Recent Advances of Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy for Microporous Materials

Microporous materials have attracted a rapid growth of research interest in materials science and the multidisciplinary area because of their wide applications in catalysis, separation, ion exchange, gas storage, drug release, and sensing. A fundamental understanding of their diverse structures and properties is crucial for rational design of high-performance materials and technological applications in industry. Solid-state NMR (SSNMR), capable of providing atomic-level information on both structure and dynamics, is a powerful tool in the scientific exploration of solid materials. Here, advanced SSNMR instruments and methods for characterization of microporous materials are briefly described. The recent progress of the application of SSNMR for the investigation of microporous materials including zeolites, metal-organic frameworks, covalent organic frameworks, porous aromatic frameworks, and layered materials is discussed with representative work. The versatile SSNMR techniques provide detailed information on the local structure, dynamics, and chemical processes in the confined space of porous materials. The challenges and prospects in SSNMR study of microporous and related materials are discussed.

Application of NMR Crystallography to Highly Disordered Templated Materials: Extensive Local Structural Disorder in the Gallophosphate GaPO-34A

We present an NMR crystallographic investigation of two as-made forms of the recently characterized gallophosphate GaPO-34A, which has an unusual framework composition with a Ga:P ratio of 7:6 and contains both hydroxide and fluoride anions and either 1-methylimidazolium or pyridinium as the structure-directing agent. We combine previously reported X-ray crystallographic data with solid-state NMR spectroscopy and periodic density functional theory (DFT) calculations to show that the structure contains at least three distinct types of disorder (occupational, compositional, and dynamic). The occupational disorder arises from the presence of six anion sites per unit cell, but a total occupancy of five of these, leading to full occupancy of four sites and partial occupancy of the fifth and sixth (which are related by symmetry). The mixture of OH and F present leads to compositional disorder on the occupied anion sites, although the occupancy of some sites by F is calculated to be energetically unfavorable and signals relating to F on these sites are not observed by NMR spectroscopy, confirming that the compositional disorder is not random. Finally, a combination of high-field ⁷¹Ga NMR spectroscopy and variable-temperature ¹³C and ³¹P NMR experiments shows that the structure directing agents are dynamic on the microsecond time scale, which can be supported by averaging the ³¹P chemical shifts calculated with the SDA in different orientations. This demonstrates the value of an NMR crystallographic approach, particularly in the case of highly disordered crystalline materials, where the growth of large single crystals for conventional structure determination may not be possible owing to the extent of disorder present.

Water as a tuneable solvent: a perspective

Water is the most sustainable solvent, but its polarity limits the solubility of non-polar solutes. Confining water in hydrophobic nanopores could be a way to modulate water solvent properties and enable using water as tuneable solvent (WaTuSo).

17O NMR studies of organic and biological molecules in aqueous solution and in the solid state

This review describes the latest developments in the field of ¹⁷O NMR spectroscopy of organic and biological molecules both in aqueous solution and in the solid state. In the first part of the review, a general theoretical description of the nuclear quadrupole relaxation process in isotropic liquids is presented at a mathematical level suitable for non-specialists. In addition to the first-order quadrupole interaction, the theory also includes additional relaxation mechanisms such as the second-order quadrupole interaction and its cross correlation with shielding anisotropy. This complete theoretical treatment allows one to assess the transverse relaxation rate (thus the line width) of NMR signals from half-integer quadrupolar nuclei in solution over the entire range of motion. On the basis of this theoretical framework, we discuss general features of quadrupole-central-transition (QCT) NMR, which is a particularly powerful method of studying biomolecules in the slow motion regime. Then we review recent advances in ¹⁷O QCT NMR studies of biological macromolecules in aqueous solution. The second part of the review is concerned with solid-state ¹⁷O NMR studies of organic and biological molecules. As a sequel to the previous review on the same subject [G. Wu, Prog. Nucl. Magn. Reson. Spectrosc. 52 (2008) 118-169], the current review provides a complete coverage of the literature published since 2008 in this area.

Enhanced 1H-X D-HMQC performance through improved 1H homonuclear decoupling

The sensitivity of solid-state NMR experiments that utilize ¹H zero-quantum heteronuclear dipolar recoupling, such as D-HMQC, is compromised by poor homonuclear decoupling. This leads to a rapid decay of recoupled magnetization and an inefficient recoupling of long-range dipolar interactions, especially for nuclides with low gyromagnetic ratios. We investigated the use, in symmetry-based ¹H heteronuclear recoupling sequences, of a basic R element that was principally designed for efficient homonuclear decoupling. By shortening the time required to suppress the effects of homonuclear dipolar interactions to the duration of a single inversion pulse, spin diffusion was effectively quenched and long-lived recoupled coherence lifetimes could be obtained. We show, both theoretically and experimentally, that these modified sequences can yield considerable sensitivity improvements over the current state-of-the-art methods and applied them to the indirect detection of ⁸⁹Y in a metal-organic framework.

NMR crystallography: structure and properties of materials from solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance observables

This topical review provides a brief overview of recent developments in NMR crystallography and related NMR approaches to studying the properties of molecular and ionic solids. Areas of complementarity with diffraction-based methods are underscored. These include the study of disordered systems, of dynamic systems, and other selected examples where NMR can provide unique insights. Highlights from the literature as well as recent work from my own group are discussed.

Crystallographic and Dynamic Aspects of Solid-State NMR Calibration Compounds: Towards ab Initio NMR Crystallography

The excellent results of dispersion-corrected density functional theory (DFT-D) calculations for static systems have been well established over the past decade. The introduction of dynamics into DFT-D calculations is a target, especially for the field of molecular NMR crystallography. Four (13) C ss-NMR calibration compounds are investigated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, molecular dynamics and DFT-D calculations. The crystal structure of 3-methylglutaric acid is reported. The rotator phases of adamantane and hexamethylbenzene at room temperature are successfully reproduced in the molecular dynamics simulations. The calculated (13) C chemical shifts of these compounds are in excellent agreement with experiment, with a root-mean-square deviation of 2.0 ppm. It is confirmed that a combination of classical molecular dynamics and DFT-D chemical shift calculation improves the accuracy of calculated chemical shifts.

Solid state NMR studies of gels derived from low molecular mass gelators

Since its invention more than six decades ago, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy has evolved as an inevitable part of chemical as well as structural analysis of small molecules, polymers, biomaterials and hybrid materials. In the solution state, due to the increased viscosity of complex viscoelastic fluids such as gels, liquid crystals and other soft materials, the rate of molecular tumbling is reduced, which in turn affects the chemical shift anisotropy, dipolar and quadrupolar interactions. As a consequence the solution state NMR spectra show broad lines, and therefore, extracting detailed structural information is a challenging task. In this context, solid state (SS) NMR has the ability to distinguish between a minute amount of polymorphic forms, conformational changes, and the number of non-equivalent molecules in an asymmetric unit of a crystal lattice, and to provide both qualitative as well as quantitative analytical data with a short-range order. Therefore, SS NMR has continued to evolve as an indispensable tool for structural analysis and gave birth to a new field called NMR crystallography. Solid state cross polarization (CP) and high resolution (HR) magic angle spinning (MAS) NMR spectroscopy has been used to study weak interactions in polymer gels. However, the application of SS NMR spectroscopy to study gels derived from low molecular weight gelators has been limited until recently. In this review, we will focus on the importance of solid state NMR spectroscopy in understanding and elucidating the structure of supramolecular gels derived from low molecular weight gelators with selected examples.

Recent advances in application of (27)Al NMR spectroscopy to materials science

Valuable information about the local environment of the aluminum nucleus can be obtained through (27)Al Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) parameters like the isotropic chemical shift, scalar and quadrupolar coupling constants, and relaxation rate. With nearly 250 scientific articles per year dealing with (27)Al NMR spectroscopy, this analytical tool has become popular because of the recent progress that has made the acquisition and interpretation of the NMR data much easier. The application of (27)Al NMR techniques to various classes of compounds, either in solution or solid-state, has been shown to be extremely informative concerning local structure and chemistry of aluminum in its various environments. The development of experimental methodologies combined with theoretical approaches and modeling has contributed to major advances in spectroscopic characterization especially in materials sciences where long-range periodicity and classical local NMR probes are lacking. In this review we will present an overview of results obtained by (27)Al NMR as well as the most relevant methodological developments over the last 25years, concerning particularly on progress in the application of liquid- and solid-state (27)Al NMR to the study of aluminum-based materials such as aluminum polyoxoanions, zeolites, aluminophosphates, and metal-organic-frameworks.

Solid-State ¹⁷O NMR studies of organic and biological molecules: Recent advances and future directions

This Trends article highlights the recent advances published between 2012 and 2015 in solid-state (17)O NMR for organic and biological molecules. New developments in the following areas are described: (1) new oxygen-containing functional groups, (2) metal organic frameworks, (3) pharmaceuticals, (4) probing molecular motion in organic solids, (5) dynamic nuclear polarization, and (6) paramagnetic coordination compounds. For each of these areas, the author offers his personal views on important problems to be solved and possible future directions.

Investigating adsorption of organic compounds in metal-organic framework MIL-53

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are versatile materials that incorporate metal centers along with organic linkers in highly ordered, intricate structures. MIL-53 is a MOF that exhibits a “breathing effect,” where the pore size and MOF topology are profoundly influenced by the identity and binding mechanism of guest molecules. This phenomenon renders MIL-53 a promising candidate for sensing applications. In this report, the adsorption of various organic compounds within MIL-53 is investigated using a combination of complementary techniques. Thermal gravimetric analysis experiments confirm loading of the guest molecules and yield insight into adsorption interactions and strengths. Significant guest-induced changes in the crystal structure of MIL-53 are revealed by powder X-ray diffraction experiments; specific unique phases of MIL-53 are related to the identity of the guest molecule and its binding mechanism to the framework. 27Al and 13C solid-state NMR experiments probe the interaction between guest molecules and MIL-53. The relationship between the nature of the guest, the structure of MIL-53, and 27Al NMR parameters is explored. 27Al NMR parameters are sensitive to the host-guest binding mechanism (i.e., hydrogen-bonding or π–π stacking interactions) and yield valuable information regarding the influence of the adsorbates on the local aluminum environment. This combination of physical characterization techniques is a useful probe of guest adsorption and the breathing effect within MIL-53 and should prove useful for investigation of related MOFs.

Modelling the experimental electron density: only the synergy of various approaches can tackle the new challenges

Electron density is a fundamental quantity that enables understanding of the chemical bonding in a molecule or in a solid and the chemical/physical property of a material. Because electrons have a charge and a spin, two kinds of electron densities are available. Moreover, because electron distribution can be described in momentum or in position space, charge and spin density have two definitions and they can be observed through Bragg (for the position space) or Compton (for the momentum space) diffraction experiments, using X-rays (charge density) or polarized neutrons (spin density). In recent years, we have witnessed many advances in this field, stimulated by the increased power of experimental techniques. However, an accurate modelling is still necessary to determine the desired functions from the acquired data. The improved accuracy of measurements and the possibility to combine information from different experimental techniques require even more flexibility of the models. In this short review, we analyse some of the most important topics that have emerged in the recent literature, especially the most thought-provoking at the recent IUCr general meeting in Montreal.

NMR crystallography of ezetimibe co-crystals

An efficient, simplified protocol for solvent-drop assisted co-crystal preparation of ezetimibe (a drug for the treatment of primary hypercholesterolemia) with both imidazole and l-proline has been derived. The structures of the white powders were successfully solved via "NMR crystallography" combining solid-state NMR, powder X-ray diffraction and DFT chemical shift computations. Detailed insights into the likely crystallization mechanism were obtained from competition experiments, where efficient co-crystallization was feasible using ezetimibe monohydrate as precursor indicating that the crystal water acts as "molecular catalyst". It was also found that co-crystallization of imidazole is favored over l-proline, thus suggesting a clear preference of neutral hydrogen bonds compared to charge-assisted motifs.

New methods and applications in solid-state NMR spectroscopy of quadrupolar nuclei

Solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy has long been established as offering unique atomic-scale and element-specific insight into the structure, disorder, and dynamics of materials. NMR spectra of quadrupolar nuclei (I > (1)/2) are often perceived as being challenging to acquire and to interpret because of the presence of anisotropic broadening arising from the interaction of the electric field gradient and the nuclear electric quadrupole moment, which broadens the spectral lines, often over several megahertz. Despite the vast amount of information contained in the spectral line shapes, the problems with sensitivity and resolution have, until very recently, limited the application of NMR spectroscopy of quadrupolar nuclei in the solid state. In this Perspective, we provide a brief overview of the quadrupolar interaction, describe some of the basic experimental approaches used for acquiring high-resolution NMR spectra, and discuss the information that these spectra can provide. We then describe some interesting recent examples to showcase some of the more exciting and challenging new applications of NMR spectra of quadrupolar nuclei in the fields of energy materials, microporous materials, Earth sciences, and biomaterials. Finally, we consider the possible directions that this highly informative technique may take in the future.

NMR crystallography: Applications to inorganic materials

Current developments of NMR crystallography as well as some recent applications to diamagnetic inorganic solids are presented. First, we illustrate how solid-state NMR data can be used in combination with diffraction data for the determination of the periodic part of the crystal structures, from the space group selection, to the structure determination over the refinement and validation processes. As ss-NMR, contrary to diffraction (powder and single-crystal), is not restricted to periodic boundary conditions, ss-NMR data can be used to further complete the structural description of materials, including studies of local order/disorder, etc. This illustrated through examples, which are shown and discussed in the second part of this review.

Recent NMR developments applied to organic-inorganic materials

In this contribution, the latest developments in solid state NMR are presented in the field of organic-inorganic (O/I) materials (or hybrid materials). Such materials involve mineral and organic (including polymeric and biological) components, and can exhibit complex O/I interfaces. Hybrids are currently a major topic of research in nanoscience, and solid state NMR is obviously a pertinent spectroscopic tool of investigation. Its versatility allows the detailed description of the structure and texture of such complex materials. The article is divided in two main parts: in the first one, recent NMR methodological/instrumental developments are presented in connection with hybrid materials. In the second part, an exhaustive overview of the major classes of O/I materials and their NMR characterization is presented.

Parallelizing acquisitions of solid-state NMR spectra with multi-channel probe and multi-receivers: applications to nanoporous solids

A five-channel ((1)H, (19)F, (31)P, (27)Al, (13)C) 2.5 mm magic-angle-spinning (MAS) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) probe is used in combination with three separate receivers for the parallel acquisitions of one (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) NMR spectra in model fluorinated aluminophosphate and porous Al-based metal-organic framework (MOF). Possible combinations to record simultaneously spectra using this set-up are presented, including (i) parallel acquisitions of quantitative 1D NMR spectra of solids containing nuclei with contrasted T1 relaxation rates and (ii) parallel acquisitions of 2D heteronuclear NMR spectra. In solids containing numerous different NMR-accessible nuclei, the number of NMR experiments that have to be acquired to get accurate structural information is high. The strategy we present here, i.e. the multiplication of both the number of irradiation channels in the probe and the number of parallel receivers, offers one possibility to optimize this measurement time.