Solid-state 2H NMR Research Articles

Hydration, Refinement, and Dissolution of the Crystalline Phase in Polyamide 6 Polymorphs for Ultimate Thermomechanical Properties.

Timescales of polyamide 6 melt-shaping technologies, relative to the dynamics of conformational rearrangements upon crystallization, challenge the formation of the most thermodynamically favorable chain packing and thus optimum performance. In this publication, we make use of the mediation of hydrogen bonding by water molecules in the superheated state of water, i.e., above 100 °C in a closed environment, in the structural refinement of polyamide 6 for enhanced thermomechanical performance. The paper addresses dissolution and (re)crystallization of different polyamide 6 polymorphs in the superheated state of water by time-resolved simultaneous small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering and solid-state 1H NMR spectroscopy and the effect on mechanical properties. The experiments reveal that upon heating in the superheated state of water, the pseudo-hexagonal phase dissolves at relatively low temperature and instantly crystallizes in a defected monoclinic phase that successively refines to a perfected monoclinic structure. The dissolution temperature of the pseudo-hexagonal phase of polyamide 6 is found to be dependent on the degree of crystal perfection originating from conformational disorder and misalignment of hydrogen bonding in the lattice, retrospectively, to the Brill transition temperature. The perfected monoclinic phase below the dissolution temperature can be preserved upon cooling but is plasticized by hydration of the amide moieties in the crystalline phase. The removal of water from the hydrated crystals, in the proximity of Brill transition temperature, strengthening the hydrogen bonding, occurs. Retrospectively, the most thermodynamically stable crystallographic phase is preserved and renders an increase in mechanical properties and dimensional stability of the product. The insight obtained on the influence of superheated water on the structural refinement of imperfected crystallographic states assists in polyamide 6 postprocessing strategies for enhanced performance.

How rotational speed of planetary ball mill and polymer load influence the performance and water vapor sorption in solid dispersions composed of tadalafil and soluplus

The presence of residual water may deteriorate the performance of amorphous solid dispersions prepared by ball milling, affecting molecular mobility, crystallinity, particle size and finally, the drug dissolution rate. As the stability of these metastable systems depend on both formulation and process variables, the aim of this study was to assess for the first time, the impact that the polymer load and the rotational speed applied upon high energy ball milling could have on the performance of binary co-milled solid dispersions composed of tadalafil (a hydrophobic crystalline drug) and Soluplus (an amphiphilic, hygroscopic amorphous polymer). Each of these variables was tested at three levels. Scanning electron microscopy, laser diffraction and X-ray powder diffraction were used to analyze morphology, particle size distribution and crystallinity of ball milled formulations respectively. Dissolution studies were also carried out. Advanced tools of applied physics, namely solid state 1H NMR and relaxometry were used to assess the structure and water mobility upon gaseous phase hydration on storage. It was shown that both tested variables determined the particle size of the formulation. When the rotational speed of 400 rpm was used, all solid dispersion were XRD-amorphous, but to ensure the immediate release of tadalafil its micellar solubilization in Soluplus was necessary. While the formulation was exposed to water vapor, the hydration level increased with an increasing polymer load as well. Hence, the rotational speed governed the space available for the adsorption of water molecules and their organization in a monolayer or multilayers. Such behavior may have impact on the kinetics of the amorphous drug recrystallization, and finally deteriorate its dissolution.

Hydronium Ions on the Surface of a Partially Hydrolyzed α-Zirconium Phosphate: Solid-State 2H and 31P MAS NMR Evidence.

Characterization of the α-zirconium phosphates 1-D2Oh and 1-D2Oh/dr, partially hydrolyzed with D2O, by powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and multinuclear solid-state NMR techniques led to an unprecedented observation of D3O+ ions located on the surface and stabilized by hydrogen bonds. These ions are formed after the surface phosphate groups have been lost.

Original Basic Activation for Enhancing Silica Particle Reactivity: Characterization by Liquid Phase Silanization and Silica-Rubber Nanocomposite Properties.

Silica fillers are used in various nanocomposites in combination with silanes as a reinforcing filler. In tire technology, silica is generally functionalized before (pre-treated) or during mixing (in-situ silanization or post-treated). In both cases, a soft base catalyst (e.g., triethylamine or diphenyl guanidine, DPG) is typically used to accelerate and increase the yield of the silane/silica coupling reaction. In this study, we investigated how pre-treatments of silica particles with either strong amine or hydride bases impact the silanization of silica prior to or during SBR mixing for silica-rubber nanocomposite fabrication. Our findings are supported by molecular characterization (solid state 29Si NMR, 1H NMR and TGA), and scanning electron microscopy. In addition, the impact of these silica pre-treatments on a nanocomposite’s mechanical properties was evaluated using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA).

A Polyimide-Based Photocatalyst for Continuous Hydrogen Peroxide Production Using Air and Water under Solar Light

A Polyimide-Based Photocatalyst for Continuous Hydrogen Peroxide Production Using Air and Water under Solar Light

In situ solid-state NMR study of antimicrobial peptide interactions with erythrocyte membranes

Antimicrobial peptides are promising therapeutic agents to mitigate the global rise of antibiotic resistance. They generally act by perturbing the bacterial cell membrane and are thus less likely to induce resistance. Because they are membrane-active molecules, it is critical to verify and understand their potential action toward eukaryotic cells to help design effective and safe drugs. In this work, we studied the interaction of two antimicrobial peptides, aurein 1.2 and caerin 1.1, with red blood cell (RBC) membranes using in situ 31P and 2H solid-state NMR (SS-NMR). We established a protocol to integrate up to 25% of deuterated fatty acids in the membranes of ghosts, which are obtained when hemoglobin is removed from RBCs. Fatty acid incorporation and the integrity of the lipid bilayer were confirmed by SS-NMR and fluorescence confocal microscopy. Leakage assays were performed to assess the lytic power of the antimicrobial peptides. The in situ perturbation of the ghost membranes by aurein 1.2 and caerin 1.1 revealed by 31P and 2H SS-NMR is consistent with membrane perturbation through a carpet mechanism for aurein 1.2, whereas caerin 1.1 acts on RBCs via pore formation. These results are compatible with fluorescence microscopy images of the ghosts. The peptides interact with eukaryotic membranes following similar mechanisms that take place in bacteria, highlighting the importance of hydrophobicity when determining such interactions. Our work bridges model membranes and in vitro studies and provides an analytical toolbox to assess drug toxicity toward eukaryotic cells.

Butane isomers mobility and framework dynamics in UiO-66 (Zr) MOF: Impact of the hydroxyl groups in zirconia cluster

UiO-66 (Zr) is a metal-organic framework (MOF) known for its thermal and chemical stability and wide range of adsorption-based applications. This MOF exhibits high separation selectivity for butane isomers. It has been earlier inferred that the separation performance of the material depends on the hydroxylation state of the zirconia cluster. In this contribution, we apply 2H solid-state NMR to characterize the dynamics of both the MOF organic framework itself and butane isomers in hydroxylated and dehydroxylated forms of UiO-66. It is established that the rate of π-flipping and the amplitude of the phenylene ring plane librations in the framework are higher for the dehydroxylated form. Self-diffusion coefficients of butane isomers have been estimated for both forms of UiO-66. The diffusivity is higher for n-butane in the dehydroxylated form, whereas the diffusion of isobutane is not affected by the presence of OH groups in the zirconia cluster of the MOF. Higher diffusivity of n-butane in dehydroxylated form is accounted for by the larger effective diameter of the window between the adjacent cages in this form, which arises from faster rotation and larger amplitude of framework linker libration. This rationalizes the higher efficiency of the dehydroxylated form of UiO-66(Zr) material for butane isomers separation.

Characterization of crystalline and amorphous forms of irbesartan by multi-nuclear solid-state NMR

Irbesartan (IRB) is an antihypertensive drug which exhibits the rare phenomenon of desmotropy; its 1H- and 2H- tetrazole tautomers can be isolated as distinct crystalline forms. The crystalline forms of IRB are poorly soluble, hence the amorphous form is potentially of interest for its faster dissolution rate. The tautomeric form and the nature of hydrogen bonding in amorphous IRB are unknown. In this study, crystalline form A and amorphous form of irbesartan were studied using 13C, 15N and 1H solid-state NMR. Variable-temperature 13C SSMNR studies showed alkyl chain disorder in the crystalline form of IRB, which may explain the conflicting literature crystal structures of form A (the marketed form). 15N NMR indicates that the amorphous material contains an approximately 2:1 ratio of 1H- and 2H-tetrazole tautomers. Static 1H SSNMR and relaxation time measurements confirmed different molecular mobilities of the samples and provided molecular-level insight into the nature of the glass transition. SSNMR is shown to be a powerful technique to investigate the solid state of disordered active pharmaceutical ingredients.

Cholesterol sulfate fluidizes the sterol fraction of the stratum corneum lipid phase and increases its permeability

Desulfation of cholesterol sulfate (CholS) to cholesterol (Chol) is an important event in epidermal homeostasis and necessary for stratum corneum (SC) barrier function. The CholS/Chol ratio decreases during SC maturation but remains high in pathological conditions, such as X-linked ichthyosis, characterized by dry and scaly skin. The aim of this study was to characterize the influence of the CholS/Chol molar ratio on the structure, dynamics, and permeability of SC lipid model mixtures. We synthesized deuterated CholS and investigated lipid models with specifically deuterated components using 2H solid-state NMR spectroscopy at temperatures from 25°C to 80°C. Although the rigid acyl chains in ceramides and fatty acids remained essentially rigid upon variation of the CholS/Chol ratio, both sterols were increasingly fluidized in lipid models containing higher CholS concentrations. We also show the X-ray repeat distance of the lipid lamellar phase (105 Å) and the orthorhombic chain packing of the ceramide’s acyl chains and long free fatty acids did not change upon the variation of the CholS content. However, the Chol phase separation visible in models with high Chol concentration disappeared at the 50:50 CholS/Chol ratio. This increased fluidity resulted in higher permeabilities to model markers of these SC models. These results reveal that a high CholS/Chol ratio fluidizes the sterol fraction and increases the permeability of the SC lipid phase while maintaining the lamellar lipid arrangement with an asymmetric sterol distribution.

Rivalry of cholesterol and antimicrobial peptides as seen by molecular simulations and NMR spectroscopy

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) exhibit cell selectivity and activity against microorganisms and are promising candidates as pharmaceutical agents. In mammalian cell membranes cholesterol plays a regulatory function in antibiotic drug resistance and the immune response. Our hypothesis is that differences in the peptide-membrane interactions versus cholesterol affect the bilayer properties giving a possible framework for selectivity of AMPs for bacterial membranes. Here we employed solid-state 2H NMR to compare the degree of softening or stiffening by AMPs compared to cholesterol in model di-monounsaturated phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine lipids (DOPC vs.

Antiviral compounds investigated by solid-state deuterium NMR spectroscopy

Antiviral compounds like rimantadine, amantadine, and their derivatives are effective combatants against diseases such as influenza and dyskinesia. Characterization of structure and dynamics of these molecules is essential for understanding their antiviral activity. Here we conducted solid-state 2H NMR relaxometry to elucidate the internal dynamics and structural restraints of these compounds in the solid state. Quadrupolar-echo based relaxometry experiments were performed on powdered samples of deuterated rimantadine and amantadine.

Separating an overlapped 1H peak and identifying its 1H-1H correlations with the use of single-channel 1H solid-state NMR at fast MAS

Fast magic-angle spinning (≥60 ​kHz) technique has enabled the acquisition of high-resolution 1H NMR spectra of solid materials. However, the spectral interpretation is still difficult because the 1H peaks are overlapped due to the narrow chemical shift range and broad linewidths. An additional 13C or 14N or 1H dimension possibly addresses the issues of overlapped proton resonances, but it leads to the elongated experimental time. Herein, we introduce a single-channel 1H experiment to separate the overlapped 1H peak and identify its spatially proximal 1H–1H correlations. This sequence combines selective excitation, selective 1H–1H polarization transfer by selective recoupling of protons (SERP), and broadband 1H recoupling by back-to-back (BABA) recoupling sequences. The concept for 1H separation is based on (i) the selective excitation of a well-resolved 1H peak and (ii) the selective dipolar polarization transfer from this isolated 1H peak to one of the 1H peaks in the overlapped/poor resolution region by SERP and (iii) the detection of 1H–1H correlations from these two 1H peaks to other neighboring 1Hs by BABA. We demonstrated the applicability of this approach to identify overlapped peaks on two molecules, β-L-aspartyl-l-alanine and Pioglitazone.HCl. The sequence allows the clear observation of 1H–1H correlations from an overlapped 1H peak without an additional heteronuclear dimension and ensures efficient polarization transfers that leads to twelve fold reduction in experimental time compared to 14N edited experiments. The limitation and the conditions of applicability for this approach are discussed in detail.

Molecular Dynamics Studies of Aromatic Guests in Three Isostructural Inclusion Compounds with Molecular Boron–Nitrogen Hosts

The dynamics of three guests: benzene (ben), naphthalene (nap), and xylene (xyl) included in the isostructural cavities of tetrameric [(2fbe)2(bpy)⊃guest]4 cages were examined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, variable-temperature solid-state 2H NMR spectroscopy, and molecular dynamics simulations. The inclusion compounds were selected from a series of boron–nitrogen host adducts assembled in a 2:1 stoichiometric ratio from the catechol ester of 2,4-difluorophenylboronic acid (2fbe) and 4,4′-bipyridine (bpy) in the presence of aromatic guests. The dynamic characterization studies revealed that ben is highly mobile with fast in-plane jumps around the C6-axis above T = 150 K, with a calculated activation energy, Ea, of 4.9 kJ mol–1. Surprisingly, the larger guest nap experiences 180° jumps above 296 K. On the contrary, xyl guests can only experience 120° in-plane jumps at temperatures close to the decomposition point because the methyl groups act as effective stoppers.

Enhancement of tensile toughness of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) through blending of a polydecalactone-grafted cellulose copolymer: The effect of mesophase transition on mechanical properties

Increasing the toughness of poly(lactic acid) (PLA), i.e., simultaneously increasing both the tensile strength and ductility, remains a major challenge. In this study, fully bio-based PLA blends with polydecalactone (PDL)-grafted cellulose copolymer (CgPD) were prepared and comprehensively analyzed to enhance the toughness of the PLA matrix. The blends were found by FT-IR and solid-state 1H NMR to be physically intact and miscible at the sub-twenty-nanometer scale. The WXRD and DSC analyses indicated that the addition of the alkyl-branched CgPD imparts a more structurally disordered PLA mesophase state to the prepared PLA_CgPD bio-blends. UTM analysis was used to characterize the macroscopic mechanical properties of the PLA_CgPD bio-blends. Both the tensile strength and elongation properties were simultaneously improved with the addition of 1 wt% CgPD loading amount to PLA (PLA_CgPD1). This study experimentally demonstrates that the enhanced mechanical properties of PLA_CgPD1 are closely related to the existence of more ordered PLA mesophases induced by the introduction of an optimal amount of CgPD into the PLA matrix.

Synthesis and Thermal Degradation of MAl4(OH)12SO4·3H2O with M = Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, and Zn2.

The synthesis and thermal degradation of MAl4(OH)12SO4·3H2O layered double hydroxides with M = Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+ ("MAl4-LDH") were investigated by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, powder X-ray diffraction, Rietveld refinement, scanning electron microscopy, scanning tunnel electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and solid-state 1H and 27Al NMR spectroscopy. Following extensive synthesis optimization, phase pure CoAl4- and NiAl4-LDH were obtained, whereas 10-12% unreacted bayerite (Al(OH)3) remained for the CuAl4-LDH. The optimum synthesis conditions are hydrothermal treatment at 120 °C for 14 days (NiAl4-LDH only 9 days) with MSO4(aq) concentrations of 1.4-2.8, 0.7-0.8, and 0.08 M for the CoAl4-, NiAl4-, and CuAl4-LDH, respectively. A pH ≈ 2 for the metal sulfate solutions is required to prevent the formation of byproducts, which were Ni(OH)2 and Cu3(SO4)(OH)4 for NiAl4- and CuAl4-LDH, respectively. The thermal degradation of the three MAl4-LDH and ZnAl4-LDH in a nitrogen atmosphere proceeds in three steps: (i) dehydration and dehydroxylation between 200 and 600 °C, (ii) loss of sulfate between 600 and 900 °C, and (iii) formation of the end products at 900-1200 °C. For CoAl4-LDH (ZnAl4-LDH), these are α-Al2O3 and CoAl2O4 (ZnAl2O4) spinel. For NiAl4-LDH, a spinel-like NiAl4O7 phase forms, whereas CuAl4-LDH degrades by a redox reaction yielding a diamagnetic CuAlO2 (delafossite structure) and α-Al2O3.

Surface Chemistry of Nanohybrids with Fumed Silica Functionalized by Polydimethylsiloxane/Dimethyl Carbonate Studied Using 1H, 13C, and 29Si Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy.

The investigation of molecular interactions between a silica surface and organic/inorganic polymers is crucial for deeper understanding of the dominant mechanisms of surface functionalization. In this work, attachment of various depolymerized polydimethylsiloxanes (PDMS) of different chain lengths, affected by dimethyl carbonate (DMC), to silica nanoparticles pretreated at different temperatures has been studied using 29Si, 1H, and 13C solid-state NMR spectroscopy. The results show that grafting of different modifier blends onto a preheated silica surface depends strongly on the specific surface area (SSA) linked to the silica nanoparticle size distributions affecting all textural characteristics. The pretreatment at 400 °C results in a greater degree of the modification of (i) A-150 (SSA = 150 m2/g) by PDMS-10/DMC and PDMS-1000/DMC blends; (ii) A-200 by PDMS-10/DMC and PDMS-100/DMC blends; and (iii) A-300 by PDMS-100/DMC and PDMS-1000/DMC blends. The spectral features observed using solid-state NMR spectroscopy suggest that the main surface products of the reactions of various depolymerized PDMS with pretreated nanosilica particles are the (CH3)3SiO-[(CH3)2SiO-]x fragments. The reactions occur with the siloxane bond breakage by DMC and replacing surface hydroxyls. Changes in the chemical shifts and line widths, as shown by solid-state NMR, provide novel information on the whole structure of functionalized nanosilica particles. This study highlights the major role of solid-state NMR spectroscopy for comprehensive characterization of functionalized solid surfaces.

Interaction of the pitavastatin with model membranes

Pitavastatin is a statin drug that, by competitively inhibiting 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase, can lower serum cholesterol levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) accompanied by side effects due to pleiotropic effects leading to statin intolerance. These effects can be explained by the lipophilicity of statins, which creates membrane affinity and causes statin localization in cellular membranes. In the current report, the interaction of pitavastatin with POPC model membranes and its influence on the membrane structure were investigated using 1H, 2H and 31P solid-state NMR spectroscopy. Our experiments show the average localization of pitavastatin at the lipid/water interface of the membrane, which is biased towards the hydrocarbon core in comparison to other statin molecules. The membrane binding of pitavastatin also introduced an isotropic component into the 31P NMR powder spectra, suggesting that some of the lamellar POPC molecules are converted into highly curved structures.

Structural Refinement of Carbimazole by NMR Crystallography.

The characterization of the three-dimensional structure of solids is of major importance, especially in the pharmaceutical field. In the present work, NMR crystallography methods are applied with the aim to refine the crystal structure of carbimazole, an active pharmaceutical ingredient used for the treatment of hyperthyroidism and Grave’s disease. Starting from previously reported X-ray diffraction data, two refined structures were obtained by geometry optimization methods. Experimental 1H and 13C isotropic chemical shift measured by the suitable 1H and 13C high-resolution solid state NMR techniques were compared with DFT-GIPAW calculated values, allowing the quality of the obtained structure to be experimentally checked. The refined structure was further validated through the analysis of 1H-1H and 1H-13C 2D NMR correlation experiments. The final structure differs from that previously obtained from X-ray diffraction data mostly for the position of hydrogen atoms.

A Closer Look at Structural Relaxation in Superionic (NH4)4H2(SeO4)3: 1H NMR Studies

Structural relaxation and the role of molecular and proton dynamics in the electrolyte system, (NH4)4H2(SeO4)3 (TeAHSe), are studied at ambient pressure, as a function of temperature and time, by using the solid-state 1H NMR technique. Analysis of 1H NMR spectra collected in the temperature range from 20 to 400 K yielded information about the dynamics of protons in the ordered and disordered crystalline TeAHSe phases. It has been shown that in the low-temperature phase TeAHSe is a proton conductor. In contrast, the electric charge carriers in the superionic phase are protons and NH4+ ions. Therefore, the electrical conductivity in the superionic phase of TeAHSe is a combination of the chemical exchange of protons, proton diffusion within hydrogen bonds, and diffusion of ammonia cations in the bulk of the crystal. We also demonstrate that the enhanced charge transport in the superionic phase of TeAHSe mainly results from the NH4+ cation diffusion process. The unique data from the time evolution of NMR spectra taken at a constant temperature just below the phase transition provide the first direct evidence of ammonium cations involvement in the low-temperature structure recovery (structural relaxation). We proposed a scenario of the process of structural relaxation in the TeAHSe crystal as well as the origin of the phase transformation mechanism to the superionic stage.

Linear/Ladder-Like Polysiloxane Block Copolymers with Methyl-, Trifluoropropyl- and Phenyl- Siloxane Units for Surface Modification.

Multiblock copolymers containing linear polydimethylsiloxane or polymethyltrifluoropropylsiloxane and ladder-like polyphenylsiloxane were synthesized in a one-step pathway. The functional homopolymer blocks and final multiblock copolymers were characterized using solution and solid-state multinuclear 1H, 13C, 19F, and 29Si NMR spectroscopy. It was shown that the ladder-like block contains silanol units, which influence the adhesion properties of multiblock copolymers and morphology of their casted films. The adhesion to metals and mechanical properties of multiblock copolymers were tested. The SEM study of casted films of multiblock copolymers shows the variety of formed morphologies, including long-strip-like or globular.