Piotr Bernatowicz

Multiple nematic phases observed in chiral mesogenic dimers

A sequence of seven nematic phases has been observed in chiral mesogenic dimers, having odd number of carbon atoms in the spacer, thus a bent shape. The highest temperature phase is a chiral nematic (cholesteric) phase on heating or blue phases on cooling. The lowest temperature nematic phase expels the chiral twist and exhibits spontaneous bent–splay modulation.

Nonclassical effects in liquid-phase nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of 9-methyltriptycene derivatives

The dynamics of strongly hindered methyl groups in 9-methyltriptycene derivatives, monitored by liquid-phase nuclear magnetic resonance spectra, were investigated using an iterative, least-squares method of line shape analysis. For two of the compounds, apart from nonclassical effects in the stochastic dynamics, anomalously strong dependence on temperature (ca. 0.05 and 0.08 Hz/K) of the J coupling between the methyl protons was observed. The latter effect was attributed to the occurrence of coherent quantum tunneling of the methyl rotor. For methyl group, this would be the first observation of coherent tunneling above cryogenic temperatures.

NMR Signal Enhancement by Effective SABRE Labeling of Oligopeptides

Signal amplification by reversible exchange (SABRE) can enhance nuclear magnetic resonance signals by several orders of magnitude. However, until now this was limited to a small number of model target molecules. Here, a new convenient method for SABRE activation applicable to a variety of synthetic model oligopeptides is demonstrated. For the first time, a highly SABRE-active pyridine-based biocompatible molecular framework is incorporated into synthetic oligopeptides. The SABRE activity is preserved, demonstrating the importance of such earmarking. Finally, a crucial exchange process responsible for SABRE activity is identified and discussed.

Nuclear-spin relaxation in nonrigid molecules: Discrete multisite local dynamics combined with anisotropic molecular reorientation

Nuclear-spin relaxation is considered in a molecular system undergoing two types of dynamic processes: asymmetric-top small-step rotational diffusion and discrete multisite local jumps. The two processes are assumed to be uncorrelated. Time correlation functions for relevant rank-two interactions and corresponding spectral density functions are derived for a general relation between the characteristic rate constants. In addition, limiting cases of fast and slow local motions and of some specific jump conditions are also investigated.

Phosphoric amides. 15N NMR study of the P—N bonding in acyclic and cyclic compounds

31P and 15N NMR spectra of 11 cyclic and non‐cyclic phosphoramidates were measured. Comparison of the closely related structures demonstrated correlation between the bond angles at nitrogen and the 15N NMR chemical shifts and the 1J(P,N) coupling constants. 15N NMR parameters allowed the exo‐ and endocyclic nitrogens to be distinguished and could be related to the hydrolytic stability of the P—N bonds.

Structural studies on aryl-substituted enaminoketones and their thio analogues. Part I. Analysis of high-resolution (1)H, (13)C NMR and (13)C CP MAS spectra combined with GIAO-DFT calculations.

A series of aryl‐substituted enaminoketones and their thio analogues in CDCl3 solution and in the solid state were studied by the use of high‐resolution 1H and 13C as well as 13C cross polarization magic angle spinning (CP MAS) NMR spectra in combination with gauge including atomic orbitals‐density functional theory (GIAO‐DFT) calculations performed at the B3PW91/6–311 + + G(d,p) level of theory using the B3PW91/6‐311 + + G(d,p)‐optimized geometries. The analysis of the 13C NMR spectra in solution was done by using the Incredible Natural Abundance DoublE QUAntum Transfer Experiment (INADEQUATE) technique, whereas trends observed in the 13C shielding constants, calculated for the compounds studied, were a great help in assigning most of the signals in the 13C CP MAS NMR spectra. It was established on the basis of the experimental and theoretical NMR data that both groups of compounds exist in the form of Z‐s‐Z‐s‐E isomers in CDCl3 solution as well as in the solid state, with the NH hydrogen atom involved in intramolecular hydrogen bonding. This conclusion is in agreement with the fact that some of the compounds studied reveal liquid‐crystalline properties. Three‐bond H, H and C, H coupling constants measured in solution played a crucial role in the structure elucidation. Copyright

Scalar relaxation of the second kind. A potential source of information on the dynamics of molecular movements. 4. Molecules with collinear C-H and C-Br bonds.

Continuing studies based on measurements of the nuclear spin relaxation rates running via the SC2 mechanism (scalar relaxation of the second kind), we present in this work the results obtained for three molecules: 9-bromotriptycene, 1,3,5-tribromobenzene, and 1-(2-bromoethynyl)-4-ethynylbenzene in which C-Br bond and one of C-H bonds are collinear. Separation of saturation-recovery or inversion-recovery curves of (13)C NMR signals of bromine-bonded carbons in the investigated compounds on two components has provided the longitudinal SC2 relaxation rates of these carbons in (79)Br- and (81)Br-containing isotopomers. These data have enabled experimental determination of the bromine-carbon spin-spin coupling constants and relaxation rates of quadrupole bromine nuclei, hardly accessible by direct measurements. At the same time the rotational diffusion parameters describing the reorientation of the C-Br vectors have been determined for the investigated molecules on the basis of the dipolar relaxation of protonated carbons. These diffusion parameters are crucial for interpretation of the bromine relaxation rates. The values of the indirect (1)J((13)C,(79)Br) coupling constants, magnetic shielding of carbon nuclei and quadrupole coupling constants of bromines, determined for the investigated compounds, have been compared with the results of the theoretical calculations which take into account relativistic effects. The origin of some divergences between the results obtained by different methods has been discussed.

Carbon-13 NMR Relaxation Study of the Internal Dynamics in Cyclodextrins in Isotropic Solution

(13)C nuclear spin relaxation processes in seven cyclodextrins (from six-membered alpha to twelve-membered eta) were investigated in (2)H(2)O solution at multiple magnetic fields. Detailed analysis of (13)C longitudinal relaxation in laboratory and rotating frames and (13)C{(1)H} nuclear Overhauser enhancement in these molecules yielded their rotational diffusion tensors and a semiquantitative picture of their internal dynamics.

Structure of compounds E(SnMe3)4 (E = Si, Ge) as seen by high-resolution X-ray powder diffraction and solid-state NMR

The compounds tetrakis(trimethylstannyl)germane, Ge(SnMe3)4 (1), and tetrakis(trimethylstannyl)silane, Si(SnMe3)4 (2), have crystal structures with the quasispherical molecules in a closed-packed stacking. At room temperature both structures have the space group P1 (Z = 2) with a = 9.94457 (5), b = 14.52927 (8), c = 9.16021 (5) A, alpha = 90.53390 (30), beta = 111.73080 (30), gamma = 90.0049 (4) degrees, and V = 1229.414 (12) A3 for (1) and a = 9.92009 (7), b = 14.51029 (11), c = 9.13585 (7) A, alpha = 90.4769 (4), beta = 111.6724 (4), gamma = 89.9877 (6) degrees, and V = 1222.037 (16) A3 for (2). The molecules are found to be ordered as a result of steric interactions between neighboring molecules, as shown by analyzing the distances between the atoms. Upon heating, both compounds undergo a first-order phase transition at temperatures T(c) = 348 +/- 5 K, as characterized by a relative jump of the lattice parameter of approximately 16%. At 353 K, both structures have the space group P1 (Z = 4), with a = 14.2037 (2) A, and V = 2865.52 (7) A3 for (1) and a = 14.1346 (2) A, and V = 2823.90 (7) A3 for (2). Rietveld refinements were performed for the low-temperature phases measured at T = 295 K [R(wp) = 0.0844 for (1), R(wp) = 0.0940 for (2)] and for the high-temperature phases measured at T = 353 K [R(wp) = 0.0891 for (1), R(wp) = 0.0542 for (2)]. The combination of high-resolution X-ray powder diffraction measurements and variable-temperature magic-angle-spinning 13C, 29Si and 119Sn NMR experiments demonstrates low crystallographic and molecular (C1) symmetries for the low-temperature phases of (1) and (2) at temperatures T < 348 +/- 5 K and high crystallographic symmetry due to rotational disorder for the high-temperature phases at temperatures T > 348 +/- 5 K.

Unusual effects in variable temperature powder NMR spectra of the methyl group protons in 9,10-dimethyltriptycene-d12

Variable temperature (1)H wide line NMR spectra of polycrystalline 9,10-dimethyltriptycene-d12 deuterated in the aromatic positions were studied. The spectra show different patterns in an unrepeatable dependence on the way of preparation of the powdered samples. Simultaneously, no anomalies were seen in the MAS and CPMAS proton-decoupled room-temperature (13)C spectra as well as in powder X-ray diffraction patterns. The effects observed in the (1)H spectra are tentatively explained in terms of a phenomenological model. For one of the examined samples it afforded a consistent interpretation of the entire series of temperature dependent spectra in terms of structural non uniformity of the solid material studied. Quantum character of the stochastic dynamics of the methyl groups in the investigated compound was confirmed, although these dynamics are close to the classical limit where the familiar random jump model applies.