Predicting 35-Cl electric field gradient tensors in crystalline solids using cluster and fragment-corrected planewave density functional theory.

Planewave-corrected methods have proven effective for accurately modeling nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) parameters in crystalline systems. Recent work extended the application of planewave-corrected calculations beyond the second row, predicting EFG tensor parameters for 35Cl using a simple molecular correction to projector augmented-wave (PAW) density functional theory (DFT). Here we extend this work using fragment and cluster-based calculations coupled with polarizable continuum (PCM) methods to improve further the accuracy of planewave-corrected 35Cl EFG tensor calculations. Benchmark data from a test set comprised of 105 individual 35Cl EFG tensor principal components for chlorine-containing molecular crystals and crystalline chloride salts shows fragment-corrected planewave calculations using the PBE0 hybrid density functional improve the accuracy of predicted EFG tensor components by 30 % relative to traditional planewave calculations. We compare the influence of different geometry optimization methods and density functionals on the accuracy of predicted 35Cl EFG tensor parameters. Four cases of spectral assignment are presented to demonstrate the utility of improving the accuracy of predicted 35Cl EFG tensor parameters.

Can simple 'molecular' corrections outperform projector augmented-wave density functional theory in the prediction of 35 Cl electric field gradient tensor parameters for chlorine-containing crystalline systems?

Many-body expansion (MBE) fragment approaches have been applied to accurately compute nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) parameters in crystalline systems. Recent examples demonstrate that electric field gradient (EFG) tensor parameters can be accurately calculated for 14 N and 17 O. A key additional development is the simple molecular correction (SMC) approach, which uses two one-body fragment (i.e., isolated molecule) calculations to adjust NMR parameter values established using 'benchmark' projector augmented-wave (PAW) density functional theory (DFT) values. Here, we apply a SMC using the hybrid PBE0 exchange-correlation (XC) functional to see if this can improve the accuracy of calculated 35 Cl EFG tensor parameters. We selected eight organic and two inorganic crystal structures and considered 15 chlorine sites. We find that this SMC improves the accuracy of computed values for both the 35 Cl quadrupolar coupling constant (CQ ) and the asymmetry parameter ( η Q ) by approximately 30% compared with benchmark PAW DFT values. We also assessed a SMC that offers local improvements not only in terms of the quality of the XC functional but simultaneously in the quality of the description of relativistic effects via the inclusion of spin-orbit effects. As the inorganic systems considered contain heavy atoms bonded to the chlorine atoms, we find further improvements in the accuracy of calculated 35 Cl EFG tensor parameters when both a hybrid functional and spin-orbit effects are included in the SMC. On the contrary, for chlorine-containing organics, the inclusion of spin-orbit relativistic effects using a SMC does not improve the accuracy of computed 35 Cl EFG tensor parameters.

Confined Lewis Pairs: Investigation of the X- →Si20 Interaction in Halogen-Encapsulating Silafulleranes.

A joint theoretical and experimental study on 32 endohedral silafullerane derivatives [X@Si20 Y20 ]- (X=F-I; Y=F-I, H, Me, Et) and T h ${T_h }$ -[Cl@Si20 H12 Y8 ]- (Y=F-I) is presented. First, we evaluated the structure-determining template effect of Cl- in a systematic series of concave silapolyquinane model systems. Second, we investigated the X- →Si20 interaction energy ( E int ${E_{{\rm{int}}} }$ ) as a function of X- and Y and found the largest E int ${E_{{\rm{int}}} }$ values for electron-withdrawing exohedral substituents Y. Given that X- ions can be considered as Lewis bases and empty Si20 Y20 clusters as Lewis acids, we classify our inseparable host-guest complexes [X@Si20 Y20 ]- as "confined Lewis pairs". Third, 35 Cl NMR spectroscopy proved to be highly diagnostic for an experimental assessment of the Cl- →Si20 interaction as the paramagnetic shielding and, in turn, δ ${\delta }$ (35 Cl) of the endohedral Cl- ion correlate inversely with E int ${E_{{\rm{int}}} }$ . Finally, we disclose the synthesis of [PPN][Cl@Si20 Y20 ] (Y=Me, Et, Br) and provide a thorough characterization of these new silafulleranes.

Quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance of chloride by an accurate internal standard approach.

Chloride is the most common counterion used to improve aqueous solubility and enhance stability of small molecule active pharmaceutical ingredients. While several analytical techniques, such as titration, HPLC with charged aerosol detection, and ion chromatography, are currently utilized to assay the level of chloride, they have notable limitations, and these instruments may not be readily available. Here, we present a generally applicable 35 Cl solution NMR method to assay the level of chloride in pharmaceutical compounds. The method uses KClO4 as an internal standard for improved accuracy in comparison with external standard methods, and it was found to be robust, linear over three orders of magnitude, precise (<3% RSD), and accurate (<0.5% absolute error).

C- and N-Phosphorylated Enamines-An Avenue to Heterocycles: NMR Spectroscopy.

The review presents extensive data (from the works of the author and literature) on the structure of C- and N-chlorophosphorylated enamines and the related heterocycles obtained by multipulse multinuclear 1H, 13C, and 31P NMR spectroscopy. The use of phosphorus pentachloride as a phosphorylating agent for functional enamines enables the synthesis of various C- and N-phosphorylated products that are heterocyclized to form various promising nitrogen- and phosphorus-containing heterocyclic systems. 31P NMR spectroscopy is the most convenient, reliable and unambiguous method for the study and identification of organophosphorus compounds with different coordination numbers of the phosphorus atom, as well as for the determination of their Z- and E-isomeric forms. An alteration of the coordination number of the phosphorus atom in the phosphorylated compounds from 3 to 6 leads to a drastic screening of the 31P nucleus from about +200 to -300 ppm. The unique structural features of nitrogen-phosphorus-containing heterocyclic compounds are discussed.

Polynomial coefficients. Application to spin-spin splitting by N equivalent nuclei of spin I > 1/2.

The NMR intensity pattern of a nucleus split by N identical nuclei of spin 1/2 is given by the binomial coefficients. These are conveniently obtained from Pascal's triangle, equivalent to the chemist's branching diagram. Much less well-known is the pattern from splitting by N identical nuclei of spin I > 1/2. This was originally presented in terms of multinomial coefficients, but polynomial coefficients are more convenient. These describe the number of ways that N objects can be distributed to 2I + 1 numbered boxes. They arise in the polynomial expansion and are conveniently obtained from generalizations of Pascal's triangle. Examples and predictions are given.

A model to describe the inhomogeneous broadening of NQR lines in chlorohalobenzenes with orientational or substitutional disorder.

A simple model to explain the NQR lineshape in solids with orientational disorder or substitutional disorder is presented. The particular case of m-chlorobromobenzene is studied. It is based on the assumption that Bromine atoms, of m-chlorobromobenzene molecules, behave as point defects in the m-dichlorobenzene lattice that modify the crystalline Electric Field Gradient. The model is also tested successfully in solid solutions of p-dichlorobenzene-p-dibromobenzene, where Bromine atoms of p-dibromobenzene molecules are assumed to be homogeneously distributed in the p-dichlorobenzene lattice. The lineshape, of others disordered chlorohalobenzenes, are also analyzed. Also, a characterization of m-chlorobromobenzene dynamics is included. In particular, there is no evidence of molecular reorientations as it is observed in the disordered phases of o-chlorobromobenzene.

Reprint of: Localization of Cl-35 Nuclei in Biological Solids using Rotational-Echo Double-Resonance Experiments.

Chloride ions play important roles in many chemical and biological processes. This paper investigates the possibility of localizing 35Cl nuclei using solid-state NMR. It demonstrates that distances shorter than 3.8Å, between 13C atoms and 35Cl atoms in 10% uniformly labeled 13C L-tyrosine·HCl and natural abundance Glycine·HCl can be measured using rotational-echo (adiabatic passage) double-resonance (RE(AP)DOR). Furthermore the effect of quadrupolar interaction on the REDOR/REAPDOR experiment is quantified. The dephasing curve is plotted in a three dimensional chart as a function of the dephasing time and of the strength of quadrupolar interaction felt by each orientation. During spinning each orientation feels a quadrupolar interaction that varies in time, and therefore at each moment in time we reorder the crystallite orientations as a function of their contribution to the dephasing curve. In this way the effect of quadrupolar interaction on the dipolar dephasing curve can be fitted with a polynomial function. The numerical investigation performed allows us to generate REDOR/REAPDOR curves which are then used to simulate the experimental data.

Localization of Cl-35 nuclei in biological solids using rotational-echo double-resonance experiments.

Chloride ions play important roles in many chemical and biological processes. This paper investigates the possibility of localizing 35Cl nuclei using solid-state NMR. It demonstrates that distances shorter than 3.8Å, between 13C atoms and 35Cl atoms in 10% uniformly labeled 13C L-tyrosine·HCl and natural abundance Glycine·HCl can be measured using rotational-echo (adiabatic passage) double-resonance (RE(AP)DOR). Furthermore the effect of quadrupolar interaction on the REDOR/REAPDOR experiment is quantified. The dephasing curve is plotted in a three dimensional chart as a function of the dephasing time and of the strength of quadrupolar interaction felt by each orientation. During spinning each orientation feels a quadrupolar interaction that varies in time, and therefore at each moment in time we reorder the crystallite orientations as a function of their contribution to the dephasing curve. In this way the effect of quadrupolar interaction on the dipolar dephasing curve can be fitted with a polynomial function. The numerical investigation performed allows us to generate REDOR/REAPDOR curves which are then used to simulate the experimental data.

Repetitive experiments of one or two-pulse sequences in NQR of spins I=3/2: Liouville space, steady-state, Ernst angle and optimum signal.

In NMR, the repetition of pulse sequences with a recycle time that does not allow the spin system to completely relax back to equilibrium is a well known and often used method to increase the signal to noise ratio at given total measuring time. For isolated spins I=1/2, the steady-state of a train of strictly identical pulse sequences separated by free evolution periods of same duration is described by the well known Ernst-Anderson model, and the optimum pulse angle is given by the Ernst angle. We showed recently that equivalent formula, but with super-operators in the Liouville space, can be obtained for general spins I. In this article, this formalism is generalized to pure NQR of spins I=3/2, and applied to calculate the signal resulting from single and solid-echo sequences, in the limit when the recycle time T>5T2q, where T2q is the transverse (coherence) quadrupolar relaxation time. In particular, we show that powder samples have a behaviour that is very close to NMR of spins I=1/2. For instance, the generalized Ernst angle ßM that maximizes the signal amplitude for a single pulse train is well described by the simple formula cos(1.52ßM)≈exp(-T/T1q), whatever the quadrupolar asymmetry parameter η, T1q being the longitudinal (population) quadrupolar relaxation time. Moreover, a simplified NMR-like formula that describes the overall behaviour of nutation curves is proposed, and it is shown that the signal to noise ratio (SNR) at given experimental time is exactly the same as in NMR of spins I=1/2 as a function of recycle time, when properly normalized. Some theoretical predictions for the single pulse and solid-echo sequence were compared to experiments, and validated, by performing 35Cl pure NQR experiment on chloranil (C6Cl4O2 tetrachloro-1,4-benzoquinone) powder.

Ultra-high resolution band-selective HSQC for nanomole-scale identification of chlorine-substituted 13 C in natural products drug discovery.

Ultra-high resolution band-selective HSQC (bsHSQC) has been employed for detection of 35 Cl-37 Cl isotope shifted 13 C NMR signals for assignment of regioisomerism in bromo-chloro natural products. Optimum pulse sequence and instrumental parameters for maximization of detection of the isotope shifts were explored. The chlorine isotope shifts (Δδ) were detected within crosspeaks and were shown to vary with hybridization of 13 C, substitution of 13 C, presence of ß-chloro substituents, and their relative configuration. Deconvolution of Cl-substituted CH bsHSQC crosspeaks may provide other useful information, including a potentially MS-independent method for quantitating 37 Cl/35 C isotopic fractionation during the biosynthesis of halogenated natural products. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The study of polymorphic states of paradichlorobenzene by means of nuclear quadrupole resonance relaxometry.

The article describes the results of the experimental study of the molecular crystal of paradichlorobenzene in α- and ß-phases by means of NQR-relaxometry with the inversion of Laplace transformation. The anisotropy effect of the pore space of wood on the distribution of times of the spin-lattice relaxation of p-C6H4Cl2 in the pores of pre-impregnated with the molten sample is shown. It was established that the increase in the T1 spin-lattice relaxation time of (35)Cl nucleus in the wood pores (channels) is observed in the case when the radio frequency field B1 is parallel to the tracheid's of wood. The NQR T1ρ dispersion analysis of paradichlorobenzene in α-phase was carried out for the first time.

Isomorphism and disorder in o-chlorohalobenzenes studied by NQR.

In this work we present experimental results that allow to characterize different solid modifications found in o-chlorohalobenzenes. Three disordered phases have been found in o-chlorobromobenzene. The stable phase at high temperature (phase I) is also obtained by quenching the sample at 77 K. Slow cooling allow to obtain the low temperature phase III which, on heating, transforms to phase II at 183 K and this, in turns, transforms to phase I at T~210 K. The disorder evidenced through the Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance spectra, is attributed to a random occupation of chlorine and bromine sites. In all phases there is evidence of molecular reorientations out of the benzene ring plane around the pseudo-symmetry axis between the atoms of Cl and Br. In o-chlorofluorobenzene two phases have been found depending on the cooling rate. One phase is disordered due to the random exchange of the occupation of Cl and F sites. In this case, there is also evidence of molecular reorientations out of the benzene ring plane, but in this case the reorientation is around the pseudo-symmetry axis that pass through the C-Cl bonds. Comparisons with the behavior of o-dichlorobenzene are also made.

Solid-state NMR/NQR and first-principles study of two niobium halide cluster compounds.

Two hexanuclear niobium halide cluster compounds with a [Nb6X12](2+) (X=Cl, Br) diamagnetic cluster core, have been studied by a combination of experimental solid-state NMR/NQR techniques and PAW/GIPAW calculations. For niobium sites the NMR parameters were determined by using variable Bo field static broadband NMR measurements and additional NQR measurements. It was found that they possess large positive chemical shifts, contrary to majority of niobium compounds studied so far by solid-state NMR, but in accordance with chemical shifts of (95)Mo nuclei in structurally related compounds containing [Mo6Br8](4+) cluster cores. Experimentally determined δiso((93)Nb) values are in the range from 2,400 to 3,000 ppm. A detailed analysis of geometrical relations between computed electric field gradient (EFG) and chemical shift (CS) tensors with respect to structural features of cluster units was carried out. These tensors on niobium sites are almost axially symmetric with parallel orientation of the largest EFG and the smallest CS principal axes (Vzz and δ33) coinciding with the molecular four-fold axis of the [Nb6X12](2+) unit. Bridging halogen sites are characterized by large asymmetry of EFG and CS tensors, the largest EFG principal axis (Vzz) is perpendicular to the X-Nb bonds, while intermediate EFG principal axis (Vyy) and the largest CS principal axis (δ11) are oriented in the radial direction with respect to the center of the cluster unit. For more symmetrical bromide compound the PAW predictions for EFG parameters are in better correspondence with the NMR/NQR measurements than in the less symmetrical chlorine compound. Theoretically predicted NMR parameters of bridging halogen sites were checked by (79/81)Br NQR and (35)Cl solid-state NMR measurements.

1H, 13C and 15N NMR spectral analysis of substituted 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidines.

The NMR spectroscopic data of a series of thirty-four 3-acylpyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidinium salts are analyzed, which were prepared as either perchlorates or chlorides. Methyl group substituted 3-aroyltetrahydropyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidines with the methyl substituent in positions 6, 8 and 9 as well as both in positions 6 and 8 were investigated bearing various aroyl substituents. Unequivocal assignment of all resonances was achieved via two-dimensional (1)H,(1)H-COSY measurements, (1)H,(13)C and (1)H,(15)N HSQC as well as HMBC experiments, and important diagnostic CH and NH couplings in the heteroaromatic ring system are evaluated. The influence of the methyl substituents was analyzed on the proton, carbon and nitrogen shifts. A significant effect of the counter ion on some chemical shifts of the nuclei under discussion of the pyridopyrimidines is found, allowing the indirect detection of the anion, which is confirmed by direct measurement of the (35)Cl nucleus of the perchlorates.

Pushing the limit of MQMAS for low-γ quadrupolar nuclei in pharmaceutical hydrochlorides.

Solid-state NMR of quadrupolar nuclei such as 35Cl has become a useful tool to characterize polymorphism in pharmaceutical hydrochlorides. The two-dimensional multiple-quantum magic-angle spinning (MQMAS) experiment can achieve isotropic resolution, and separate quadrupolar line shapes for samples with multiple sites but the pulse sequence efficiency is often low, limiting applications due to the intrinsically low NMR signals and rf field from the low gyromagnetic ratios γ. The use of cosine low-power MQMAS pulse sequences and high magnetic fields is presented to push the limit of MQMAS for insensitive low-γ quadrupolar nuclei. The improved efficiency and fields up to 35.2 T enable the acquisition of MQMAS spectra for pharmaceutical samples with multiple 35Cl sites, large quadrupolar couplings and/or in diluted dosage forms.

Conformations and intermolecular interactions pattern in solid chloroxylenol and triclosan (API of anti-infective agents and drugs). A (35)Cl NQR, (1)H-(14)N NQDR, X-ray and DFT/QTAIM study.

Two antibacterial and antifungal agents, chloroxylenol (4-chloro-3,5-dimethyl-phenol) and triclosan (5-chloro-2-(2',4'-dichlorophenoxy)-phenol), were studied experimentally in solid state with an X-ray, (35)Cl-nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) and (17)O-nuclear quadrupole double resonance (NQDR) spectroscopies and, theoretically, with the density functional theory/quantum theory of atoms in molecules (DFT/QTAIM). The crystallographic structure of triclosan, which crystallises in space group P31 with one molecule in the asymmetric unit [a = 12.64100(10), b = 12.64100(10), c = 6.71630(10) Å], was solved with an X-ray and refined to a final R-factor of 2.81% at room temperature. The NQR frequencies of (35)Cl and (17)O were detected with the help of the density functional theory (DFT) assigned to particular chlorine and oxygen sites in the molecules of both compounds. The NQR frequencies at (35)Cl sites in chloroxylenol and triclosan were found to be more differentiated than frequencies at the (17)O site. The former better describes the substituent withdrawing effects connected to π-electron delocalization within the benzene rings and the influence of temperature; whereas, those at the (17)O site provide more information on O-H bond and intermolecular interactions pattern. The conformation adopted by diphenyl ether of triclosan in solid state was found to be typical of diphenyl ethers, but the opposite to those adopted when it was bound to different inhibitors. According to an X-ray study, temperature had no effect on the conformation of the diphenyl ring of triclosan, which was the same at 90 K and at room temperature (RT). The scattering of NQR frequencies reproduced by the DFT under assumption of the X-ray data at 90 K and RT is found to be a good indicator of the quality of resolution of the crystallographic structure.

On-the-fly analysis of chloride and bromide in drug samples using NMR spectroscopy.

A look over the horizon shows that the excellent principle of quantitative NMR spectroscopy can also be applied to unreceptive quadrupolar nuclei. Drugs are often present as HCl or HBr salts. The nuclei 35Cl and 79Br can also be excellently determined qualitatively and quantitatively by NMR when they are present in ionic form. External calibration is used, which has proven to be extremely stable. The validation parameters of the methods already accredited to ISO 17025 are given. The methods proved to be extremely robust. The analyses can be performed practically on-the-fly. This means that the analysis can be carried out within a few minutes in addition to the actual quantitative determination of the organic components without further sample preparation.

Multinuclear NMR screening of pharmaceuticals using standardization by 2H integral of a deuterated solvent.

NMR standardization approach that uses the 2H integral of deuterated solvent for quantitative multinuclear analysis of pharmaceuticals is described. As a proof of principle, the existing NMR procedure for the analysis of heparin products according to US Pharmacopeia monograph is extended to the determination of Na+ and Cl- content in this matrix. Quantification is performed based on the ratio of a 23Na (35Cl) NMR integral and 2H NMR signal of deuterated solvent, D2O, acquired using the specific spectrometer hardware. As an alternative, the possibility of 133Cs standardization using the addition of Cs2CO3 stock solution is shown. Validation characteristics (linearity, repeatability, sensitivity) are evaluated. A holistic NMR profiling of heparin products can now also be used for the quantitative determination of inorganic compounds in a single analytical run using a single sample. In general, the new standardization methodology provides an appealing alternative for the NMR screening of inorganic and organic components in pharmaceutical products.

Synergistic effect of defects and porous structure in CoCCHH-CoSe heterogeneous-tube @PEDOT:PSS foam towards elastic supercapacitor with enhanced pseudocapacitances.

It is still challenging to construct stable 3D energy storage materials at the nanoscale by precise pore structure control and reasonable surface modification. Herein, a novel interwoven porous Co(CO3)0.35Cl0.20(OH)1.10 (CoCCHH)-CoSe heterogeneous-tube @PEDOT:PSS 3D foam with abundant active sites is presented as supercapacitor electrodes. The electrochemical results indicated that the pore structure provides ample space for redox reaction, and increases the number of ion transport channels. Besides, rational surface modification brings about sufficient active sites for redox reaction. The stable, porous PEDOT:PSS foam with a 3D elastic frame exhibited excellent electrical conductivity. Thus, the CoCCHH-CoSe@PEDOT:PSS foam possessed excellent specific capacitance and energy density, due to the synergistic effect of the unique 3D structure and surface defects. The home-made supercapacitor with CoCCHH-CoSe@PEDOT:PSS foam as cathode materials showed high specific capacitance (440.6F g-1 at 1 A g-1) and excellent energy density (137.7 Wh kg-1). This work provides a valuable strategy to develop potential materials for electrochemical energy storage.