discussed based on implementations using symmetry-based pulse sequences that utilize either isotropic J couplings or dipolar couplings. In either case, the decoupling of abundant proton spins plays a crucial role for the efficiency of the zero-quantum generation. We present optimized sequences for measuring zero-quantum single-quantum correlation spectra in solids, achieving an efficiency of 50% in ubiquitin. The advantages and disadvantages of zero-quantum single-quantum over single-quantum single-quantum correlation spectroscopy are explored, and similarities and differences with double-quantum single-quantum correlation spectroscopy are discussed. Finally, possible application of zero-quantum single-quantum experiments to polypeptides, where it can lead to better spectral resolution is investigated using ubiquitin, where we find high efficiency and high selectivity, but also increased line widths in the MQ dimension.

Homonuclear dipolar recoupling techniques for structure determination in uniformly 13C-labeled proteins

In solid-state NMR magic angle spinning is often used to remove line broadening associated with anisotropic interactions, such as chemical shift anisotropy and dipolar couplings. Dipolar recoupling refers to sequences of pulses designed to reintroduce dipolar interactions that are otherwise averaged by magic angle spinning. One of the key applications of homonuclear (and heteronuclear) dipolar recoupling is for the purpose of protein structure determination. Recoupling experiments, originally designed for applications in spin-pair labeled samples, have been revised in recent years for applications in samples with extensive or uniform incorporation of isotopic labels. In these samples multiple internuclear distances can in principle be probed simultaneously, but the dipolar truncation effects (i.e. attenuation of the effects of weak couplings by strong ones) circumvent such measurements. In this article we review some of the recent developments in homonuclear recoupling methods that allow overcoming this problem.

Double-quantum NMR spectroscopy of 31P species submitted to very large CSAs

We introduce an original pulse sequence, BR2(2)(1)(taupitau), which is a block super-cycled R2(2)(1) sequence employing as basic element a pi pulse sandwiched by 'window' intervals. This homonuclear dipolar recoupling method allows the efficient excitation of double-quantum coherences between spin-1/2 nuclei submitted to very large chemical shift anisotropy. We demonstrate that this technique can be employed in double-quantum<-->single-quantum (31)P homonuclear correlation experiment at high magnetic field (B(0)>or=14 T) and high MAS frequencies (nu(R)>or=30 kHz). The performances of BR2(2)(1)(taupitau) are compared to those of the double-quantum recoupling methods, such as BABA and bracketed fp-RFDR, which were already employed at fast MAS rates. The BR2(2)(1)(taupitau) sequence displays a higher robustness to CSA and offset than the other existing techniques.

ICMRBS founder's medal 2006: biological solid-state NMR, methods and applications

Solid-state NMR (ssNMR) provides increasing possibilities to study structure and dynamics of biomolecular systems. Our group has been interested in developing ssNMR-based approaches that are applicable to biomolecules of increasing molecular size and complexity without the need of specific isotope-labelling. Methodological aspects ranging from spectral assignments to the indirect detection of proton-proton contacts in multi-dimensional ssNMR are discussed and applied to (membrane) protein complexes.

Studying Molecular 3D Structure and Dynamics by High-Resolution Solid-State NMR: Application to l-Tyrosine-Ethylester

A unified approach to the study of 3D conformation and molecular dynamics using magic-angle-spinning solid-state NMR is demonstrated on a uniformly 13C-labeled sample of L-tyrosine-ethylester.

Probing membrane protein orientation and structure using fast magic-angle-spinning solid-state NMR

One and two-dimensional solid-state NMR experiments are discussed that permit probing local structure and overall molecular conformation of membrane-embedded polypeptides under Magic Angle Spinning. The functional dependence of a series of anisotropic recoupling schemes is analyzed using theoretical and numerical methods. These studies lead to the construction of a set of polarization dephasing or transfer units that probe local backbone conformation and overall molecular orientation within the same NMR experiment. Experimental results are shown for a randomly oriented peptide and for two model membrane-peptides reconstituted into lipid bilayers and oriented on polymer films according to a method proposed by Bechinger et al.

Analysis of Proton−Proton Transfer Dynamics in Rotating Solids and Their Use for 3D Structure Determination

A detailed analysis of proton-proton-transfer dynamics under magic angle spinning NMR is presented. Results obtained on model compounds are evaluated under different experimental conditions and NMR mixing schemes. It is shown that the resulting buildup rates can be interpreted in terms of internuclear proton-proton distances provided that an appropriate theoretical description is chosen. As demonstrated in two test applications, these dependencies can be used in the context of a three-dimensional structure determination in the solid state.

Selective polarization inversion of protons in rotating solids

The selective inversion of lines under phase modulated Lee-Goldburg (PMLG) decoupling in MAS proton spectroscopy is demonstrated. Short pulses inserted between consecutive PMLG irradiation intervals selectively invert the polarization of an on-resonance line while sustaining a high resolution proton evolution. The pulse scheme is combined with windowed-PMLG detection to obtain a one-dimensional high resolution spectrum with one of the proton lines inverted. Initial preparation of the protons in selectively inverted states can be used to follow the flow of polarization during spin diffusion. Examples of proton-proton spin exchange in alanine and histidine are demonstrated. Selective inversion is also used in conjunction with proton carbon LG-cross-polarization to achieve carbon spectra with lines characterized by different polarization states.

MIL-50, an open-framework GaPO with a periodic pattern of small water ponds and dry rubidium atoms: a combined XRD, NMR, and computational study

A new fluorinated gallium phosphate, MIL-50, has been synthesized under mild hydrothermal conditions using 1,6-diaminohexane. The chemical formula of MIL-50 is Rb(2)Ga(9)(PO(4))(8)(HPO(4))(OH)F(6).2N(2)C(6)H(18).7H(2)O. The structure is a network of hexameric units of Ga(3)(PO(4))(3)F(2) and Ga(3)(PO(4))(2)(HPO(4))F(3) via corner sharing. It creates a three-dimensional open-framework delimiting 6- and 18-ring channels running along the c axis. The diprotonated 1,6-diaminohexane and water molecules are trapped within the 18-ring pores, whereas the rubidium cations reside in the 6-ring ones. A double quantum (31)P NMR experiment and partial charge calculations indicate that water molecules are present under the form of periodic small clusters, lowering the multiplicity of one phosphorus site, P3. Though water hops within the clusters, the motion leaves the water pattern periodic. Rubidium is so tightly embedded into the framework that water moving in the large 18-ring channels does not reach it, leaving it therefore dry. The crystal framework may be ascribed to the orthorhombic space group Cmc2(1) (n degrees 36), a = 32.1510(2), b = 17.2290(3), c = 10.2120(1) A. The periodic water pattern has a different symmetry than that of the framework. A method has been devised to superpose the two sublattices that coexist in the same unit cell in order to have full occupancy of each site and to perform Madelung summations. This original method is of general interest for most zeolitic materials exhibiting a different symmetry for the framework and the template sublattices.

Backbone and side chain assignment strategies for multiply labeled membrane peptides and proteins in the solid state

We demonstrate that the SPECIFIC CP technique can be used to obtain heteronuclear correlation (HETCOR) spectra of peptide backbones with greater efficiency than conventional HETCOR methods. We show that similar design principles can be employed to achieve selective homonuclear polarization transfer mediated through dipolar or scalar couplings. Both approaches are demonstrated in a tripeptide with uniform 15N and 13C labeling, and with uniform 15N labeling and natural abundance 13C. In other applications, the high efficiency of the heteronuclear SPECIFIC CP transfer allows discrimination of single amide signals in the 248-residue membrane protein bacteriorhodopsin (bR). In particular, variations are detected in the ordering of the Ala81-Arg82 peptide bond among the photocycle intermediates of bR and SPECIFIC CP is used to correlate 15N and 13C signals from the three Val-Pro peptide bonds.

Through-bond phosphorus-phosphorus connectivities in crystalline and disordered phosphates by solid-state NMR

2D 31P refocused INADEQUATE NMR experiments have been used to determine through-bond P-O-P connectivities in crystalline and disordered phosphates.

Structural constraints from proton-mediated rare-spin correlation spectroscopy in rotating solids

A novel solid-state NMR concept is introduced that allows for the detection of through-space proton-proton contacts in high spectral resolution. The proposed method not only can be utilized to infer sequential assignments and backbone or side chain conformation in solid-phase polypeptides, but it also provides information about the three-dimensional arrangement of the molecule of interest. As a result, the molecular structure can be studied without additional restrictions regarding sample labeling or magic angle spinning rates.

Homonuclear zero-quantum recoupling in fast magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance

Solid-state magic-angle-spinning NMR pulse sequences which implement zero-quantum homonuclear dipolar recoupling are designed with the assistance of symmetry theory. The pulse sequences are compensated on a short time scale by the use of composite pulses and on a longer time scale by the use of supercycles. (13)C dipolar recoupling is demonstrated in powdered organic solids at high spinning frequencies. The new sequences are compared to existing pulse sequences by means of numerical simulations. Experimental two-dimensional magnetization exchange spectra are shown for [U-(13)C]-L-tyrosine.

Improved narrowband dipolar recoupling for homonuclear distance measurements in rotating solids

Recovery of the magnetic dipolar interaction between nuclei bearing the same gyromagnetic ratio in rotating solids can be promoted by synchronous rf irradiation. Determination of the dipolar interaction strength can serve as a tool for structural elucidation in polycrystalline powders. Spinning frequency dependent narrow-band (nb) RFDR and SEDRA experiments are utilized as simple techniques for the determination of dipolar interactions between the nuclei in coupled homonuclear spin pairs. The magnetization exchange and coherence dephasing due to a fixed number of rotor-synchronously applied pi-pulses is monitored at spinning frequencies in the vicinity of the rotational resonance (R(2)) conditions. The powder nbRFDR and nbSEDRA decay curves of spin magnetizations and coherences, respectively, as a function of the spinning frequency can be measured and analyzed using simple rate equations providing a quantitative measure of the dipolar coupling. The effects of the phenomenological relaxation parameters in these rate equations are discussed and an improved methodology is suggested for analyzing nbRFDR data for small dipolar couplings. The distance between the labeled nuclei in the 1,3-(13)C(2)-hydroxybutyric acid molecule is rederived using existing nbRFDR results and the new simulation procedure. A nbSEDRA experiment has been performed successfully on a powder sample of singly labeled 1-(13)C-L-leucine measuring the dipolar interaction between the labeled carboxyl carbon and the natural abundant beta-carbon. Both narrowband techniques are employed for the determination of the nuclear distances between the side-chain carbons of leucine and its carbonyl carbon in a tripeptide Leu-Gly-Phe that is singly (13)C-labeled at the leucine carbonyl carbon position.

Biomolecular solid state NMR: advances in structural methodology and applications to peptide and protein fibrils

Solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods can provide atomic-level structural constraints on peptides and proteins in forms that are not amenable to characterization by other high-resolution structural techniques, owing to insolubility, high molecular weight, noncrystallinity, or other characteristics. Important examples include peptide and protein fibrils and membrane-bound peptides and proteins. Recent advances in solid state NMR methodology aimed at structural problems in biological systems are reviewed. The power of these methods is illustrated by experimental results on amyloid fibrils and other protein fibrils.

Adiabatic dipolar recoupling in solid-state NMR: the DREAM scheme

A theoretical treatment of the DREAM adiabatic homonuclear recoupling experiment is given using Floquet theory. An effective Hamiltonian is derived analytically and the time evolution of the density operator in the adiabatic limit is described. Shape cycles are proposed and characterized experimentally. Application to spin-pair filtering and as a mixing period in a 2D correlation experiment is explored and the experimental results are compared to theoretical predictions and exact numerical simulations.

Spin-1/2 and beyond: a perspective in solid state NMR spectroscopy

Novel applications of solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to the study of small molecules, synthetic polymers, biological systems, and inorganic materials continue at an accelerated rate. Instrumental to this uninterrupted expansion has been an improved understanding of the chemical physics underlying NMR. Such deeper understanding has led to novel forms of controlling the various components that make up the spin interactions, which have in turn redefined the analytical capabilities of solid state NMR measurements. This review presents a perspective on the basic phenomena and manipulations that have made this progress possible and describes the new opportunities and challenges that are being opened in the realms of spin-1/2 and quadrupole nuclei spectroscopies.

Backbone and side-chain 13C and 15N signal assignments of the alpha-spectrin SH3 domain by magic angle spinning solid-state NMR at 17.6 Tesla

The backbone and side-chain 13C and 15N signals of a solid 62-residue (u-13C,15N)-labelled protein containing the alpha-spectrin SH3 domain were assigned by two-dimensional (2D) magic angle spinning (MAS) 15N-13C and 13C-13C dipolar correlation spectroscopy at 17.6 T. The side-chain signal sets of the individual amino acids were identified by 2D 13C-13C proton-driven spin diffusion and dipolar recoupling experiments. Correlations to the respective backbone nitrogen signals were established by 2D NCACX (CX=any carbon atom) experiments, which contain a proton-nitrogen and a nitrogen-carbon cross-polarisation step followed by a carbon-carbon homonuclear transfer unit. Interresidue correlations leading to sequence-specific assignments were obtained from 2D NCOCX experiments. The assignment is nearly complete for the SH3 domain residues 7-61, while the signals of the N- and C-terminal residues 1-6 and 62, respectively, outside the domain boundaries are not detected in our MAS spectra. The resolution observed in these spectra raises expectations that receptor-bound protein ligands and slightly larger proteins (up to 20 kDa) can be readily assigned in the near future by using three-dimensional versions of the applied or analogous techniques.

(13)C chemical shift and (13)C-(14)N dipolar coupling tensors determined by (13)C rotary resonance solid-state NMR

This work explores the utility of simple rotary resonance experiments for the determination of the magnitude and orientation of (13)C chemical shift tensors relative to one or more (13)C--(14)N internuclear axes from (13)C magic-angle-spinning NMR experiments. The experiment relies on simultaneous recoupling of the anisotropic (13)C chemical shift and (13)C--(14)N dipole--dipole coupling interactions using 2D rotary resonance NMR with RF irradiation on the (13)C spins only. The method is demonstrated by experiments and numerical simulations for the (13)C(alpha) spins in powder samples of L-alanine and glycine with (13)C in natural abundance. To investigate the potential of the experiment for determination of relative/absolute tensor orientations and backbone dihedral angles in peptides, the influence from long-range dipolar coupling to sequential (14)N spins in a peptide chain ((14)N(i)--(13)C(alpha)(i)--(14)N(i+1) and (14)N(i+1)--(13)C'(i)--(14)N(i) three-spin systems) as well as residual quadrupolar-dipolar coupling cross-terms is analyzed numerically.

Fast MAS total through-bond correlation spectroscopy

Mixing sequences for total through-bond correlation spectroscopy in solids (TOBSY) were developed. The motivation is the design of broadband, effective, and robust sequences adapted for "fast" MAS. Possible sequences with the desired Hamiltonian (the homonuclear isotropic J interaction) were identified using lowest order average Hamiltonian theory. Numerical simulations as a function of the MAS frequency were then employed to further characterize the performance. An experimental TOBSY spectrum of a uniformly (13)C-labeled decapeptide at 20 kHz MAS was obtained using one of the new sequences. The spectrum allows us to assign the (13)C resonances to the respective spin systems.

SIMPSON: a general simulation program for solid-state NMR spectroscopy

A computer program for fast and accurate numerical simulation of solid-state NMR experiments is described. The program is designed to emulate a NMR spectrometer by letting the user specify high-level NMR concepts such as spin systems, nuclear spin interactions, RF irradiation, free precession, phase cycling, coherence-order filtering, and implicit/explicit acquisition. These elements are implemented using the Tcl scripting language to ensure a minimum of programming overhead and direct interpretation without the need for compilation, while maintaining the flexibility of a full-featured programming language. Basically, there are no intrinsic limitations to the number of spins, types of interactions, sample conditions (static or spinning, powders, uniaxially oriented molecules, single crystals, or solutions), and the complexity or number of spectral dimensions for the pulse sequence. The applicability ranges from simple 1D experiments to advanced multiple-pulse and multiple-dimensional experiments, series of simulations, parameter scans, complex data manipulation/visualization, and iterative fitting of simulated to experimental spectra. A major effort has been devoted to optimizing the computation speed using state-of-the-art algorithms for the time-consuming parts of the calculations implemented in the core of the program using the C programming language. Modification and maintenance of the program are facilitated by releasing the program as open source software (General Public License) currently at http://nmr.imsb.au.dk. The general features of the program are demonstrated by numerical simulations of various aspects for REDOR, rotational resonance, DRAMA, DRAWS, HORROR, C7, TEDOR, POST-C7, CW decoupling, TPPM, F-SLG, SLF, SEMA-CP, PISEMA, RFDR, QCPMG-MAS, and MQ-MAS experiments.

Spinning-frequency-dependent narrowband RF-driven dipolar recoupling

Dipolar recoupling techniques of homonuclear spin pairs are commonly used for distance or orientation measurements in solids. Accurate measurements are interfered with by broadening mechanisms. In this publication narrowband RF-driven dipolar recoupling magnetization exchange experiments are performed as a function of the spinning frequency to reduce the effect of zero-quantum T(2) relaxation. To enhance the exchange of magnetization between the coupled spins, a fixed number of rotor-synchronous pi-pulses are applied at spinning frequencies approaching the rotational resonance (R(2)) conditions. The analysis of the powder averaged dipolar decay curves of the spin magnetizations as a function of the spinning frequency provides a quantitative measure of the dipolar coupling. An effective Hamiltonian for this experiment is derived, taking into account all chemical shift parameters of the spins. The length of the nbRFDR mixing time and the number of rotor cycles per pi-pulse are optimized by numerical simulations for sensitive probing of the dipolar coupling strength. The zero-quantum T(2) relaxation time can easily be taken into account in the data analysis, because the overall exchange time is almost constant in these experiments. Spinning-frequency-dependent nbRFDR experiments near the m = 1 and m = 2 R(2) condition are shown for doubly (13)C-labeled hydroxybutyric acid. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.

Double-quantum filtration under rotational-resonance conditions: numerical simulations and experimental results

The dependence of the performance of a recently introduced pulse sequence to achieve double-quantum excitation under the n = 1 rotational-resonance condition (T. Karlsson, M. Eden, H. Luthman, and M. H. Levitt, 2000, J. Magn. Reson. 145, 95-107) on different spin-system properties is investigated by means of numerical simulations and (13)C MAS NMR experiments. For spin systems where chemical shielding anisotropies amount to only an insignificant fraction of the isotropic chemical shielding difference, high efficiencies are found for large and small dipolar coupling interactions. In the presence of significant chemical shielding anisotropies the overall efficiencies decrease and become strongly dependent on the duration of the excitation period. It is demonstrated that those spin-system parameters which are sensitively encoded in the lineshapes of a conventional n = 1 rotational-resonance spectrum are similarly sensitively encoded in the corresponding rotational-resonance double-quantum-filtered lineshapes and may be quantitatively recovered by iterative lineshape-fitting approaches. In certain favorable circumstances, the in-built selectivity of the rotational-resonance double-quantum-filtration approach permits successful application of the experiment on spin systems with more than two spins. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.

Through-bond connectivity in solids by continuous-wave spin lock

A simple two-dimensional correlation experiment that enables determination of through-bond connectivity in the solid state is described. The experiment is performed under fast magic angle spinning (MAS) conditions. After the initial pi/2 pulse, the magnetization develops freely under the MAS Hamiltonian. The t1-period is followed by a strong spin locking pulse used as mixing period. The dipolar coupling is averaged out by magic angle spinning, and the chemical shifts and r.f.-offsets are scaled by the applied spin locking field. Hence, for strong locking conditions, the isotropic J-coupling is the dominant interaction. The mixing Hamiltonian is thus identical to the well-known TOCSY-Hamiltonian, resulting in a net through-bond magnetization transfer. The mixing-time dependence of the exchange rates is investigated. Applications to crystalline P4S7 and MgP4O11 are shown.

Sensitivity enhancement in solid state (15)N NMR by indirect detection with high-speed magic angle spinning

Enhancement of sensitivity in solid state (15)N NMR by indirect detection through (1)H NMR signals under high-speed magic angle spinning and high-field conditions is demonstrated experimentally on two (15)N-labeled peptides, polycrystalline AlaGlyGly and the helix-forming, 17-residue peptide MB(i + 4)EK in lyophilized form. Sensitivity enhancement factors ranging from 2.0 to 3.2 are observed experimentally, depending on the (15)N and (1)H linewidths and polarization transfer efficiencies. The (1)H-detected two-dimensional (1)H/(15)N correlation spectrum of AlaGlyGly illustrates the possibility of increased spectral resolution and resonance assignments in indirectly detected experiments, in addition to the sensitivity enhancement.

The accuracy of distance measurements in solid-state NMR

The accuracy with which distances can be measured using dipolar recoupling experiments in solid-state NMR is investigated. The relative precision of experiments in a three spin system versus an isolated spin pair is found to depend very strongly on the nature of the coupling Hamiltonian. The accuracy of distances measured in even the simplified three spin system is seen to be very poor for existing homonuclear recoupling Hamiltonians. This suggests that it would be difficult to exploit broadband homonuclear recoupling to measure geometrical information reliably in complex spin systems. These conclusions apply equally to both single-crystal studies and powder samples. In contrast, the presence of additional spins has marginal impact on the accuracy when the coupling Hamiltonians commute with each other, as in the case of heteronuclear recoupling. The possibility of creating such a Hamiltonian for homonuclear recoupling using a suitable rotor-synchronized pulse sequence is discussed.

Multiple-quantum relaxation in the magic-angle-spinning NMR of 13C spin pairs

We determine the decay rate constants of zero-, double- and single-quantum coherence for 13C spin pairs in magic-angle-spinning solid-state NMR. The double-quantum coherence is excited by a C7 pulse sequence and converted into zero-quantum coherence by a frequency-selective pair of pi/2 pulses. The zero-quantum coherence is reconverted into observable magnetization by a second pair of pi/2 pulses followed by a second C7 sequence. In a magnetically dilute system where the 13C-13C distance is 0.296 nm, the relaxation rate constants are consistent with a model of uncorrelated random fields at the two labeled 13C sites. In a fully-labelled system with a short 13C-13C distance of 0.153 nm, the measured rate constants are inconsistent with the uncorrelated random field model.

Off-angle correlation spectroscopy applied to spin-1/2 and quadrupolar nuclei

A two-dimensional correlation experiment is described, in which homonuclear dipolar couplings are used to realize through-space magnetization exchange on spin-1/2 (31P) and on quadrupolar nuclei (23Na and 11B). In the detection period, Magic Angle Spinning is applied to enhance resolution, and the dipole couplings are re-introduced in the mixing period by spinning off the Magic Angle. The dependency of the exchange rates on the mixing time and the spinning angle is investigated. The influence of strong spin-locking during mixing is discussed, and shown in the spin-1/2 case to remove the dependence on chemical shift offset effects. For quadrupolar spins, the experiment yields information on the relative tensor orientations of the coupled quadrupoles. Applications to crystalline sodium aluminum diphosphate, sodium sulphite, and potassium borate glasses are shown.

Distance measurements between 13C nuclei in singly labeled p-xylene/Dianin's inclusion compound by 2D-RFDR

Two-dimensional magnetization exchange experiments, with the radio-frequency-driven recoupling pulse sequence in the mixing time, have been performed for the detection of homonuclear 13C-13C distances between the singly 13C labeled methyl carbon of p-xylene and the natural abundant 13C nuclei of the host molecules in p-xylene/Dianin's complex. The intensities of the cross peaks between the methyl carbon and six host carbons were measured as function of the length of the mixing time and normalized by the intensities of their diagonal peaks. The results were compared with simulations based on the known distances in the complex. Good agreement was obtained, without taking the homonuclear zero-quantum linewidth (1/piTZQ2) into account. This can be understood by realizing that in this complex the 13C carbon pairs are significantly diluted.