Magnetic Resonance Techniques in Catalytic Research

Abstract

Publisher Summary The nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) techniques provide unique information on the microscopic properties of solids, such as the symmetry of atomic sites, the covalent character of bonds, the strength of exchange interactions, and the rates of atomic and molecular motion. The recent developments of nuclear double resonance, the Overhauser effect, and electron-nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) allows further elucidation of these properties. Because the catalytic characteristics of solids are presumably related to the detailed electronic and geometric structure of solids, a correlation between the results of magnetic resonance studies and catalytic properties can occur. The limitation of NMR lies in the fact that only certain nuclei are suitable for study in polycrystalline or amorphous solids, while EPR is limited in the fact that only paramagnetic species may be observed. These limitations, however, are counter-balanced by the wealth of information that can be obtained when the techniques are applicable.