Micelles for delivery of nitric oxide.

We designed block copolymer pro-amphiphiles and amphiphiles for providing very long-term release of nitric oxide (NO). A block copolymer of N-acryloylmorpholine (AM, as a hydrophile) and N-acryloyl-2,5-dimethylpiperazine (AZd, as a hydrophilic precursor) was synthesized. The poly(N-acryloyl-2,5-dimethylpiperazine) (PAZd) is water-soluble, but chemical reaction of the secondary amines with NO to form a N-diazeniumdiolate (NONOate) converts the hydrophilic PAZd into a hydrophobic poly(sodium-1-(N-acryloyl-2,5-dimethylpiperazin-1-yl)diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate) (PAZd.NONOate), driving aggregation. The PAM block guides this process toward micellization, rather than precipitation, yielding ca. 50 nm spherical micelles. The hydrophobic core of the micelle shielded the NONOate from the presence of water, and thus protons, which are required for NO liberation, delaying release to a remarkable 7 d half-life. Release of the NO returned the original soluble polymer. The very small NO-loaded micelles were able to penetrate complex tissue structures, such as the arterial media, opening up a number of tissue targets to NO-based therapy.

Quadrupolar transfer pathways.

A set of graphical conventions called quadrupolar transfer pathways is proposed to describe a wide range of experiments designed for the study of quadrupolar nuclei with spin quantum numbers I=1, 3/2, 2, 5/2, etc. These pathways, which inter alea allow one to appreciate the distinction between quadrupolar and Zeeman echoes, represent a generalization of the well-known coherence transfer pathways. Quadrupolar transfer pathways not merely distinguish coherences with different orders -2I < or = p< or = +2I, but allow one to follow the fate of coherences associated with single transitions that have the same coherence order p=m(I)(r)-m(I)(s) but can be distinguished by a satellite order q=(m(I)(r))(2)-(m(I)(s))(2).

Indirect detection of nitrogen-14 in solids via protons by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

This Communication describes the indirect detection of 14N nuclei (spin I=1) in solids by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The two-dimensional correlation method used here is closely related to the heteronuclear multiple quantum correlation (HMQC) experiment introduced in 1979 to study molecules in liquids, which has recently been used to study solids spinning at the magic angle. The difference is that the coherence transfer from neighboring 1H nuclei to 14N is achieved via a combination of J couplings and residual dipolar splittings (RDS). Projections of the two-dimensional correlation spectra onto the 14N dimension yield powder patterns which reflect the 14N quadrupolar interaction. In contrast to the indirect detection of 14N via 13C nuclei that was recently demonstrated [Gan, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 128 (2006) 6040; Cavadini et. al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 128 (2006) 7706], this approach may benefit from enhanced sensitivity, and does not require isotopic enrichment in 13C, although the 1H line-widths may have to be reduced upon selective deuteration.

Experimental observations of water-framework interactions in a hydrated microporous aluminum phosphate.

Differential scanning calorimetry of the hydrated, microporous aluminum phosphate AlPO-14 shows two distinct water losses between room temperature and 120 degrees C, indicating the presence of two types of water in the solid. Multiple-quantum magic angle spinning (MQMAS) (27)Al NMR shows that, while in dehydrated AlPO-14 all aluminum is found in tetrahedral sites, on hydration a significant proportion of the aluminum increases its coordination number to 6. This accounts for the presence of tightly bound water. The first detailed incoherent inelastic neutron scattering (IINS) studies of such a system give a spectrum with distinct and sharp librational bands for bound water, significantly different than seen in ice Ih. Using these data, and by consideration of the crystal structure of dehydrated AlPO-14, we propose a model for the hydrated material in which the tightly bound water bridges pairs of Lewis acidic framework aluminums in a dense region of the structure, while loosely bound water resides in the pores of the solid. Further IINS measurements using a high-incident neutron energy provide data that are in agreement with our model. We can detect two O-H stretching modes for bound water in hydrated AlPO-14, consistent with the model of two types of water present in the material, with the loosely bound water connected to neighboring water molecules by intermolecular hydrogen bonds.

Refocussing of chemical and paramagnetic shift anisotropies in 2H NMR using the quadrupolar-echo experiment.

A simple two-pulse spin-echo experiment is shown to refocus inhomogeneous broadening arising from both chemical and/or paramagnetic shift anisotropy and a first-order I=1 quadrupolar interaction. The method is shown to yield 2H NMR spectra of a paramagnetic solid (CuCl2.2D2O) and of a non-paramagnetic solid (D2C2O4.2D2O) that are significantly less distorted than those provided by the conventional quadrupolar-echo method. The technique will thus prove useful in studies of motion and dynamics where detailed analysis of the 2H lineshape is performed.

Probing amide bond nitrogens in solids using 14N NMR spectroscopy.

A novel two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiment is proposed for indirect observation of 14N nuclei in various types of nitrogen-containing solids. In a method somewhat similar to the heteronuclear single-quantum correlation (HSQC) experiment widely used for protein structure determination in solutions, this technique correlates spin S=1/2 nuclei, e.g., 1H, 13C, with the 14N spin I=1 nucleus in solids. The present experiment, however, transfers coherence from neighboring 1H or 13C nuclei to 14N via a combination of J-couplings and residual dipolar splittings (RDS). Projections of the two-dimensional NMR spectra onto the 14N dimension yield powder patterns that reflect the 14N quadrupolar interaction, which can be used to study molecular structure and dynamics. Indirect detection of amide nitrogen-14 via 1H and 13C is shown experimentally on a model compound of N-acetyl-glycine.

High-resolution 14N-edited 1H-13C correlation NMR experiment to study biological solids.

It was recently shown that nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of nitrogen-14 (spin I=1) can be obtained by indirect detection via spin S=1/2 nuclei in powders spinning at the magic angle. An increased number of solid-state NMR methods are now available to tailor sequences for specific purposes, e.g., hetero-nuclear dipolar recoupling or homo-nuclear dipolar decoupling schemes. Here, we combine the latest recoupling and decoupling techniques to obtain high-resolution (1)H-(13)C through-space correlation spectra, where only the correlation peaks of those carbons close to nitrogen nuclei are observed. The experiment is demonstrated on a (13)C enriched l-histidine. HCl x H(2)O powder sample.

Study of water dynamics and distances in paramagnetic solids by variable-temperature two-dimensional 2H NMR spectroscopy.

A recently proposed two-dimensional (2)H NMR experiment is used to measure the (2)H (spin I=1) quadrupolar and paramagnetic shift anisotropy interactions in powdered CuCl(2).2D(2)O as a function of temperature. The principal components of the quadrupolar and paramagnetic shift anisotropy tensors and the Euler angles describing the orientations of the tensors in the molecular frame are determined at each temperature. For this purpose an analytical approach is introduced to extract desired parameters from motionally averaged two-dimensional line shapes where the averaging is introduced by rapid 180 degrees flips around C(2) axes of D(2)O molecules. This approach can be readily applied to study various materials containing water of crystallization. It is also clearly shown that the rapid continuous rotation of D(2)O molecules around their C(2) axes is not taking place in the studied solid in the range of temperatures between 209 and 344 K. Once the paramagnetic shift anisotropy of a deuterium atom is measured accurately it is used to estimate the distance between deuterium and the nearest copper atom bearing an unpaired electron. Excellent agreement is found between structural parameters obtained in this study and those provided by neutron and x-ray diffraction, showing that the paramagnetic shift anisotropy is a sensitive probe of distances in paramagnetic solids.

Dynamics and counterion-dependence of the structures of weakly bound Ag+-P4S3 complexes.

In an earlier publication (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2002, 124, 7111) we showed that polymeric cationic [Ag(P(4)S(3))(n)](+) complexes (n=1, 2) are accessible if partnered with a suitable weakly coordinating counterion of the type [Al(OR(F))(4)](-) (OR(F): poly- or perfluorinated alkoxide). The present work addresses the following questions that could not be answered in the initial report: How many P(4)S(3) cages can be bound to a Ag(+) ion? Why are these complexes completely dynamic in solution in the (31)P NMR experiments? Can these dynamics be frozen out in a low-temperature (31)P MAS NMR experiment? What are the principal binding sites of the P(4)S(3) cage towards the Ag(+) ion? What are likely other isomers on the [Ag(P(4)S(3))(n)](+) potential energy surface? Counterion influence: Reactions of P(4)S(3) with Ag[Al{OC(CH(3))(CF(3))(2)}(4)] (Ag[hftb]) and Ag[{(CF(3))(3)CO}(3)Al-F-Al{OC(CF(3))(3))}(3)] (Ag[al-f-al]) gave [(P(4)S(3))Ag[hftb]](infinity) (7) as a molecular species, whereas [Ag(2)(P(4)S(3))(6)](2+)[al-f-al](-) (2) (8) is an isolated 2:1 salt. We suggest that a maximum of three P(4)S(3) cages may be bound on average to an Ag(+) ion. Only isolated dimeric dications are formed with the largest cation, but polymeric species are obtained with all other smaller aluminates. Thermodynamic Born-Haber cycles, DFT calculations, as well as solution NMR and ESI mass spectrometry indicate that 8 exhibits an equilibrium between the dication [Ag(2)(P(4)S(3))(6)](2+) (in the solid state) and two [Ag(P(4)S(3))(3)](+) monocations (in the gas phase and in solution). Dynamics: (31)P MAS NMR spectroscopy showed these solid adducts to be highly dynamic, to an extent that the (2)J(P,P) coupling within the cages could be resolved (J-res experiment). This is supported by DFT calculations, which show that the extended PES of [Ag(P(4)S(3))(n)](+) (n=1-3) and [Ag(2)(P(4)S(3))(2)](+) is very flat. The structures of alpha- and gamma-P(4)S(3) were redetermined. Their variable-temperature (31)P MAS NMR spectra are discussed jointly with those of all four currently known [Ag(P(4)S(3))(n)](+) adducts with n=1, 2, and 3.

Indirect detection of nitrogen-14 in solid-state NMR spectroscopy.

NMR spectra of (14)N (spin I=1) are obtained by indirect detection in powders spinning at the magic angle. The method relies on the transfer of coherence from a neighboring "spy" nucleus with S=1/2, such as (13)C or (1)H, to single- or double-quantum transitions of (14)N nuclei. The transfer of coherence can occur through a combination of scalar and residual dipolar splittings (RDS); the latter are also known as second-order quadrupole-dipole cross terms. The two-dimensional NMR spectra reveal powder patterns determined by second- and third-order quadrupolar couplings. These spectra depend on the quadrupolar coupling constant C(Q) (typically a few megahertz), on the asymmetry parameter eta(Q) of the (14)N nucleus, and on the orientation of the internuclear vector r(IS) between the I ((14)N) and S (spy) nuclei with respect to the quadrupolar tensor. These parameters, which can be subject to motional averaging, can reveal valuable information about the structure and dynamics of nitrogen-containing solids. Application of this technique to various amino acids, either enriched in (13)C or with natural carbon isotope abundance, with spectra recorded at various magnetic fields, illustrates the scope of the method.

Silver complexes of cyclic hexachlorotriphosphazene.

The first solid-state structures of complexed P3N3X6 (X = halogen) are reported for X = Cl. The compounds were obtained from P3N3Cl6 and Ag[Al(OR)4] salts in CH2Cl2/CS2 solution. The very weakly coordinating anion with R = C(CF3)3 led to the salt Ag(P3N3Cl6)2+[Al(OR)4]- (1), but the more strongly coordinating anion with R' = C(CH3)(CF3)2 gave the molecular adduct (P3N3Cl6)AgAl(OR')4 (3). Crystals of [Ag(CH2Cl2)(P3N3Cl6)2]+[Al(OR)4]- (2), in which Ag+ is coordinated by two phosphazene and one CH2Cl2 ligands, were isolated from CH2Cl2 solution. The three compounds were characterized by their X-ray structures, and 1 and 3 also by NMR and vibrational spectroscopy. Solution and solid-state 31P NMR investigations in combination with quantum chemically calculated chemical shifts show that the 31P NMR shifts of free and silver-coordinated P3N3Cl6 differ by less than 3 ppm and indicate a very weakly bound P3N3Cl6 ligand in 1. The experimental silver ion affinity (SIA) of the phosphazene ligand was derived from the solid-state structure of 3. The SIA shows that (PNCl2)3 is only a slightly stronger Lewis base than P4 and CH2Cl2, while other ligands such as S8, P4S3, toluene, and 1,2-Cl2C2H4 are far stronger ligands towards the silver cation. The energetics of the complexes were assessed with inclusion of entropic, thermal, and solvation contributions (MP2/TZVPP, COSMO). The formation of the cations in 1, 2, and 3 was calculated to be exergonic by delta(r)G(degrees)(CH2Cl2) = -97, -107, and -27 kJ mol(-1), respectively. All prepared complexes are thermally stable; formation of P3N3Cl5+ and AgCl was not observed, even at 60 degrees C in an ultrasonic bath. Therefore, the formation of P3N3Cl5+ was investigated by quantum chemical calculations. Other possible reaction pathways that could lead to the successful preparation of P3N3X5+ salts were defined.

Nitrogen-14 NMR spectroscopy using residual dipolar splittings in solids.

It is shown that nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of nitrogen-14 (spin I = 1) can be obtained by indirect detection in powders spinning at the magic angle (MAS). The method relies on the transfer of coherence from a neighboring nucleus with S = 1/2, such as carbon-13, to single- or double-quantum transitions of nitrogen-14 nuclei. The transfer of coherence occurs through second-order quadrupole-dipole cross terms, also known as residual dipolar splittings. The two-dimensional NMR spectra reveal powder patterns determined by the second-order quadrupolar interactions of nitrogen-14. Analysis of the spectra yields the quadrupolar coupling constant, CQ, and asymmetry parameter, etaQ, of nitrogen-14. These parameters can be related to the structure of nitrogen-containing solids.

Dynamics on the microsecond timescale in microporous aluminophosphate AlPO-14 as evidenced by 27Al MQMAS and STMAS NMR spectroscopy.

Multiple-quantum magic angle spinning (MQMAS) and satellite-transition magic angle spinning (STMAS) are two well-known techniques for obtaining high-resolution, or "isotropic", NMR spectra of quadrupolar nuclei. It has recently been shown that dynamics-driven modulation of the quadrupolar interaction on the microsecond timescale results in linewidths in isotropic STMAS spectra that are strongly broadened, while, in contrast, the isotropic MQMAS linewidths remain narrow. Here, we use this novel methodology in an 27Al (I = 5/2) NMR study of the calcined-dehydrated aluminophosphate AlPO-14 and two forms of as-synthesized AlPO-14, one prepared with isopropylamine (C3H7NH2) as the template molecule and one with piperidine (C5H10NH). For completeness, the 31P and 13C (both I = 1/2) MAS NMR spectra are also presented. A comparison of the 27Al MQMAS and STMAS NMR results show that, although calcined AlPO-14 appears to have a rigid framework structure, the extent of motion in the two as-synthesized forms is significant, with clear evidence for dynamics on the microsecond timescale in the immediate environments of all four Al sites in each material. Variable-temperature 27Al STMAS NMR studies of the two as-synthesized AlPO forms reveal the dynamics to be complex, with the motions of both the guest water molecules and organic template molecules shown to be contributing. The sensitivity of the STMAS NMR experiment to the presence of microsecond timescale dynamics is such that it seems likely that this methodology will prove useful in NMR studies of host-guest interactions in a wide variety of framework materials.

Separation of quadrupolar and chemical/paramagnetic shift interactions in two-dimensional 2H (I=1) nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

A novel two-dimensional (2)H (spin I=1) nuclear magnetic resonance technique is introduced for determination of both quadrupole and chemical/paramagnetic shift tensors and their relative orientation. The new method is based upon the well-known quadrupolar-echo experiment and is designed to refocus the quadrupolar interaction at the end of the t(1) evolution period while retaining the modulation introduced by the shift interaction. As a result, a projection of the resulting two-dimensional spectrum onto its F(1) dimension yields a shift anisotropy powder lineshape free from any quadrupolar broadening. The chemical/paramagnetic shifts appear in both F(1) and F(2) dimensions and are thus spread along a +1 frequency gradient; hence, a projection orthogonal to this gradient yields the pure quadrupolar powder lineshape, free from all shift interaction effects. The relative orientation of the quadrupole and shift tensors can be obtained by analysis of the full two-dimensional correlation lineshape. Unlike the well-known double-quantum experiment, the new method is, in principle, equally effective for all values of the quadrupolar splitting, including zero. The properties of the new technique are demonstrated using computer simulation and methods for the extraction of quadrupole and shift tensor parameters are described. The new technique is applied to (diamagnetic) benzoic acid-d(1) (C(6)H(5)CO(2)D) and (paramagnetic) copper(II) chloride dihydrate-d(4) (CuCl(2).2D(2)O).

Slow diffusion by singlet state NMR spectroscopy.

Small diffusion coefficients can be measured by using populations of singlet states that have a relaxation time constant, T(s), which can be much longer than the longitudinal relaxation time, T1. Spatial information can be encoded with pulsed field gradients in the manner of stimulated echo sequences. Singlet states can be excited via double-quantum coherences to enhance the efficiency of phase encoding and decoding.