Solid-state 15N Research Articles

Anion exchange dynamics in the capture of perchlorate by a cationic Ag-based MOF.

We report a detailed study of the host-guest interaction for a cationic metal-organic framework that can reversibly capture perchlorate. The structural transformation and flexibility of silver 4,4'-bipyridine nitrate (SBN) upon formation of silver 4,4'-bipyridine perchlorate (SBP) was evaluated by monitoring the anion exchange dynamics using a combination of powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) with multinuclear 13C, 15N and 109Ag solid-state NMR spectra at different time intervals of the anion exchange. The structural transformation from SBN to SBP is complete within 70 minutes and was determined to take place by a solvent-mediated process. This pathway is confirmed by the morphological changes of the two crystalline materials observed by SEM. This key understanding may lead to application of this material towards perchlorate capture.

Molecular titanium nitrides: nucleophiles unleashed.

In this contribution we present reactivity studies of a rare example of a titanium salt, in the form of [μ2-K(OEt2)]2[(PN)2Ti[triple bond, length as m-dash]N]2 (1) (PN- = N-(2-(diisopropylphosphino)-4-methylphenyl)-2,4,6-trimethylanilide) to produce a series of imide moieties including rare examples such as methylimido, borylimido, phosphonylimido, and a parent imido. For the latter, using various weak acids allowed us to narrow the pK a range of the NH group in (PN)2Ti[triple bond, length as m-dash]NH to be between 26-36. Complex 1 could be produced by a reductively promoted elimination of N2 from the azide precursor (PN)2TiN3, whereas reductive splitting of N2 could not be achieved using the complex (PN)2Ti[double bond, length as m-dash]N[double bond, length as m-dash]N[double bond, length as m-dash]Ti(PN)2 (2) and a strong reductant. Complete N-atom transfer reactions could also be observed when 1 was treated with ClC(O)tBu and OCCPh2 to form NCtBu and KNCCPh2, respectively, along with the terminal oxo complex (PN)2Ti[triple bond, length as m-dash]O, which was also characterized. A combination of solid state 15N NMR (MAS) and theoretical studies allowed us to understand the shielding effect of the counter cation in dimer 1, the monomer [K(18-crown-6)][(PN)2Ti[triple bond, length as m-dash]N], and the discrete salt [K(2,2,2-Kryptofix)][(PN)2Ti[triple bond, length as m-dash]N] as well as the origin of the highly downfield 15N NMR resonance when shifting from dimer to monomer to a terminal nitride (discrete salt). The upfield shift of 15Nnitride resonance in the 15N NMR spectrum was found to be linked to the K+ induced electronic structural change of the titanium-nitride functionality by using a combination of MO analysis and quantum chemical analysis of the corresponding shielding tensors.

1,4-Phenylenediamine based covalent triazine framework as an electro catalyst

Herein, we report the synthesis of 1,4-phenylenediamine based covalent triazine framework (CTF) by reacting cyanuric chloride with 1,4-phenylenediamine under basic conditions. The as synthesized polymeric framework was characterized by solid state 13C-CPMAS and 15N NMR, FT-IR, Raman, SEM, TEM, UV-Vis and N2 sorption isotherm. Commercially available glassy carbon electrode is modified with the as synthesized polymer and its electro catalytic activity towards the reduction of nitrobenzene and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is studied. Performance of the bare CTF material resembles the performance of commercial GC (glassy carbon) electrode.

Enhanced NMR Discrimination of Pharmaceutically Relevant Molecular Crystal Forms through Fragment-Based Ab Initio Chemical Shift Predictions.

Chemical shift prediction plays an important role in the determination or validation of crystal structures with solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. One of the fundamental theoretical challenges lies in discriminating variations in chemical shifts resulting from different crystallographic environments. Fragment-based electronic structure methods provide an alternative to the widely used plane wave gauge-including projector augmented wave (GIPAW) density functional technique for chemical shift prediction. Fragment methods allow hybrid density functionals to be employed routinely in chemical shift prediction, and we have recently demonstrated appreciable improvements in the accuracy of the predicted shifts when using the hybrid PBE0 functional instead of generalized gradient approximation (GGA) functionals like PBE. Here, we investigate the solid-state 13C and 15N NMR spectra for multiple crystal forms of acetaminophen, phenobarbital, and testosterone. We demonstrate that the use of the hybrid density functional instead of a GGA provides both higher accuracy in the chemical shifts and increased discrimination among the different crystallographic environments. Finally, these results also provide compelling evidence for the transferability of the linear regression parameters mapping predicted chemical shieldings to chemical shifts that were derived in an earlier study.

Alkyl Spacer Length and Protonation Induced Changes in Crystalline Psychoactive Arylpiperazine Derivatives: Single-Crystal X-ray, Solid-State NMR, and Computational Studies

A series of new long-chain arylpiperazine derivatives with a flexible alkyl spacer were synthesized. A controversy concerning the role of the spacer, whether it participates actively in binding to 5-HT1A and D2 receptors or it acts as a distance arm, encouraged us to investigate how the molecular and crystal structure changes with the increased length of the alkyl linker (from four CH2 units to six). In this study both the basic active compounds as well as their hydrochlorides were studied. Single crystal X-ray structure analysis with a combination of 13C, 15N solid state NMR spectroscopy supported by gauge-including projector-augmented wave calculations of chemical shielding was used. These studies were aimed to examine, elucidate, and compare molecular conformations and to point out the most important intermolecular interactions leading to large supramolecular synthons formed in crystals of both bases and hydrochlorides.

15N NMR Spectroscopy, X-ray and Neutron Diffraction, Quantum-Chemical Calculations, and UV/vis-Spectrophotometric Titrations as Complementary Techniques for the Analysis of Pyridine-Supported Bicyclic Guanidine Superbases

Pyridine substituted with one and two bicyclic guanidine groups has been studied as a potential source of superbases. 2-{hpp}C5H4N (I) and 2,6-{hpp}2C5H3N (II) (hppH = 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-2H-pyrimido[1,2-a]pyrimidine) were protonated using [HNEt3][BPh4] to afford [I-H][BPh4] (1a), [II-H][BPh4] (2), and [II-H2][BPh4]2 (3). Solution-state (1)H and (15)N NMR spectroscopy shows a symmetrical cation in 2, indicating a facile proton-exchange process in solution. Solid-state (15)N NMR data differentiates between the two groups, indicating a mixed guanidine/guanidinium. X-ray diffraction data are consistent with protonation at the imine nitrogen, confirmed for 1a by single-crystal neutron diffraction. The crystal structure of 1a shows association of two [I-H](+) cations within a cage of [BPh4](-) anions. Computational analysis performed in the gas phase and in MeCN solution shows that the free energy barrier to transfer a proton between imino centers in [II-H](+) is 1 order of magnitude lower in MeCN than in the gas phase. The results provide evidence that linking hpp groups with the pyridyl group stabilizes the protonation center, thereby increasing the intrinsic basicity in the gas phase, while the bulk prevents efficient cation solvation, resulting in diminished pKa(MeCN) values. Spectrophotometrically measured pKa values are in excellent agreement with calculated values and confirm that I and II are superbases in solution.

Structural, Hirshfeld surface and spectroscopic studies of the noncentrosymmetric 1-ethylpiperazinediium pentachloroantimonate (III) monohydrate

1-Ethylpiperazinediium pentachloroantimonate (III) monohydrate, C6H16N2SbCl5·H2O, has been synthesized by the reaction of antimony trioxide (Sb2O3) and 1-ethylpiperazine in an aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid. The structure crystallizes in orthorhombic system, in the non-centrosymmetric space group Pca21 and consists of isolated [C6H16N2]2+ cations, square pyramidal [SbCl5]2− anions and lattice water molecules. OH⋯Cl hydrogen bonds link the [SbCl5]2− anions and water molecules to form double chains stretching along the [101] direction. The chains in turn are linked to the organic cations via NH⋯Cl, CH⋯Cl, CH⋯O and NH⋯O hydrogen bonds to form a three-dimensional network. This structure presents an example of a general square pyramidal complex ion containing a stereo-chemically active lone pair of electrons. Solid state 13C and 15N CP-MAS NMR spectra are in agreement with the X-ray structure, and vibrational absorption bands were identified by infrared spectroscopy. DFT calculations allowed the attribution of the NMR peaks and IR absorption bands. The interactions variability of the two independent cations and ten chloride atoms is analyzed via Hirshfeld surface analysis.

Mononuclear Transition Metal Complexes of 7‐Nitro‐1,3,5‐Triazaadamantane

AbstractComplexes of the type [MCl2(7‐nitro‐1,3,5‐triaza‐adamantane)2] (M = Zn(II), Pd(II), Pt(II)) and [MCl2(H2O)2(7‐nitro‐1,3,5‐triazaadamantane)2] (M = Mn (II), Co(II), Ni(II)) have been prepared and their structures have been analysed by X‐ray crystallography, elemental analysis, IR and solid state 13C and 15N NMR spectroscopy, supported by density functional theory/gauge independent atomic orbital (DFT/GIAO) calculations. In each case, 7‐nitro‐1,3,5‐triazaadamantane acts as a mono‐dentate ligand and binds to one metal centre only, in spite of the presence of three equivalent amino nitrogens. In the Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes, a two‐dimensional intermolecular hydrogen bonding network between the aqua‐ and the chloro ligands is established. The uncoordinated amines of the 7‐nitro‐1,3,5‐triaza‐adamantane are not involved in any H‐bonding, as a result of the exceptionally low basicity of this compound.

Nitrosation and Nitration of Fulvic Acid, Peat and Coal with Nitric Acid.

Nitrohumic acids, produced from base extraction of coals and peats oxidized with nitric acid, have received considerable attention as soil ammendments in agriculture. The nitration chemistry however is incompletely understood. Moreover, there is a need to understand the reaction of nitric acid with natural organic matter (NOM) in general, in the context of a variety of environmental and biogeochemical processes. Suwannee River NOM, Suwannee River fulvic acid, and Pahokee Peat fulvic acid were treated with 15N-labeled nitric acid at concentrations ranging from 15% to 22% and analyzed by liquid and solid state 15N NMR spectroscopy. Bulk Pahokee peat and Illinois #6 coal were also treated with nitric acid, at 29% and 40% respectively, and analyzed by solid state 15N NMR spectroscopy. In addition to nitro groups from nitration of aromatic carbon, the 15N NMR spectra of all five samples exhibited peaks attributable to nitrosation reactions. These include nitrosophenol peaks in the peat fulvic acid and Suwannee River samples, from nitrosation of phenolic rings, and N-nitroso groups in the peat samples, from nitrosation of secondary amides or amines, the latter consistent with the peat samples having the highest naturally abundant nitrogen contents. Peaks attributable to Beckmann and secondary reactions of the initially formed oximes were present in all spectra, including primary amide, secondary amide, lactam, and nitrile nitrogens. The degree of secondary reaction product formation resulting from nitrosation reactions appeared to correlate inversely with the 13C aromaticities of the samples. The nitrosation reactions are most plausibly effected by nitrous acid formed from the reduction of nitric acid by oxidizable substrates in the NOM and coal samples.

ChemInform Abstract: Environmental NMR: Solid‐State Methods

AbstractReview: 132 refs.

The structure and properties of 5,6-dinitro-1H-benzotriazole

5,6-Dinitro-1H-benzotriazole crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P21/c. The asymmetric unit contains the planar 1H-tautomer together with a water molecule of crystallization. Each water molecule is hydrogen bonded to three adjacent 5,6-dinitrobenzotriazoles forming a tape along the b-axis of the crystal. These tapes stack along the c-axis through hydrogen bonds involving the water molecules and one of the nitro groups leading to a bidimensional structure. Solid-state 13C and 15N CPMAS NMR allow to confirm that the tautomer present is the 1H one. In DMSO-d6 solution the results are quite different and, based on GIAO/B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) calculations, lead us to conclude that the major tautomer is the 5,6-dinitro-2H-benzotriazole, a surprising result that contradicts the rule that the major tautomer in solution coincides with the one present in the crystal. An anhydrous pseudopolymorph of 5,6-dinitro-1H-benzotriazole has been obtained as a non-crystalline form and from solid-state NMR and theoretical calculations, we conclude that it is an 1H-tautomer.

Interactions of Histidine-Rich Antimicrobial Peptides, Gad-1 and Gad-2, with Model Membranes at low and high pH

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are an important component of the innate immune system of many different organisms. Their cationic nature and amphipathic structure make them well suited to interact with and perturb bacterial membranes. A major driving force in the binding of AMPs to bacterial membranes is the electrostatic interaction between positively charged residues of AMPs and anionic lipids of the bacterial membrane. Since histidine has a pKa ∼ 6, histidine-rich AMPs can exhibit greater activity at low pH, when the histidine is positively charged, as compared to at neutral pH, when the histidine is neutral. While Gad-1 and Gad-2 are both histidine-rich AMPs, only Gad-2 exhibits pH-dependent activity against E. coli. Hence, it was surprising to find that neither peptide exhibited pH-dependent membrane disruption in model membranes, when probed by 2H NMR. Thus, we hypothesized the differences in activity might be related to differences in binding affinity. In order to probe the binding, we carried out zeta potential measurements with both Gad-1 and Gad-2 at pH 7.0 and pH 5.0. Additionally, 15N solid state NMR measurements were carried out to establish the topology of the Gad peptides in the bilayer. Together these studies can provide a better understanding of membrane-peptide interactions and the effect of pH on these interactions.

Nanoporous Polyurea from a Triisocyanate and Boric Acid: A Paradigm of a General Reaction Pathway for Isocyanates and Mineral Acids

Isocyanates react with carboxylic acids and yield amides. As reported herewith, however, transferring that reaction to a range of mineral acids (anhydrous H3BO3, H3PO4, H3PO3, H2SeO3, H6TeO6, H5IO6, and H3AuO3) yields urea. The model system for this study was a triisocyanate, tris(4-isocyanatophenyl)methane (TIPM), reacting with boric acid in DMF at room temperature, yielding nanoporous polyurea networks that were dried with supercritical fluid CO2 to robust aerogels (referred to as BPUA-xx). BPUA-xx were structurally (CHN, solid-state 13C NMR) and nanoscopically (SEM, SAXS, N2-sorption) identical to the reaction product of the same triisocyanate (TIPM) and water (referred to as PUA-yy). Minute differences were detected in the primary particle radius (6.2–7.5 nm for BPUA-xx versus 7.0–9.0 nm for PUA-yy), the micropore size within primary particles (6.0–8.5 A for BPUA-xx versus 8.0–10 A for PUA-yy), and the solid-state 15N NMR whereas PUA-yy showed some dangling −NH2. All data together were consistent with...

Probing the Carbonyl Functionality of a Petroleum Resin and Asphaltene through Oximation and Schiff Base Formation in Conjunction with N-15 NMR.

Despite recent advances in spectroscopic techniques, there is uncertainty regarding the nature of the carbonyl groups in the asphaltene and resin fractions of crude oil, information necessary for an understanding of the physical properties and environmental fate of these materials. Carbonyl and hydroxyl group functionalities are not observed in natural abundance 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of asphaltenes and resins and therefore require spin labeling techniques for detection. In this study, the carbonyl functionalities of the resin and asphaltene fractions from a light aliphatic crude oil that is the source of groundwater contamination at the long term USGS study site near Bemidji, Minnesota, have been examined through reaction with 15N-labeled hydroxylamine and aniline in conjunction with analysis by solid and liquid state 15N NMR. Ketone groups were revealed through 15N NMR detection of their oxime and Schiff base derivatives, and esters through their hydroxamic acid derivatives. Anilinohydroquinone adducts provided evidence for quinones. Some possible configurations of the ketone groups in the resin and asphaltene fractions can be inferred from a consideration of the likely reactions that lead to heterocyclic condensation products with aniline and to the Beckmann reaction products from the initially formed oximes. These include aromatic ketones and ketones adjacent to quaternary carbon centers, β-hydroxyketones, β-diketones, and β-ketoesters. In a solid state cross polarization/magic angle spinning (CP/MAS) 15N NMR spectrum recorded on the underivatized asphaltene as a control, carbazole and pyrrole-like nitrogens were the major naturally abundant nitrogens detected.

Thermal decomposition of ammonia borane at 357 K

The heat effect of ammonia borane decomposition at 357 K under atmospheric pressure in glass and copper cells has been determined by calorimetry. The enthalpy of BH3NH3 heat-induced decomposition in glass ampoules is of–24.8±2.3 kJ/mol; this value includes the structural reorganization into diammoniate of diborane of–4.0±2.8 kJ/mol and the thermal effect of decomposition into polyamidoborane of–20.8±1.6 kJ/mol. In the case of experiments in copper cells a much higher (–47.6±8.3 kJ/mol) heat evolution is observed. The solidstate 15N and 11B NMR analysis of samples after the calorimetric experiment has shown that partial oxidation of the sample into boric acid occurs in copper cells.

Catalytic roles of βLys87 in tryptophan synthase: 15N solid state NMR studies

The proposed mechanism for tryptophan synthase shows βLys87 playing multiple catalytic roles: it bonds to the PLP cofactor, activates C4′ for nucleophilic attack via a protonated Schiff base nitrogen, and abstracts and returns protons to PLP-bound substrates (i.e. acid–base catalysis). ε-15N-lysine TS was prepared to access the protonation state of βLys87 using 15N solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (SSNMR) spectroscopy for three quasi-stable intermediates along the reaction pathway. These experiments establish that the protonation state of the ε-amino group switches between protonated and neutral states as the β-site undergoes conversion from one intermediate to the next during catalysis, corresponding to mechanistic steps where this lysine residue has been anticipated to play alternating acid and base catalytic roles that help steer reaction specificity in tryptophan synthase catalysis. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Cofactor-dependent proteins: evolution, chemical diversity and bio-applications. Guest Editors: Andrea Mozzarelli and Loredano Pollegioni.

Oligomeric complexes of some heteroaromatic ligands and aromatic diamines with rhodium and molybdenum tetracarboxylates: 13 C and 15 N CPMAS NMR and density functional theory studies

Seven new oligomeric complexes of 4,4'-bipyridine; 3,3'-bipyridine; benzene-1,4-diamine; benzene-1,3-diamine; benzene-1,2-diamine; and benzidine with rhodium tetraacetate, as well as 4,4'-bipyridine with molybdenum tetraacetate, have been obtained and investigated by elemental analysis and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, (13)C and (15)N CPMAS NMR. The known complexes of pyrazine with rhodium tetrabenzoate, benzoquinone with rhodium tetrapivalate, 4,4'-bipyridine with molybdenum tetrakistrifluoroacetate and the 1 : 1 complex of 2,2'-bipyridine with rhodium tetraacetate exhibiting axial-equatorial ligation mode have been obtained as well for comparison purposes. Elemental analysis revealed 1 : 1 complex stoichiometry of all complexes. The (15)N CPMAS NMR spectra of all new complexes consist of one narrow signal, indicating regular uniform structures. Benzidine forms a heterogeneous material, probably containing linear oligomers and products of further reactions. The complexes were characterized by the parameter complexation shift Δδ (Δδ = δcomplex - δligand). This parameter ranged from around -40 to -90 ppm in the case of heteroaromatic ligands, from around -12 to -22 ppm for diamines and from -16 to -31 ppm for the complexes of molybdenum tetracarboxylates with 4,4'-bipyridine. The experimental results have been supported by a density functional theory computation of (15)N NMR chemical shifts and complexation shifts at the non-relativistic Becke, three-parameter, Perdew-Wang 91/[6-311++G(2d,p), Stuttgart] and GGA-PBE/QZ4P levels of theory and at the relativistic scalar and spin-orbit zeroth order regular approximation/GGA-PBE/QZ4P level of theory. Nucleus-independent chemical shifts have been calculated for the selected compounds.

Natural abundance 15N NMR by dynamic nuclear polarization: fast analysis of binding sites of a novel amine-carboxyl-linked immobilized dirhodium catalyst.

A novel heterogeneous dirhodium catalyst has been synthesized. This stable catalyst is constructed from dirhodium acetate dimer (Rh2(OAc)4) units, which are covalently linked to amine- and carboxyl-bifunctionalized mesoporous silica (SBA-15-NH2-COOH). It shows good efficiency in catalyzing the cyclopropanation reaction of styrene and ethyl diazoacetate (EDA) forming cis- and trans-1-ethoxycarbonyl-2-phenylcyclopropane. To characterize the structure of this catalyst and to confirm the successful immobilization, heteronuclear solid-state NMR experiments have been performed. The high application potential of dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) NMR for the analysis of binding sites in this novel catalyst is demonstrated. Signal-enhanced (13)C CP MAS and (15)N CP MAS techniques have been employed to detect different carboxyl and amine binding sites in natural abundance on a fast time scale. The interpretation of the experimental chemical shift values for different binding sites has been corroborated by quantum chemical calculations on dirhodium model complexes.

Intermolecular Packing in B. mori Silk Fibroin: Multinuclear NMR Study of the Model Peptide (Ala-Gly)15 Defines a Heterogeneous Antiparallel Antipolar Mode of Assembly in the Silk II Form

We have previously suggested that crystalline Bombyx mori silk in silk II form (the silk structure after spinning) is not a simple antiparallel β-sheet but is intrinsically heterogeneous. Using the peptide (AG)15, we have obtained the first fully assigned high resolution solid state 1H NMR spectrum. Distinct heterogeneity was observed, in both 1H and 13C CP/MAS signals. Based on these results, a new model is proposed that contains two different packing arrangements of antiparallel β-sheets. The structures were energetically minimized by CASTEP calculation and used to calculate the solid state 1H, 13C, and 15N NMR chemical shifts using the GIPAW method. This new model was supported by good agreement between the calculated and observed 1H, 13C, and 15N chemical shifts and relative 1H–1H proximities obtained from 2D 1H DQMAS experiments. We conclude that the intermolecular packing of B. mori silk fibroin has been finally resolved.

Synthesis and physico-chemical studies of a novel layered structure with a heptanuclear Cd complex: (C9N4H28)Cd7(H2O)2Cl18·nH2O(n = 5.89)

The inorganic–organic hybrid compound (C9N4H28)Cd7(H2O)2Cl18·nH2O(n=5.89) features an unusual cadmium chloride structure. The title complex adopts a layered structure consisting of double-chains and tetramers of [Cdϕ6] (ϕ=Cl, O) octahedra. Crystallization water molecules and [C9H28N4]4+ tetracations are located in interstices of the successive corrugated layers. This compound has also been investigated by FT-IR and solid-state 13C, 15N CP-MAS and 2D 13C-H NMR spectroscopies.