Chemical Shift Trends Research Articles

(Invited) Advances in Photon-Harvesting Technologies for Perovskite Absorbers and Water Splitting Reactions

Hybrid halide perovskites have made significant progress in power conversion efficiencies (> 25 %) and high stability achieved through chemical engineering of the AMX3 composition. Compositional engineering of perovskite precursor inks minimizes batch-to-batch variations and fluctuation in PCE values, however the understanding of perovskite inks and solution behavior remains a key step towards the exploitation of solution-processed perovskite devices. Herein, a comprehensive 207Pb nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) study performed on various lead perovskite precursor inks will be presented. The NMR data provide fresh insights in identifying molecular species that are invariably and predominantly formed in precursor mixtures to coexist with larger networks and colloids. The solution chemistry of PbI2+I- is dominated by the type of connectivity as edge- face- and corner-sharing (PbI6)-octahedra and their dimensionality. The trends in the 207Pb chemical shifts revealed dynamic equilibria in the inks that can be controlled by stoichiometry, nature of the solvents and temperature. Furthermore, perovskite precursor ink development can be applied to fabricate devices beyond the planar device structures, such as direct electrospinning of the three major perovskite solar cell components, namely, photo absorber, hole, and electron transport materials, as continuous single triaxial fibers of μm radial dimensions. These perovskite fibers lay the foundation of materials engineering for fabricating tiny solar cells, which can either be woven into fabrics or incorporated as single fibers to power wearables and a variety of devices or sensors, forming the internet of things. They are also suited for tandem PV-PEC set-up for solar-assisted photoelectrochemical production of hydrogen by water-splitting reactions.

Where Are Sodium Ions in AOT Reverse Micelles? Fluoride Anion Probes Nanoconfined Ions by 19F Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy.

Confining water to nanosized spaces creates a unique environment that can change water's structural and dynamic properties. When ions are present in these nanoscopic spaces, the limited number of water molecules and short screening length can dramatically affect how ions are distributed compared to the homogeneous distribution assumed in bulk aqueous solution. Here, we demonstrate that the chemical shift observed in 19F NMR spectroscopy of fluoride anion, F-, probes the location of sodium ions, Na+, confined in reverse micelles prepared from AOT (sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate) surfactants. Our measurements show that the nanoconfined environment of reverse micelles can lead to extremely high apparent ion concentrations and ionic strength, beyond the limit in bulk aqueous solutions. Most notably, the 19F NMR chemical shift trends we observe for F- in the reverse micelles indicate that the AOT sodium counterions remain at or near the interior interface between surfactant and water, thus providing the first experimental support for this hypothesis.

Untying the Cesium "Not": Cesium-Iodoplumbate Complexation in Perovskite Solution-Processing Inks Has Implications for Crystallization.

We illustrate the critical importance of the energetics of cation-solvent versus cation-iodoplumbate interactions in determining the stability of ABX3 perovskite precursors in a dimethylformamide (DMF) solvent medium. We have shown, through a complementary suite of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and computational studies, that Cs+ exhibits significantly different solvent vs iodoplumbate interactions compared to organic A+-site cations such as CH3NH3+ (MA+). Two NMR studies were conducted: 133Cs NMR analysis shows that Cs+ and MA+ compete for coordination with PbI3- in DMF. 207Pb NMR studies of PbI2 with cationic iodides show that perovskite-forming Cs+ (and, somewhat, Rb+) do not comport with the 207Pb chemical shift trend found for Li+, Na+, and K+. Three independent computational approaches (density functional theory (DFT), ab initio Molecular Dynamics (AIMD), and a polarizable force field within Molecular Dynamics) yielded strikingly similar results: Cs+ interacts more strongly with the PbI3- iodoplumbate than does MA+ in a polar solvent environment like DMF. The stronger energy preference for PbI3- coordination of Cs+ vs MA+ in DMF demonstrates that Cs+ is not simply a postcrystallization cation "fit" for the perovskite A+-site. Instead, it may facilitate preorganization of the framework precursor that eventually transforms into the crystalline perovskite structure.

Silica incorporation into sodium aluminum phosphate glasses: Structural characterization by Raman spectroscopy and multinuclear solid-state NMR

Optical fiber glasses in the system (59-xP2O5)-xSiO2–13Al2O3-28Na2O show non-linear trends in the glass-transition temperatures, thermal expansion coefficients, and weathering stabilities. The structural origins have been studied using solid-state NMR and Raman spectroscopies on a series of bulk glasses with 0 ≤ x ≤ 13. Two types of P2 units – those dominantly interacting with Na+and those interacting more strongly with Al can be differentiated by 31P{23Na} and 31P{27Al} double resonance experiments. Silicon is four-coordinated, fully polymerized, and engaged in Si-O-P linkages. Trends in the 29Si chemical shifts and the 31P-31P dipolar interaction strengths are related to the Si-O-P, Si-O-Al, and P-O-P connectivity distributions, providing a rationale for changes in macroscopic properties.

Site preferences and ion dynamics in lithium chalcohalide solid solutions with argyrodite structure: II. Multinuclear solid state NMR of the systems Li6PS5−x Se x Cl and Li6PS5−x Se x Br

Abstract A comprehensive multinuclear (7Li, 31P, 35Cl, 77Se, 79Br) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) study has been conducted to characterize local structural configurations and atomic distributions in the crystallographically disordered solid solutions of composition Li6PS5−x Se x X (0 ≤ x ≤ 1, X = Cl, Br) with the Argyrodite structure. In contrast to the situation with the corresponding iodide homologs, there is no structural ordering between the 4a and 4c sites, with the halide ions occupying both of them with close to statistical probabilities. Nevertheless, throughout the composition range, the 16e Wyckoff sites of the Argyrodite structure are exclusively occupied by the chalcogen atoms, forming PY4 3− (Y = S, Se) tetrahedra, indicating the absence of P-halogen bonds. 31P magic-angle spinning (MAS)-NMR can serve to differentiate between the various possible PS4−n Se n 3− tetrahedral units in a quantitative fashion. Compared to the case of the anion-ordered Li6PS5−x Se x I solid solutions, the preference of P–S over P–Se bonding is significantly stronger, but it is weaker than in the halide free solid solutions Li7PS6−x Se x . Each individual PS4−n Se n 3− tetrahedron is represented by a peak cluster of up to five resonances, representing the five different configurations in which the PY4 3− ions are surrounded by the four closest chalcogenide and halide anions occupying the 4c sites; this distribution is close to statistical and can be used to deduce deviations of sample compositions from ideal stoichiometry. Non-linear 7Li chemical shift trends as a function of x are interpreted to indicate that the Coulombic traps created by sulfur-rich PS4−n Se n 3− ions (n ≤ 2) within the energy landscape of the lithium ions are deeper than those of the other anionic species present (i.e., selenium-richer PY4 3− tetrahedra, isolated chalcogenide or iodide ions), causing the Li+ ions to spend on average more time near them. Temperature dependent static 7Li NMR linewidths indicate higher mobility in the present systems than in the previously studied Li6PS5−x Se x I solid solutions. Unlike the situation in Li6PS5−x Se x I no rate distinction between intra-cage and inter-cage ionic motion is evident. Lithium ionic mobility increases with increasing selenium content. This effect can be attributed to the influences of higher anionic polarizability and a widening of the lithium ion migration pathways caused by lattice expansion. The results offer interesting new insights into the structure/ionic mobility correlations in this new class of compounds.

Site preferences and ion dynamics in lithium chalcohalide solid solutions with argyrodite structure: I. A multinuclear solid state NMR study of the system Li6PS5-xSexI and of Li6AsS5I

Abstract A comprehensive multinuclear (7Li, 31P, 75As, 77Se, 127I) NMR study has been conducted to characterize local structural configurations and atomic distributions in the crystallographically ordered solid solutions of composition Li6PS5-x Se x I (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) and in Li6AsS5I. Throughout the composition range, structural ordering between the atoms on the Wyckoff sites 4a and 4c is maintained, with the I− ions exclusively occupying the 4a sites. 31P magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS NMR) can serve to differentiate between the various possible PS4-n Se n 3− tetrahedral units in a quantitative fashion, indicating a preference of P-S relative to P-Se bonding. Each individual PS4-n Se n 3− tetrahedron is represented by a peak cluster containing up to five resonances, representing the five different configurations in which the PCh4 3− units are surrounded by the four closest chalcogenide anions occupying the 4c sites; the distribution of S2− and Se2− over these sites is close to statistical. Non-linear 7Li chemical shift trends as a function of x are interpreted to indicate that the Coulombic traps created by sulfur-rich PS4-n Se n 3− ions (n ≥ 2) within the energy landscape of the lithium ions are deeper than those of the other anionic species present (i.e. selenium-richer PCh4 3− tetrahedra, isolated chalcogenide or iodide ions), causing the Li+ ions to spend on average more time near them. Temperature dependent static 7Li NMR linewidths measured on Li6PS5I and Li6AsS5I indicate a two-step motional narrowing process characterized by a clear dynamic distinction between a more rapid localized intra-cage process and a slower, long-range inter-cage process. In the solid solutions this differentiation gradually disappears, leading to an overall increase of lithium ionic mobility with increasing selenium content, which can be attributed to the influences of higher anionic polarizability and a widening of the lithium migration pathways caused by lattice expansion. Furthermore, the low-temperature phase transition in Li6PS5I, which tends to immobilize the lithium ions below 170 K, is suppressed in the solid solutions. The results offer interesting new insights into the -structure/ionic mobility correlations in this new class of compounds.

Decoupling the effects of defects on efficiency and stability through phosphonates in stable halide perovskite solar cells

Summary Understanding defects is of paramount importance for the development of stable halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, isolating their distinctive effects on device efficiency and stability is currently a challenge. We report that adding the organic molecule 3-phosphonopropionic acid (H3pp) to the halide perovskite results in unchanged overall optoelectronic performance while having a tremendous effect on device stability. We obtained PSCs with ∼21% efficiency that retain ∼100% of the initial efficiency after 1,000 h at the maximum power point under simulated AM1.5G illumination. The strong interaction between the perovskite and the H3pp molecule through two types of hydrogen bonds (H…I and O…H) leads to shallow point defect passivation that has a significant effect on device stability but not on the non-radiative recombination and device efficiency. We expect that our work will have important implications for the current understanding and advancement of operational PSCs.

Binding Orientation of a Ruthenium-Based Water Oxidation Catalyst on a CdS QD Surface Revealed by NMR Spectroscopy.

We report on the binding of a Ru-based water oxidation catalyst (WOC) to CdS quantum dots (QDs) revealed by 1H NMR spectroscopy. Spin centers within the WOC exhibit correlated trends in chemical shift and T2 lifetime shortening upon QD binding. These effects are a highly directional function of proton position within the WOC, thus uncovering orientation information relative to the QD surface. The data suggest that the WOC interacts with the QD surface via the Ru terpyridine ligand, an unexpected orientation that has important implications for interfacial charge transfer and subsequent catalysis. This binding motif enables strong enough donor-acceptor electronic coupling for ultrafast photoinduced hole transfer while maintaining electronically distinct functional subunits.

Half-Heusler thermoelectric materials: NMR studies

We report 59Co, 93Nb, and 121Sb nuclear magnetic resonance measurements combined with density functional theory (DFT) calculations on a series of half-Heusler semiconductors, including NbCoSn, ZrCoSb, TaFeSb, and NbFeSb, to better understand their electronic properties and general composition-dependent trends. These materials are of interest as potentially high efficiency thermoelectric materials. Compared to the other materials, we find that ZrCoSb tends to have a relatively large amount of local disorder, apparently antisite defects. This contributes to a small excitation gap corresponding to an impurity band near the band edge. In NbCoSn and TaFeSb, Curie–Weiss-type behavior is revealed, which indicates a small density of interacting paramagnetic defects. Very large paramagnetic chemical shifts are observed associated with a Van Vleck mechanism due to closely spaced d bands splitting between the conduction and valence bands. Meanwhile, DFT methods were generally successful in reproducing the chemical shift trend for these half-Heusler materials, and we identify enhancement of the larger-magnitude shifts, which we connect to electron interaction effects. The general trend is connected to changes in d-electron hybridization across the series.

13C and 207Pb NMR Chemical Shifts of Dirhodio- and Dilithioplumbole Complexes: A Quantum Chemical Assessment.

Density functional theory (DFT) and zeroth-order regular approximation DFT calculations were performed to investigate the electronic structures and 13C and 207Pb nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) chemical shifts of metal-coordinated plumboles, namely, monorhodioplumbole ([Rh-plumbole]-), dirhodioplumbole (Rh2-plumbole), and dilithioplumbole (Li2-plumbole), which have a five-membered ring containing lead. The molecular orbital correlation diagram and extended transition state-natural orbitals for chemical valence analysis of the [Rh-plumbole]- and Rh2-plumbole complexes showed that the plumbole is primarily a π-donor, with π-donation being dominant in the Rh2-plumbole complex. The present calculations show that the Pb-Cα internuclear distances are longer in the Rh2-plumbole complex than in [Rh-plumbole]- because of the combined effect of strong π-donation and weak π-back-donation in the Rh2-plumbole complex. The calculated 207Pb and 13Cα NMR chemical shifts agree with the experimental trends reasonably well. The influences of the relativistic effect, role of the functional, effect of the solvent, and dependence of the exact exchange admixture on the calculated 207Pb and 13Cα NMR chemical shifts were investigated. The NMR chemical shift trend of the 207Pb atom in the complexes originates from the paramagnetic and spin-orbit contributions. NMR component analysis revealed that the upfield shift of the 13Cα atoms of the [Rh-plumbole]- and Rh2-plumbole complexes compared to that of the Li2-plumbole complex is mainly due to the decrease in the paramagnetic term.

Assessing Potential Oligomerization Reaction Mechanisms of Isoprene Epoxydiols on Secondary Organic Aerosol.

Extensive studies of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation have identified isoprene epoxydiol (IEPOX) intermediates as key species in the formation of isoprene-derived SOA. Recent work has suggested that isoprene-derived dimers and oligomers may constitute a significant fraction of SOA, but a mechanism for the formation of such abundant SOA components has yet to be established. The potential for dimer formation from the nucleophilic addition of 2-methyltetrol to trans-β-IEPOX was assessed through a series of model epoxide-nucleophile experiments using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. These experiments helped establish a rigorous understanding of structural, stereochemical, and NMR chemical shift trends, which were used along with nucleophilic strength calculations to interpret the results of the trans-β-IEPOX + 2-methyltetrol reaction and evaluate its relevance in the atmosphere. A preference for less sterically hindered nucleophiles was observed in all model systems. In all addition products, a significant increase in NMR chemical shift was observed directly adjacent to the epoxide-nucleophile linkage, with smaller decreases in chemical shift at all other sites. A partial NMR assignment of a single trans-β-IEPOX + 2-methyltetrol nucleophilic addition product was obtained, but nucleophilic strength calculations suggest that 2-methyltetrol is a poor nucleophile. Therefore, this reaction is unlikely to significantly contribute to dimer and oligomer formation on SOA. Nevertheless, the structural and stereochemical considerations, NMR assignments, and NMR chemical shift trends reported here will prove useful in future attempts to synthesize dimer and oligomer analytical standards.

Crystal structures of chiral 2-[bis-(2-chloro-eth-yl)amino]-1,3,2-oxaza-phospho-lidin-2-one derivatives for the absolute configuration at phospho-rus.

'Nitro-gen mustard' bis-(2-chloro-eth-yl)amine derivatives (2R,4S,5R)- and (2S,4S,5R)-2-[bis-(2-chloro-eth-yl)amino]-3,4-dimethyl-5-phenyl-1,3,2-oxaza-phos-pho-lidin-2-one (2a and 2b, respectively), C14H21Cl2N2O2P, and (2R,4R)- and (2S,4R)-2-[bis-(2-chloro-eth-yl)amino]-4-isobutyl-1,3,2-oxaza-phospho-lidin-2-one (3a and 3b, respectively), C10H21Cl2N2O2P, were synthesized as a mixture of diastereomers through a 1:1 reaction of enanti-omerically pure chiral amino alcohols with bis-(2-chloro-eth-yl)phospho-ramidic dichloride. Flash column chromatography yielded diastereomerically pure products, as supported by 31P NMR. The crystal structures of 2b and 3b were obtained to determine their absolute configuration at phospho-rus, and 31P NMR chemical shift trends are proposed based on the spatial relationship of the bis-(2-chloro-eth-yl)amine moiety and the chiral substituent of the amino alcohol. Oxaza-phospho-lidinones were observed to have a more downfield 31P NMR chemical shift when the aforementioned substituents are in a syn configuration and vice versa for when they are anti.

Structure of P2O5–SiO2 Pure Network Former Glasses Studied by Solid State NMR Spectroscopy

The structure of binary (SiO2)100-x–(P2O5)x glasses has been investigated by Raman scattering, 29Si and 31P magic angle spinning (MAS) as well as static 31P NMR spectroscopy. 29Si chemical shift trends reflect the successive replacement of Si–O–Si by Si–O–P linkages as the compositional parameter x is increased. While 31P MAS NMR does not resolve separate phosphate species, the static 31P NMR lineshapes were successfully simulated by considering the effect of uncorrelated distribution functions of the chemical shift tensor components upon the line shape. On the basis of these simulations, which were also found to be consistent with the experimental 31P MAS NMR spectra, two distinct sites can be resolved: a dominant site characterized by an axially symmetric chemical shift tensor, assigned to P(3) units, and (only in the case of the x = 25 and 30 glasses) a Gaussian component reflecting phosphate species interacting with five- and six-coordinated silicon species. For 0 ≤ x < 25, the decrease in average coo...

Relativistic Spin-Orbit Heavy Atom on the Light Atom NMR Chemical Shifts: General Trends Across the Periodic Table Explained.

The importance of relativistic effects on the NMR parameters in heavy-atom (HA) compounds, particularly the SO-HALA (Spin-Orbit Heavy Atom on the Light Atom) effect on NMR chemical shifts, has been known for about 40 years. Yet, a general correlation between the electronic structure and SO-HALA effect has been missing. By analyzing 1H NMR chemical shifts of the sixth-period hydrides (Cs-At), we discovered general electronic-structure principles and mechanisms that dictate the size and sign of the SO-HALA NMR chemical shifts. In brief, partially occupied HA valence shells induce relativistic shielding at the light atom (LA) nuclei, while empty HA valence shells induce relativistic deshielding. In particular, the LA nucleus is relativistically shielded in 5d2-5d8 and 6p4 HA hydrides and deshielded in 4f0, 5d0, 6s0, and 6p0 HA hydrides. This general and intuitive concept explains periodic trends in the 1H NMR chemical shifts along the sixth-period hydrides (Cs-At) studied in this work. We present substantial evidence that the introduced principles have a general validity across the periodic table and can be extended to nonhydride LAs. The decades-old question of why compounds with occupied frontier π molecular orbitals (MOs) cause SO-HALA shielding at the LA nuclei, while the frontier σ MOs cause deshielding is answered. We further derive connection between the SO-HALA NMR chemical shifts and Spin-Orbit-induced Electron Deformation Density (SO-EDD), a property that can be obtained easily from differential electron densities and can be represented graphically. SO-EDD provides an intuitive understanding of the SO-HALA effect in terms of the depletion/concentration of the electron density at LA nuclei caused by spin-orbit coupling due to HA in the presence of a magnetic field. Using an analogy between the SO-EDD concept and arguments from classic NMR theory, the complex question of the SO-HALA NMR chemical shifts becomes easily understandable for a wide chemical audience.

NMR spectroscopy of the phenyl derivative of germanium(IV) 5,10,15-tritolylcorrole

A thoroughly structural characterization of (TTC)GePh (TTC [Formula: see text] 5,10,15-tritolylcorrole; Ph [Formula: see text] phenyl) in solution has been carried out through a combination of 2D NMR (1H-1H COSY, 1H-1H ROESY, 1H-[Formula: see text]C HSQC and 1H-[Formula: see text]C HMBC) experiments and density functional theory (DFT) calculations of the molecular and electronic structure and the shielding constants. The 1H and [Formula: see text]C chemical shifts computed at DFT-S12g and DFT-SAOP levels of theory nicely reproduce the experimental values, the agreement between theory and experiment being especially good for the DFT-S12g results. The calculations prove to be able to capture the fine details of the NMR spectra and to resolve some assignment ambiguities related to the inherent conformational flexibility of the macrocycle. The calculations also provide an explanation of the observed chemical shift trends in terms of diamagnetic and paramagnetic components of the shielding tensor.

Probing the Salt‐Metathesis Route to Bis­(aryl)calcium Compounds: Structure of an Arylcalcate Complex

Abstract1,3‐Diisopropoxybenzene can be selectively metalated by nBuLi or by the superbase mixtures nBuLi/NaOC(Me)2Et or nBuLi/KOC(Me)2Et to give 2,6‐diisopropoxyphenyllithium (71 %), 2,6‐diisopropoxyphenylsodium (61 %), or 2,6‐diisopropoxyphenylpotassium (59 %) as isolated products. The attempted synthesis of bis(2,6‐diisopropoxyphenyl)calcium by the salt metathesis route using 2,6‐diisopropoxyphenylsodium and CaI2 gave an undefined mixture of products, whereas the attempted synthesis of bis(2,6‐diisopropoxyphenyl)calcium by the same approach using 2,6‐diisopropoxyphenylpotassium and CaI2 gave the calcate complex [{(iPrO)2C6H3}3Ca]–K+, which is the first arylcalcate complex to have been structurally characterized. The trend in the 13C NMR chemical shifts of the aryl Cipso atoms shows that the calcate complex displays an aryl–metal bond polarity (nucleophilicity/basicity) similar to that in arylsodium compounds.

Mixed network former effects in tellurite glass systems: Structure/property correlations in the system (Na2O)1/3[(2TeO2)x(B2O3)1 − x]2/3

Mixed-network former effects upon glass transition temperatures, densities and electrical conductivities have been studied in glasses in the system (Na2O)1/3[(2TeO2)x(B2O3)1−x]2/3. Mixing of network formers B2O3 and TeO2 has a negative effect on ionic conductivities. Possible structural origins of this behavior have been studied by 11B, 23Na, and 125Te high-resolution and dipolar solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques, O-1s X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. A quantitative structural model has been developed that is consistent with all of the experimental data, and provides a detailed description of network modification processes, interactions and connectivities. All the O-1s XP spectra can be satisfactorily fitted with two line shape components with the parameters of the binary end-member glasses, providing no evidence for the possible formation of B–O–Te linkages. In addition, none of the 125Te and 11B NMR data shows significant proof of such linkages, even though their formation cannot be explicitly excluded. 23Na NMR data indicate a monotonic chemical shift trend consistent with proportional sharing of the network modifier between the two network former species. The experimental data suggest a tendency towards an avoidance of B–O–Te linkages, even though no macroscopic phase separation is observed. Nevertheless, the negative mixed network former effect can be rationalized in terms of compositionally segregated sodium borate and sodium tellurite nano-domains.

Influence of structural isomerism and fluorine atom substitution on the self-association of naphthoic acid.

The self-association of small aromatic systems driven by π-π stacking and hydrophobic interactions is well-known. Understanding the nature of these interactions is important if they are to be used to control association. Here, we present results of an NMR study into the self-association of two isomers of naphthoic acid along with an investigation into the role of a fluorine substituent on that self-association. We interpret the results in terms of a simple isodesmic model of self-association and show that the addition of the fluorine atom appears to increase the stability of the aggregates by an order of magnitude (e.g., 1-naphthoic acid vs 4-fluoro-1-naphthoic acid, Keq = 0.05 increases to 0.35 M(-1)), a result which is supported by computational studies in the literature on the role of substituent effects on interaction energy. The use of fluorinated isomers to probe the assembly is also presented, with differing trends in fluorine-19 chemical shifts observed depending on the isomer substitution pattern.

Density Functional Theory Study of the Effects of Substituents on the Carbon-13 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Chemical Shifts of Asphaltene Model Compounds

Petroleum asphaltenes are a complex mixture of organic molecules containing mainly fused polyaromatic and naphthenic systems and pendant chains, polar moieties with heteroatoms (S, N, and O), and transition metals. A variety of spectroscopic techniques has been employed to characterize asphaltenes, but their structures remain largely elusive because of the complexity, variety of samples, and assignment limitations. Carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (13C NMR) spectroscopy has contributed extensively to asphaltene characterization. However, proper assignment of 13C NMR spectra is very challenging because spectra of natural asphaltenes feature a large number of peaks in unusual environments, which may be hard to assign and interpret. We employ the dispersion-corrected ωB97X-D density functional with 6-31G(d,p) basis set to rationalize common trends in the 13C NMR chemical shifts of asphaltene model compounds. The calculated 13C NMR chemical shifts for a calibration series of 14 aromatic and heterocyclic reference compounds containing C atoms of types similar to those in the asphaltene model compounds are found to correlate linearly with the respective experimental values. The linear fitting yields a correlation coefficient of R2 = 0.99 and absolute errors of less than 10 ppm. Moreover, we calculate and calibrate the 13C chemical shifts of asphaltenes extracted from Brazilian vacuum residues to analyze and correlate the C atom types with those of the reference compounds. It is found that the presence of heteroatoms as well as environments with a high aromatic condensation index can significantly affect the chemical shifts. The effect of heteroatoms on the chemical shift, a situation that has scarcely been addressed in the literature, is evaluated here in detail. The results are intended to help interpret 13C NMR spectra and allow for a more complete characterization of asphaltene molecules.

Unification of the point charge electrostatic model with the chemical shift model for lanthanide 5d states

The relationship between the chemical shift of the 5d-electron binding energy and the 5d-electron 10Dq crystal field splitting for Ce3+ and Eu2+ in octahedral, cubic and cuboctahedral configuration has been investigated. The traditional point charge electrostatic model (PCEM) largely underestimates the size of the 10Dq crystal field splitting, and it also does not correctly reproduce how 10Dq changes with lanthanide charge. In the recently proposed chemical shift model to determine the absolute 4f and 5d electron binding energies a screening charge of equal but opposite size than the lanthanide charge, that is located at a screening distance slightly larger than the radius of the lanthanide, was introduced to derive electron binding energies. Here we will demonstrate that when similar concepts are introduced for the PCEM, much better 10Dq values are obtained. We will further establish that trends in chemical shift with varying chemical environment, that are strongly related to the nephelauxetic effect, also appear in the value for 10Dq.