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Molecular-recognition events are highly relevant in biology and chemistry. In the present study, we investigated such processes in the solid state under mechanochemical conditions using the formation of racemic phases upon reacting enantiopure entities as example. As test systems, α-(trifluoromethyl)lactic acid (TFLA) and the amino acids serine and alanine were used. The effects of ball-milling and resonant acoustic mixing (RAM) on the formation of racemic phases were probed by using solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. In a mixer mill, a highly efficient and fast racemic phase formation occurred for both TFLA and the two amino acids. RAM led to the racemic phase for TFLA also, and this process was facilitated upon employing pre-milled enantiopure entities. In contrast, under comparable conditions RAM did not result in the formation of racemic phases for serine and alanine., (© 2024 The Authors. Angewandte Chemie International Edition published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

We report the catalytic synthesis of 3-hydroxy-2-butanon (acetoin) from acetaldehyde as a key step in the synthesis of C 4 -molecules from ethanol. Facile C-C bond formation at the α-carbon of the C 2 building block is achieved using an N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalyst. The immobilization of the catalyst on a Merrifield's peptide resin and its spectroscopic characterisation using solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) is described herein. The immobilization of the NHC catalyst allows for process intensification steps and the reported catalytic system was subjected to batch recycling as well as continuous flow experiments. The robustness of the catalytic system was shown over a maximum of 10 h time-on-stream. Overall, high selectivity S>90 % was observed. The observed deactivation of the catalyst with increasing time-on-stream is explained by ex-situ 1 H solution-state, as well as 13 C and 15 N solid-state NMR spectra allowing us to develop a deeper understanding of the underlying decomposition mechanism of the catalyst., (© 2024 The Authors. ChemSusChem published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

7 Li nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is an ideal tool to study hierarchically assembled helicates of the form Li[Li 3 L 6 Ti 2 ]. Internally bound and external lithium ions can be well distinguished by solution- or solid-state NMR spectroscopy and dimerization constants of the monomer/dimer equilibrium can be easily determined in solution. Averaged dimerization constants can be estimated in case of statistical mixtures of helicates formed from mixtures of ligands., (© 2024 The Authors. Chemistry - A European Journal published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Pyramidane molecules have attracted chemists for many decades due to their regular shape, high symmetry and their correspondence in the macroscopic world. Recently, experimental access to a number of examples has been reported, in particular the rarely reported square pyramidal bora[4]pyramidanes. To describe the bonding situation of the nonclassical structure of pyramidanes, we present solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) as a versatile tool for deciphering such bonding properties for three now accessible bora[4]pyramidane and dibora[5]pyramidane molecules. 11 B solid-state NMR spectra indicate that the apical boron nuclei in these compounds are strongly shielded (around -50 ppm vs. BF 3 -Et 2 O complex) and possess quadrupolar coupling constants of less than 0.9 MHz pointing to a rather high local symmetry. 13 C- 11 B spin-spin coupling constants have been explored as a measure of the bond covalency in the borapyramidanes. While the carbon-boron bond to the -B(C 6 F 5 ) 2 substituents of the base serves as an example for a classical covalent 2-center-2-electron (2c-2e) sp 2 -carbon-sp 2 -boron σ-bond with 1 J( 13 C- 11 B) coupling constants in the order of 75 Hz, those of the boron(apical)-carbon(basal) bonds in the pyramid are too small to measure. These results suggest that these bonds have a strongly ionic character, which is also supported by quantum-chemical calculations., (© 2023 The Authors. Chemistry - A European Journal published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

In recent years it is shown that mechanochemical strategies can be beneficial in directed conversions of organic compounds. Finding new reactions proved difficult, and due to the lack of mechanistic understanding of mechanochemical reaction events, respective efforts have mostly remained empirical. Spectroscopic techniques are crucial in shedding light on these questions. In this overview, the opportunities and challenges of solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy in the field of organic mechanochemistry are discussed. After a brief discussion of the basics of high-resolution solid-state NMR under magic-angle spinning (MAS) conditions, seven opportunities for solid-state NMR in the field of organic mechanochemistry are presented, ranging from ex situ approaches to structurally elucidated reaction products obtained by milling to the potential and limitations of in situ solid-state NMR approaches. Particular strengths of solid-state NMR, for instance in differentiating polymorphs, in NMR-crystallographic structure-determination protocols, or in detecting weak noncovalent interactions in molecular-recognition events employing proton-detected solid-state NMR experiments at fast MAS frequencies, are discussed., (© 2023 The Authors. Advanced Materials published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Metal chloride complexes react with tris(trimethylsilyl)phosphine under mild condition to produce metal phosphide (TMP) nanoparticles (NPs), and chlorotrimethylsilane as a byproduct. The formation of Si-Cl bonds that are stronger than the starting M-Cl bonds acts as a driving force for the reaction. The potential of this strategy is illustrated through the preparation of ruthenium phosphide NPs using [RuCl 2 (cymene)] and tris(trimethylsilyl)phosphine at 35 °C. Characterization with a combination of techniques including electron microscopy (EM), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, evidences the formation of small (diameter of 1.3 nm) and amorphous NPs with an overall Ru 50 P 50 composition. Interestingly, these NPs can be easily immobilized on functional support materials, which is of great interest for potential applications in catalysis and electrocatalysis. Mo 50 P 50 and Co 50 P 50 NPs can also be synthesized following the same strategy. This approach is simple and versatile and paves the way toward the preparation of a wide range of transition metal phosphide nanoparticles under mild reaction conditions., (© 2023 The Authors. Advanced Materials published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Ruthenium nanoparticles (NPs) immobilized on an amine-functionalized polymer-grafted silica support act as adaptive catalysts for the hydrogenation of bicyclic heteroaromatics. Whereas full hydrogenation of benzofuran and quinoline derivatives is achieved under pure H 2 , introducing CO 2 into the H 2 gas phase leads to an effective shutdown of the arene hydrogenation while preserving the activity for the hydrogenation of the heteroaromatic part. The selectivity switch originates from the generation of ammonium formate species on the surface of the materials by catalytic hydrogenation of CO 2 . The CO 2 hydrogenation is fully reversible, resulting in a robust and rapid switch between the two states of the catalyst adapting its performance in response to the feed gas composition. A variety of benzofuran and quinoline derivatives were hydrogenated to fully or partially saturated products in high selectivity and yields simply by altering the composition of the feed gas from H 2 to H 2 /CO 2 . The adaptive catalytic system thus provides controlled access to valuable products using a single catalyst rather than two specific and distinct catalysts with static reactivity., (© 2023 The Authors. Angewandte Chemie International Edition published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Biochemical reactions occurring in highly crowded cellular environments require different means of control to ensure productivity and specificity. Compartmentalization of reagents by liquid-liquid phase separation is one of these means. However, extremely high local protein concentrations of up to 400 mg/ml can result in pathological aggregation into fibrillar amyloid structures, a phenomenon that has been linked to various neurodegenerative diseases. Despite its relevance, the process of liquid-to-solid transition inside condensates is still not well understood at the molecular level. We thus herein use small peptide derivatives that can undergo both liquid-liquid and subsequent liquid-to-solid phase transition as model systems to study both processes. Using solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), we compare the structure of condensed states of leucine, tryptophan and phenylalanine containing derivatives, distinguishing between liquid-like condensates, amorphous aggregates and fibrils, respectively. A structural model for the fibrils formed by the phenylalanine derivative was obtained by an NMR-based structure calculation. The fibrils are stabilised by hydrogen bonds and side-chain π-π interactions, which are likely much less pronounced or absent in the liquid and amorphous state. Such noncovalent interactions are equally important for the liquid-to-solid transition of proteins, particularly those related to neurodegenerative diseases., (© 2023 The Authors. Chemistry - A European Journal published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

The detection and characterization of trapped water molecules in chemical entities and biomacromolecules remains a challenging task for solid materials. We herein present proton-detected solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) experiments at 100 kHz magic-angle spinning and at high static magnetic-field strengths (28.2 T) enabling the detection of a single water molecule fixed in the calix[4]arene cavity of a lanthanide complex by a combination of three types of non-covalent interactions. The water proton resonances are detected at a chemical-shift value close to zero ppm, which we further confirm by quantum-chemical calculations. Density Functional Theory calculations pinpoint to the sensitivity of the proton chemical-shift value for hydrogen-π interactions. Our study highlights how proton-detected solid-state NMR is turning into the method-of-choice in probing weak non-covalent interactions driving a whole branch of molecular-recognition events in chemistry and biology., (© 2023 The Authors. Angewandte Chemie International Edition published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Mechanical forces, including compressive stresses, have a significant impact on chemical reactions. Besides the preparative opportunities, mechanochemical conditions benefit from the absence of any organic solvent, the possibility of a significant synthetic acceleration and unique reaction pathways. Together with an accurate characterization of ball-milling products, the development of a deeper mechanistic understanding of the occurring transformations at a molecular level is critical for fully grasping the potential of organic mechanosynthesis. We herein studied a bromination of a cyclic sulfoximine in a mixer mill and used solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy for structural characterization of the reaction products. Magic-angle spinning (MAS) was applied for elucidating the product mixtures taken from the milling jar without introducing any further post-processing on the sample. Ex situ 13 C-detected NMR spectra of ball-milling products showed the formation of a crystalline solid phase with the regioselective bromination of the S-aryl group of the heterocycle in position 4. Completion is reached in less than 30 minutes as deduced from the NMR spectra. The bromination can also be achieved by magnetic stirring, but then, a longer reaction time is required. Mixing the solid educts in the NMR rotor allows to get in situ insights into the reaction and enables the detection of a reaction intermediate. The pressure alone induced in the rotor by MAS is not sufficient to lead to full conversion and the reaction occurs on slower time scales than in the ball mill, which is crucial for analysing mixtures taken from the milling jar by solid-state NMR. Our data suggest that on top of centrifugal forces, an efficient mixing of the starting materials is required for reaching a complete reaction., (© 2022 The Authors. Chemistry - A European Journal published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Paramagnetic metal ions can be inserted into ATP-fueled motor proteins by exchanging the diamagnetic Mg 2+ cofactor with Mn 2+ or Co 2+ . Then, paramagnetic relaxation enhancement (PRE) or pseudo-contact shifts (PCSs) can be measured to report on the localization of the metal ion within the protein. We determine the metal position in the oligomeric bacterial DnaB helicase from Helicobacter pylori complexed with the transition-state ATP-analogue ADP:AlF 4 - and single-stranded DNA using solid-state NMR and a structure-calculation protocol employing CYANA. We discuss and compare the use of Mn 2+ and Co 2+ in localizing the ATP cofactor in large oligomeric protein assemblies. 31 P PCSs induced in the Co 2+ -containing sample are then used to localize the DNA phosphate groups on the Co 2+ PCS tensor surface enabling structural insights into DNA binding to the DnaB helicase., (© 2021 The Authors. Chemistry - A European Journal published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Paramagnetic metal ions deliver structural information both in EPR and solid-state NMR experiments, offering a profitable synergetic approach to study bio-macromolecules. We demonstrate the spectral consequences of Mg 2+ / Mn 2+ substitution and the resulting information contents for two different ATP:Mg 2+ -fueled protein engines, a DnaB helicase from Helicobacter pylori active in the bacterial replisome, and the ABC transporter BmrA, a bacterial efflux pump. We show that, while EPR spectra report on metal binding and provide information on the geometry of the metal centers in the proteins, paramagnetic relaxation enhancements identified in the NMR spectra can be used to localize residues at the binding site. Protein engines are ubiquitous and the methods described herein should be applicable in a broad context., (© 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

DnaB helicases are bacterial, ATP-driven enzymes that unwind double-stranded DNA during DNA replication. Herein, we study the sequential binding of the "non-hydrolysable" ATP analogue AMP-PNP and of single-stranded (ss) DNA to the dodecameric DnaB helicase from Helicobacter pylori using solid-state NMR. Phosphorus cross-polarization experiments monitor the binding of AMP-PNP and DNA to the helicase. 13 C chemical-shift perturbations (CSPs) are used to detect conformational changes in the protein upon binding. The helicase switches upon AMP-PNP addition into a conformation apt for ssDNA binding, and AMP-PNP is hydrolyzed and released upon binding of ssDNA. Our study sheds light on the conformational changes which are triggered by the interaction with AMP-PNP and are needed for ssDNA binding of H. pylori DnaB in vitro. They also demonstrate the level of detail solid-state NMR can provide for the characterization of protein-DNA interactions and the interplay with ATP or its analogues., (© 2016 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Although a fairly large number of binary group 15/16 element cations have been reported, no example involving phosphorus in combination with a group 16 element has been synthesized and characterized to date. In this contribution is reported the synthesis and structural characterization of the first example of such a cation, namely a nortricyclane-type [P3Se4](+). This cation has been independently discovered by three groups through three different synthetic routes, as described herein. The molecular and electronic structure of the [P3Se4](+) cage and its crystal properties in the solid state have been characterized comprehensively by using X-ray diffraction, Raman, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies, as well as quantum chemical calculations., (© 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Molecular squares are among the most common supramolecular architectures, but phospha-organometallic complexes have not been used as building blocks for this type of structure. Herein we describe the formation of the molecular square [Au{Co(P2C2tBu2)2}]4 (1) by the self-assembly of anionic 1,3-diphosphacyclobutadiene cobalt complexes and gold(I) cations. The X-ray crystallographic determination of the molecular structure of 1 is complemented by solid-state (31)P and (13)C NMR investigations. High-level DFT calculations confirm the assignment of the (31)P and (13)C NMR resonances., (© 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

The synthesis and structural characterization of the first coordination compounds of bis(diphosphacyclobutadiene) cobaltate anions [M(P(2)(2)R(2))(2)](-) is described. Reactions of the new potassium salts [K(thf)(3){Co(η(4)-P(2)C(2)tPent(2))(2)}] (1) and [K(thf)(4){Co(η(4)-P(2)C(2)Ad(2))(2)}] (2) with [AuCl(tht)] (tht = tetrahydrothiophene), [AuCl(PPh(3))] and Ag[SbF(6)] afforded the complexes [Au{Co(P(2)C(2)tPent(2))(2)}(PMe(3))(2)] (3), [Au{Co(P(2)C(2)Ad(2))(2)}](x) (4), [Ag{Co(P(2)C(2)Ad(2))(2)}](x) (5), [Au(PMe(3))(4)][Au{Co(P(2)C(2)Ad(2))(2)}(2)] (6), [K([18]crown-6)(thf)(2)][Au{Co(P(2)C(2)Ad(2))(2)}(2)] (7), and [K([18]crown-6)(thf)(2)][M{Co(P(2)C(2)Ad(2))(2)}(2)] (8: M = Au 9: M = Ag) in moderate yields. The molecular structures of 2 and 3, and 6-9 were elucidated by X-ray crystallography. Complexes 4-9 were thoroughly characterized by (31)P and (13)C solid state NMR spectroscopy. The complexes [Au{Co(P(2)C(2)Ad(2))(2)}](x) (4) and [Ag{Co(P(2)C(2)Ad(2))(2)}](x) (5) exist as coordination polymers in the solid state. The linking mode between the monomeric units in the polymers is deduced. The soluble complexes 1-3, 6, and 7 were studied by multinuclear (1)H-, (31)P{(1)H}-, and (13)C{(1)H} NMR spectroscopy in solution. Variable temperature NMR measurements of 3 and 6 in deuterated THF reveal the formation of equilibria between the ionic species [Au(PMe(3))(4)](+), [Au(PMe(3))(2)](+), [Co(P(2)C(2)R(2))(2)](-), and [Au{Co(P(2)C(2)R(2))(2)}(2)](-) (R = tPent and Ad)., (Copyright © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

The (31)P MAS NMR spectrum of Hittorf's phosphorus has been measured and assigned to the 21 crystallographically distinct phosphorus atoms based on two-dimensional dipolar correlation spectroscopies. Application of such 2D techniques to phosphorus-based networks is particularly challenging owing to the wide chemical shift dispersions, rapid irreversible decay of transverse magnetization, and extremely slow spin-lattice relaxation in these systems. Nevertheless, a complete assignment was possible by using the combination of correlated spectroscopy (COSY) and radiofrequency-driven dipolar recoupling (RFDR). The assignment is supported further by DFT-based ab initio chemical shift calculations using a cluster-model approach, which gives good agreement between experimental and calculated chemical shift values. The (31)P chemical shifts appear to be strongly correlated with the average P-P bond lengths within the P(P(1/3))(3) coordination environments, whereas no clear dependence on average P-P-P bond angles can be detected. Calculations of localized Kohn-Sham orbitals reveal that this bond-length dependence is reflected in energy variations in the corresponding localized p-p-σ orbitals influencing the paramagnetic deshielding contribution in Ramsey's equation. In contrast, the contributions of the lone pairs to shielding differences are small and/or do not vary in a systematic manner for the different crystallographically distinct phosphorus sites. The combined spectroscopic and quantum chemical approach applied here and the increased theoretical understanding of (31)P chemical shifts will facilitate the structural elucidation of other phosphorus-based clusters and networks., (Copyright © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)