Exploring the Potential of Multinuclear Solid-State 1 H, 13 C, and 35 Cl Magnetic Resonance To Characterize Static and Dynamic Disorder in Pharmaceutical Hydrochlorides.

Crystallographic disorder, whether static or dynamic, can be detrimental to the physical and chemical stability, ease of crystallization and dissolution rate of an active pharmaceutical ingredient. Disorder can result in a loss of manufacturing control leading to batch-to-batch variability and can lengthen the process of structural characterization. The range of NMR active nuclei makes solid-state NMR a unique technique for gaining nucleus-specific information about crystallographic disorder. Here, we explore the use of high-field 35 Cl solid-state NMR at 23.5 T to characterize both static and dynamic crystallographic disorder: specifically, dynamic disorder occurring in duloxetine hydrochloride (1), static disorder in promethazine hydrochloride (2), and trifluoperazine dihydrochloride (3). In all structures, the presence of crystallographic disorder was confirmed by 13 C cross-polarization magic-angle spinning (CPMAS) NMR and supported by GIPAW-DFT calculations, and in the case of 3, 1 H solid-state NMR provided additional confirmation. Applying 35 Cl solid-state NMR to these compounds, we show that higher magnetic fields are beneficial for resolving the crystallographic disorder in 1 and 3, while broad spectral features were observed in 2 even at higher fields. Combining the data obtained from 1 H, 13 C, and 35 Cl NMR, we show that 3 exhibits a unique case of disorder involving the + N-H hydrogen positions of the piperazinium ring, driving the chloride anions to occupy three distinct sites.

A toolbox for improving the workflow of NMR crystallography.

NMR crystallography is a powerful tool with applications in structural characterization and crystal structure verification, to name two. However, applying this tool presents several challenges, especially for industrial users, in terms of consistency, workflow, time consumption, and the requirement for a high level of understanding of experimental solid-state NMR and GIPAW-DFT calculations. Here, we have developed a series of fully parameterized scripts for use in Materials Studio and TopSpin, based on the .magres file format, with a focus on organic molecules (e.g. pharmaceuticals), improving efficiency, robustness, and workflow. We separate these tools into three major categories: performing the DFT calculations, extracting & visualizing the results, and crystallographic modelling. These scripts will rapidly submit fully parameterized CASTEP jobs, extract data from the calculations, assist in visualizing the results, and expedite the process of structural modelling. Accompanied with these tools is a description on their functionality, documentation on how to get started and use the scripts, and links to video tutorials for guiding new users. Through the use of these tools, we hope to facilitate NMR crystallography and to harmonize the process across users.

Rapid Identification of Halogen Bonds in Co-Crystalline Powders via 127 I Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance Spectroscopy.

127 I nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) spectroscopy is established as a rapid and robust method to indicate the formation of iodine-nitrogen halogen bonds in co-crystalline powders. Once the relevant spectral frequency range has been established, diagnostic 127 I NQR spectra can be acquired in seconds. The method is demonstrated for a series of co-crystals of 1,4-diiodobenzene. Changes in the 127 I quadrupolar coupling constant (CQ ) by up to 74.4 MHz correlate with the length of the C-I donor covalent bond and inversely with the I⋅⋅⋅N halogen-bond length. The predictive power of this technique is validated on two previously unknown co-crystalline powders prepared mechanochemically. Single-crystal growth via co-sublimation and structure determination by single-crystal X-ray diffraction cross-validates the findings. Natural localized molecular-orbital analyses provide insight into the origins of the quadrupolar coupling constants.

Comparing the Halogen Bond to the Hydrogen Bond by Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy: Anion Coordinated Dimers from 2- and 3-Iodoethynylpyridine Salts.

Halogen bonding is an increasingly important tool in crystal engineering, and measuring its influence on the local chemical and electronic environment is necessary to fully understand this interaction. Here, we present a systematic crystallographic and solid-state NMR study of self-complementary halogen-bonded frameworks built from the halide salts (HCl, HBr, HI, HI3 ) of 2-iodoethynylpyridine and 3-iodoethynylpyridine. A series of single crystal X-ray structures reveals the formation of discrete charged dimers in the solid state, directed by simultaneous X- ⋅⋅⋅H-N+ hydrogen bonds and C-I⋅⋅⋅X- halogen bonds (X=Cl, Br, I). Each compound was studied using multinuclear solid-state magnetic resonance spectroscopy, observing 1 H to investigate the hydrogen bonds and 13 C, 35 Cl, and 79/81 Br to investigate the halogen bonds. A natural localized molecular orbital analysis was employed to help interpret the experimental results. 1 H SSNMR spectroscopy reveals a decrease in the chemical shift of the proton participating in the hydrogen bond as the halogen increases in size, whereas the 13 C SSNMR reveals an increased 13 C chemical shift of the C-I carbon for C-I⋅⋅⋅X- relative to C-I⋅⋅⋅N halogen bonds. Additionally, 35 Cl and 79/81 Br SSNMR, along with computational results, have allowed us to compare the C-I⋅⋅⋅X- halogen bond involving each halide in terms of NMR observables. Due to the isostructural nature of these compounds, they are ideal cases for experimentally assessing the impact of different halogen bond acceptors on the solid-state NMR response.

Solid-state multinuclear magnetic resonance and X-ray crystallographic investigation of the phosphorus...iodine halogen bond in a bis(dicyclohexylphenylphosphine)(1,6-diiodoperfluorohexane) cocrystal.

Halogen bonding to phosphorus atoms remains uncommon, with relatively few examples reported in the literature. Here, the preparation and investigation of the cocrystal bis(dicyclohexylphenylphosphine)(1,6-diiodoperfluorohexane) by X-ray crystallography and solid-state multinuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy is described. The crystal structure features two crystallographically unique C-I...P halogen bonds [dI...P = 3.090 (5) Å, 3.264 (5) Å] and crystallographic disorder of one of the 1,6-diiodoperfluorohexane molecules. The first of these is the shortest and most linear I...P halogen bond reported to date. 13C, 19F, and 31P magic angle spinning solid-state NMR spectra are reported. A 31P chemical shift change of -7.0 p.p.m. in the cocrystal relative to pure dicyclohexylphenylphosphine, consistent with halogen bond formation, is noted. This work establishes iodoperfluoroalkanes as viable halogen bond donors when paired with phosphorus acceptors, and also shows that dicyclohexylphenylphosphine can act as a practical halogen bond acceptor.

Combining X-ray and NMR Crystallography to Explore the Crystallographic Disorder in Salbutamol Oxalate.

Salbutamol is an active pharmaceutical ingredient commonly used to treat respiratory distress and is listed by the World Health Organization as an essential medicine. Here, we establish the crystal structure of its oxalate form, salbutamol oxalate, and explore the nature of its crystallographic disorder by combined X-ray crystallography and 13C cross-polarization (CP) magic-angle spinning (MAS) solid-state NMR. The *C-OH chiral center of salbutamol (note that the crystal structures are a racemic mixture of the two enantiomers of salbutamol) is disordered over two positions, and the tert-butyl group is rotating rapidly, as revealed by 13C solid-state NMR. The impact of crystallization conditions on the disorder was investigated, finding variations in the occupancy ratio of the *C-OH chiral center between single crystals and a consistency across samples in the bulk powder. Overall, this work highlights the contrast between investigating crystallographic disorder by X-ray diffraction and solid-state NMR experiment, and gauge-including projector-augmented-wave (GIPAW) density functional theory (DFT) calculations, with their combined use, yielding an improved understanding of the nature of the crystallographic disorder between the local (i.e., as viewed by NMR) and longer-range periodic (i.e., as viewed by diffraction) scale.

A curious case of dynamic disorder in pyrrolidine rings elucidated by NMR crystallography.

A pharmaceutical exhibits differing dynamics in crystallographically distinct pyrrolidine rings despite being nearly related by symmetry, with one performing ring inversions while the other is constrained to torsional librations. Using 13C solid-state magic-angle spinning (MAS) NMR and DFT calculations, we show that this contrast originates from C-HH-C close contacts and less efficient C-Hπ intermolecular interactions observed in the transition state of the constrained pyrrolidine ring, highlighting the influence of the crystallographic environment on the molecular motion.

Halogen bonding as a supramolecular dynamics catalyst.

Dynamic processes have many implications in functional molecules, including catalysts, enzymes, host-guest complexes, and molecular machines. Here, we demonstrate via deuterium NMR relaxation experiments how halogen bonding directly impacts the dynamics in solid 2,3,5,6-tetramethylpyrazine cocrystals, catalyzing the methyl group rotation. On average, we observe a reduction of 56% in the rotational activation energy of the methyl groups in the halogen bonded cocrystals, contrasting the reduction of 36% in the hydrogen bonded cocrystals, with respect to pure 2,3,5,6-tetramethylpyrazine. Density functional theory calculations attribute this superior catalytic ability of the halogen bond to the simultaneous destabilization of the staggered conformation and stabilization of the gauche conformation, overall reducing the rotational energy barrier. Furthermore, the calculations suggest that the catalytic ability of the halogen bond may be tuneable, with stronger halogen bond donors acting as superior dynamics catalysts. Thus, halogen bonding may play a role in both assembly and promoting dynamical processes.

Mechanochemical Preparations of Anion Coordinated Architectures Based on 3-Iodoethynylpyridine and 3-Iodoethynylbenzoic Acid.

The halogen bond has previously been explored as a versatile tool in crystal engineering and anion coordination chemistry, with mechanochemical synthetic techniques having been shown to provide convenient routes towards cocrystals. In an effort to expand our knowledge on the role of halogen bonding in anion coordination, here we explore a series of cocrystals formed between 3-iodoethynylpyridine and 3-iodoethynylbenzoic acid with halide salts. In total, we report the single-crystal X-ray structures of six new cocrystals prepared by mechanochemical ball milling, with all structures exhibiting C≡C-I⋅⋅⋅X- (X=Cl, Br) halogen bonds. Whereas cocrystals featuring a pyridine group favoured the formation of discrete entities, cocrystals featuring a benzoic acid group yielded an alternation of halogen and hydrogen bonds. The compounds studied herein were further characterized by 13C and 31P solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance, with the chemical shifts offering a clear and convenient method of identifying the occurrence of halogen bonding, using the crude product obtained directly from the mechanochemical ball milling. Whereas the 31P chemical shifts were quickly able to identify the occurrence of cocrystallization, 13C solid-state NMR was diagnostic of both the occurrence of halogen bonding and of hydrogen bonding.

Mechanochemical Preparations of Anion Coordinated Architectures Based on 3-Iodoethynylpyridine and 3-Iodoethynylbenzoic Acid.

Invited for this month's cover picture is the group of Professor David Bryce at the University of Ottawa. The cover picture shows a stylized depiction of the mechanochemical halogen-bond induced cocrystallization of 3-iodoethynylpyridine with tetraphenylphosphonium bromide. Read the full text of their Full Paper at 10.1002/open.201900194.

1,3,5-Tri(iodoethynyl)-2,4,6-trifluorobenzene: halogen-bonded frameworks and NMR spectroscopic analysis.

Halogen bonding is the non-covalent interaction between the region of positive electrostatic potential associated with a covalently bonded halogen atom, named the σ-hole, and a Lewis base. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction structures are reported for a series of seven halogen-bonded cocrystals featuring 1,3,5-tris(iodoethynyl)-2,4,6-trifluorobenzene (1) as the halogen-bond donor, and bromide ions (as ammonium or phosphonium salts) as the halogen-bond acceptors: (1)·MePh3PBr, (1)·EtPh3PBr, (1)·acetonyl-Ph3PBr, (1)·Ph4PBr, (1)·[bis(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]triphenylphosphonium bromide, and two new polymorphs of (1)·Et3BuNBr. The cocrystals all feature moderately strong iodine-bromide halogen bonds. The crystal structure of pure [bis(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]triphenylphosphonium bromide is also reported. The results of a crystal engineering strategy of varying the size of the counter-cation are explored, and the features of the resulting framework materials are discussed. Given the potential utility of (1) in future crystal engineering applications, detailed NMR analyses (in solution and in the solid state) of this halogen-bond donor are also presented. In solution, complex 13C and 19F multiplets are explained by considering the delicate interplay between various J couplings and subtle isotope shifts. In the solid state, the formation of (1)·Et3BuNBr is shown through significant 13C chemical shift changes relative to pure solid 1,3,5-tris(iodoethynyl)-2,4,6-trifluorobenzene.

13C and 19F solid-state NMR and X-ray crystallographic study of halogen-bonded frameworks featuring nitrogen-containing heterocycles.

Halogen bonding is a noncovalent interaction between the electrophilic region of a halogen (σ-hole) and an electron donor. We report a crystallographic and structural analysis of halogen-bonded compounds by applying a combined X-ray diffraction (XRD) and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (SSNMR) approach. Single-crystal XRD was first used to characterize the halogen-bonded cocrystals formed between two fluorinated halogen-bond donors (1,4-diiodotetrafluorobenzene and 1,3,5-trifluoro-2,4,6-triiodobenzene) and several nitrogen-containing heterocycles (acridine, 1,10-phenanthroline, 2,3,5,6-tetramethylpyrazine, and hexamethylenetetramine). New structures are reported for the following three cocrystals, all in the P21/c space group: acridine-1,3,5-trifluoro-2,4,6-triiodobenzene (1/1), C6F3I3·C13H9N, 1,10-phenanthroline-1,3,5-trifluoro-2,4,6-triiodobenzene (1/1), C6F3I3·C12H8N2, and 2,3,5,6-tetramethylpyrazine-1,3,5-trifluoro-2,4,6-triiodobenzene (1/1), C6F3I3·C8H12N2. 13C and 19F solid-state magic-angle spinning (MAS) NMR is shown to be a convenient method to characterize the structural features of the halogen-bond donor and acceptor, with chemical shifts attributable to cocrystal formation observed in the spectra of both nuclides. Cross polarization (CP) from 19F to 13C results in improved spectral sensitivity in characterizing the perfluorinated halogen-bond donor when compared to conventional 1H CP. Gauge-including projector-augmented wave density functional theory (GIPAW DFT) calculations of magnetic shielding constants, along with optimization of the XRD structures, provide a final set of structures in best agreement with the experimental 13C and 19F chemical shifts. Data for carbons bonded to iodine remain outliers due to well-known relativistic effects.