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The structure and dynamic properties of micellar solutions of nonionic surfactants of a series of isononylphenol ethoxylates, C9H19C6H4O(C2H4O)(n)H (where n = 6,8,9,10, and 12), were studied by NMR diffusometry, dynamic light scattering, and viscosimetry. The sizes of the micelles were determined for different surfactants and at different surfactant concentrations. The numbers of water molecules bound by a micelle and by one oxyethylene group of the surfactant were estimated.

The O,O′-diethyl dithiophosphate complex of tetraphenylantimony(V) [Sb(C6H5)4{S2P(OC2H 5)2}] (I) and its benzene-solvated form I · 1/2C6H6 (II) were synthesized and studied by high-resolution solid-state 13C and 31P NMR (MAS NMR). The diethyl dithiophosphate (Dtph) groups in I and II were quantitatively characterized by the 31P chemical shift anisotropy (δaniso), the asymmetry parameter (η), and the principal values of chemical shift tensors (δ xx, δ yy, δ zz ). The calculation of the anisotropy parameters included construction of χ2 statistic diagrams from full 31P MAS NMR spectra. In both complexes, the Dtph groups were found to have mainly axially symmetric 31P chemical shift tensors (for δ zz < δ xx ≈ δ yy ) with similar anisotropy parameters (δaniso and η), which is due to their identical S-monodentate function. According to X-ray diffraction data, II has a trigonal bipyramidal (TBP) molecular structure with Smonodentate coordination of Dtph in the TBP axial position and outer-sphere position of the benzene molecule. The desorption of the outer-sphere benzene solvent molecules from structure II, which was noted in MAS NMR experiment, passes through the formation of three intermediate solvated forms with benzene content n < 1/2. © 2013 Pleiades Publishing, Ltd.

We report new radiofrequency pulse schemes for deriving the orientation distribution function of chemical shift anisotropy tensors in the nuclear magnetic resonance of ordered solids. Sample spinning at the magic-angle is combined with radio frequency pulse schemesfor spinning sideband separation. We separate the sidebands associated with molecular order using only 5 radiofrequency π-pulses and avoiding a three-dimentional Fourier transformation.

A new method for separating isotropic and anisotropic chemical-shift interactions in magic-angle-spinning NMR is presented. The new method is based upon manipulation of the phases of spinning sidebands using sequences of five π pulses. A two-dimensional pulse scheme separates the spinning sidebands by order. The amplitudes of the spinning sidebands may be analyzed to obtain the principal values of the chemical-shift anisotropy. For sites with many sidebands, it is possible to improve the signal-to-noise ratio considerably by skew projection of the two-dimensional spectrum. Experimental demonstrations are presented.

Atomistic molecular dynamics simulations have been performed to investigate effective interactions of isolated water molecules dispersed in trihexyltetradecylphosphonium-orthoborate ionic liquids (ILs). The intrinsic free energy changes in solvating one water molecule from gas phase into bulk IL matrices were estimated as a function of temperature, and thereafter, the calculations of potential of mean force between two dispersed water molecules within different IL matrices were performed using umbrella sampling simulations. The systematic analyses of local ionic microstructures, orientational preferences, probability and spatial distributions of dispersed water molecules around neighboring ionic species indicate their preferential coordinations to central polar segments in orthoborate anions. The effective interactions between two dispersed water molecules are partially or totally screened as their separation distance increases due to interference of ionic species in between. These computational results connect microscopic anionic structures with macroscopically and experimentally observed difficulty in completely removing water from synthesized IL samples and suggest that the introduction of hydrophobic groups to central polar segments and the formation of conjugated ionic structures in orthoborate anions can effectively reduce residual water content in the corresponding IL samples.

Two-dimensional (1)H double-quantum and (14)N-(1)H(1)H-(13)C heteronuclear magic-angle spinning (MAS) NMR spectra recorded at natural isotopic abundance identify specific intermolecular COOH···N(arom) and CH(arom)···O=C hydrogen-bonding interactions in the solid-state structure of an indomethacin-nicotinamide cocrystal, thus additionally proving cocrystal formation.

We present a (31)P NMR spectroscopy study of planar glass-plate-oriented multi-bilayers of dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) with addition of polyethylene oxide (PEO). This work revealed the presence of a new component in the spectra that appeared only with addition of a small fraction of PEO (up to one PEO segment per dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine molecule) and disappeared when larger amounts of PEO were added. We explained this phenomenon as an effect of an inhomogeneous force field induced by the PEO molecules located at a certain depth in the lipid membrane interface region.

Several theoretical and experimental aspects of sideband suppression in the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of rotating solids are considered. The principles of sideband suppression are explored using general symmetry arguments and previous treatments are examined critically. Analytical solutions are given for sideband suppression pulse sequences employing four, five, six, and nine π pulses. The analytical solutions for four π pulses are complete. Experimental demonstrations are given.

Different symmetrically substituted and cyclic dialkydithiocarbamate (R=CH(3), C(2)H(5), C(3)H(7), i-C(3)H(7), C(4)H(9), i-C(4)H(9) and R(2)=(CH(2))(5), (CH(2))(6), (CH(2))(4)O) compounds, such as tetraalkylthiuram disulfides, mononuclear nickel(II), binuclear zinc(II) and heteropolynuclear complexes and their adducts (both non-solvated and solvated forms) with planar and non-planar N-donor organic bases, have been prepared and studied by means of natural abundance (13)C and (15)N CP/MAS NMR spectroscopy. Useful correlations between molecular structures and (13)C and (15)N chemical shifts in these compounds have been established and assignments to carbon and nitrogen sites in resolved molecular structures have been suggested. A combination of the mesomeric effect of dithiocarbamate groups and the (+)inductive effect of alkyl substituents at the nitrogen atoms has been discussed in interpretations of (13)C and (15)N chemical shifts of the studied compounds. A high sensitivity of (15)N chemical shift to the subtle structural differences of both dithiocarbamate groups and N-donor molecules has been revealed. Several remarkable cases of conformational isomerism have been recognized for both dithiocarbamate complexes and their adducts.

The spatial structure of an active fragment of beta-amyloid Aβ(1-40) heptapeptide Aβ(16-22) (Lys-Leu-Val-Phe-Phe-Ala-Glu) in aqueous buffer solution and in complex with sodium dodecyl sulfate micelles as a model membrane system was investigated by (1)H NMR spectroscopy and two-dimensional NMR (TOCSY, HSQC-HECADE (Heteronuclear Couplings from ASSCI-domain experiments with E.COSY-type crosspeaks), NOESY) spectroscopy. Complex formation was confirmed by the chemical shift changes of the heptapeptide's (1)H NMR spectra, as well as by the signs and values of the NOE effects in different environments. We compared the spatial structure of the heptapeptide in borate buffer solution and in complex with a model of the cell surface membrane.

We report on the synthesis, characterisation, and physical and tribological properties of halogen-free ionic liquids based on various chelated orthoborate anions with different phosphonium cations, both without halogen atoms in their structure. Important physical properties of the ILs including glass transition temperatures, density, viscosity and ionic conductivity were measured and are reported here. All of these new halogen-free orthoborate ionic liquids (hf-BILs) are hydrophobic and hydrolytically stable liquids at room temperature. As lubricants, these hf-BILs exhibit considerably better antiwear and friction reducing properties under boundary lubrication conditions for steel-aluminium contacts as compared with fully formulated (15W-50 grade) engine oil. Being halogen free these hf-BILs offer a more environmentally benign alternative to ILs being currently developed for lubricant applications.

Boron compounds have become of interest in tribology because of their unique tribochemical and tribological properties. At the same time, dialkyldithiophosphates (DTPs) of transition metals have been extensively used as multifunctional additives in lubricants to control friction and reduce wear in mechanical systems. Because of the environmental pollution and health hazards of these compounds, ashless compounds with reduced amounts of sulfur and phosphorus are desirable. This work reports on the synthesis, characterization, and tribological properties of a new class of compounds, alkylborate-dithiophosphates. This class combines two high-iron-affinity surface active groups, borate and dialkyldithiophosphate, into a single molecule. The final products, viscous liquids, were characterized by FT-IR, multinuclear (1)H, (13)C, (31)P, and (11)B NMR spectroscopy and thermal analyses. Residues of one representative compound from this class, DPB-EDTP, after thermal analyses were additionally characterized by multinuclear (13)C, (31)P and (11)B MAS and (31)P CP/MAS NMR spectroscopy. Solid-state NMR data suggest that a dominant part of the solid residue of DPB-EDTP consists of borophosphates. Antiwear and friction properties of a mineral oil with these novel additives were evaluated in a four-ball tribometer in comparison with O,O'-di-n-butyl-dithiophosphato-zinc(II), Zn-BuDTP, as a reference lubricant additive. The surface morphology and the elemental composition of the tribofilms were characterized using scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-rays spectroscopy (SEM/EDS). The results show that alkylborate-dithiophosphates, with substantially reduced amounts of sulfur and phosphorus compared with Zn-BuDTP, have considerably better antiwear and friction performance.

Trans-azobenzene dissolved in different liquid hydrocarbons absorbs fluorescence arising from all acceptors previously used in Fluorescence Detected Magnetic Resonance (FDMR) and Optically Detected ESR (OD ESR) spectroscopy making optical detection impossible. In this report a new acceptor,rubrene, having sufficient quantum yield of fluorescence in the red band 550–620 nm, has been proven successful. OD ESR spectra of the radical-ion pairtrans-azobenzene+/rubrene− were detected in liquid squalane (2,6,10,15,19,23-hexamethyl-tetracosane) solution in the temperature range 294–243 K. The experimental isotropic hyperfine splittings of the radical cation oftrans-azobenzene (a N=1.4 mT) have been compared with those from MNDO/INDO calculations and with those of earlier work using freon matrix studies.

We report a symmetrical sequence of 5 pi pulses for total sideband suppression in magic-angle-spinning NMR. The sequence is almost evenly spaced and shorter than previous 4 and 6 pi pulse methods.

The dynamics of the deprotonated neutral morpholin-1-yl radical, trapped in halocarbon matrix, CF2ClCFCl2, has been studied utilizing electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. The experimental lineshapes of the radical exhibit an alterating linewidth effect in the temperature range 105–144 K. The major changes of the ESR lineshape were governed by the averaging of the nitrogen hyperfine anisotropy while no exchange of the isotropic hyperfine coupling constants was observed. Geometrical parameters specifying the restricted anisotropic rotation of the whole radical trapped in the matrix could be extracted. Two methods for simulating anisotropic exchange broadened ESR spectra, the secular and non-perturbative, were utilized to investigate the dynamics of the radical. A surprisingly simple “three-site” jump model with a barrier of ≈ 3.6 kcal/mol can be applied in the simulation of the experimental spectra. It has been shown that the secular method cannot reproduce the exchange broadened ESR spectra of systems with large hyperfine anisotropy undergoing large internal reorganisation.

Dialkyldithiophosphates (DTPs) of zinc(II), copper(II), and other metals have been extensively used as multifunctional additives in lubricants to control friction and reduce wear in mechanical systems. Among these DTP compounds, zinc dialkyldithiophosphates (ZnDTPs) are the most common additives extensively used for more than 60 years. These additives form a protective film on steel surfaces and, thus, control friction and reduce wear. However, ZnDTPs contain zinc and large amounts of phosphorus and sulfur, which impair the environment, both directly and indirectly, by adversely affecting the performance of catalytic converters of various automobiles. For this reason, environmental legislation imposes limitations on concentrations of phosphorus, sulfur, and zinc in the lubricants. In this work, we report on zinc-free S-di-n-octoxyboron-O,O'-di-n-octyldithiophosphate (DOB-DTP) lubricant additive with amount of phosphorus and sulfur reduced by half in a molecule as compared with ZnDTPs. DOB-DTP was synthesized by a reaction in two steps under inert nitrogen atmosphere. The final product, a viscous liquid, was characterized by the elemental analysis, FT-IR, multinuclear (1)H, (13)C, (31)P, and (11)B NMR spectroscopy and thermal analyses. Tribological performance of a mineral oil with this new additive was evaluated in comparison with O,O'-di-n-butyl-dithiophosphato-zinc(II) (ZnDTP) using a four-ball tribometer. The surface morphology and the elemental composition of the tribofilms were characterized using scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS). The results show that DOB-DTP has a considerably better antiwear performance and higher stability of the coefficient of friction with time as compared with ZnDTP. Both phosphorus and sulfur were detected by the EDS on the worn steel surfaces at all concentrations of additives in the base oil.

Piperidine forms small aggregates in most Freon matrices at cryogenic temperatures; upon X-irradiation, hydrogen–proton transfer between piperidine radical cations and piperidine molecules occurs.

Amorphous titanium hydroxyphosphate with formula Ti(OH)(1.36)(HPO(4))(1.32).2.3H(2)O and a new silica-modified titanium hydroxyphosphate with a general formula Ti(OH)(2x)(HPO(4))(2-x).ySiO(2).nH(2)O are synthesized and characterized using IR, TG, XRD, SEM, solid-state NMR, and BET techniques. It is concluded that SiO(2) is evenly distributed within the titanium phosphate (TiP) agglomerates and that neither the separate silica phase nor the titanium silicates are formed during the synthesis of silica-modified titanium hydroxyphosphate. Correlations between the texture, ion-exchange properties of the amorphous titanium hydroxyphosphate, and the amount of SiO(2) present within the TiP matrix are established. Sorption properties of silica-modified titanium hydroxyphosphate toward Cs(+) and Sr(2+) are studied in a series of samples with an increasing amount of silica, at different pH, and in NaCl solutions with a varying ionic strength. It is found that sorption of Cs(+) does not depend practically on the amount of SiO(2) present, whereas the Sr(2+) uptake drastically decreases with an increase of silica amount. The effects of pH and of the electrolyte concentration on the sorption behavior of titanium phosphate are discussed in terms of ionic hydration shell and titanium phosphate structural specificity. The kinetics of sorption processes is also investigated, and the diffusion coefficients for cesium and strontium are obtained.

Amorphous titanium hydroxyphosphate with formula Ti(OH)(1.36)(HPO(4))(1.32).2.3H(2)O and a new silica-modified titanium hydroxyphosphate with a general formula Ti(OH)(2x)(HPO(4))(2-x).ySiO(2).nH(2)O are synthesized and characterized using IR, TG, XRD, SEM, solid-state NMR, and BET techniques. It is concluded that SiO(2) is evenly distributed within the titanium phosphate (TiP) agglomerates and that neither the separate silica phase nor the titanium silicates are formed during the synthesis of silica-modified titanium hydroxyphosphate. Correlations between the texture, ion-exchange properties of the amorphous titanium hydroxyphosphate, and the amount of SiO(2) present within the TiP matrix are established. Sorption properties of silica-modified titanium hydroxyphosphate toward Cs(+) and Sr(2+) are studied in a series of samples with an increasing amount of silica, at different pH, and in NaCl solutions with a varying ionic strength. It is found that sorption of Cs(+) does not depend practically on the amount of SiO(2) present, whereas the Sr(2+) uptake drastically decreases with an increase of silica amount. The effects of pH and of the electrolyte concentration on the sorption behavior of titanium phosphate are discussed in terms of ionic hydration shell and titanium phosphate structural specificity. The kinetics of sorption processes is also investigated, and the diffusion coefficients for cesium and strontium are obtained.

An overview of the strategy and experimental solid-state NMR, STEM, and AFM methods useful for obtaining structural constraints on Alzheimer’s amyloid-β peptide fibrils is presented. Polymorphism of amyloid fibrils and the relevance to neurotoxicity is discussed.

Copper K- edge EXAFS data for six polycrystalline cubic cluster compounds, {Cu-8[ S2P(OR)(2)](6)(mu(8)- S)} with R= Et, Pr-n, Pr-i, Bu-n, Bu-i and Am-i, show that the architecture of their Cu-8(S2P)(2)S cores is fairly rigid and independent of both length and branching of the alkyl chain, and that the structure of the cluster is maintained in acetone solution. Solid- state P-31 CP-MAS and static Cu-65 NMR data for {Cu-8[S2P(O-n Pr)(2)] 6(mu(8)- S)} and {Cu-8[S2P(OEt)(2)](6) mu(8)- S)} show similarities in the icosahedral O,O'- dialkyldithiophosphate shells and in the `cubic' copper cores in these cluster compounds. The crystal structure of {Cu-8[S2P(O-n Pr)(2)](6) (mu(8)- S)} was resolved using single- crystal X- ray diffraction.

Assignments of the protolytic speciation at the calcium hydroxyl surface sites of synthetic fluorapatite and the chemical interactions between fluorapatite-maghemite and fluorapatite-Fe2+ ions have been studied by means of 1H and 31P single-pulse and 31P CP MAS NMR. Three possible forms of calcium hydroxyl surface sites have been suggested and assigned to [triple bond] CaOH, [triple bond]Ca(OH)2-, and [triple bond]CaOH2+, and their mutual ratios were found to vary as a function of pH. Due to their paramagnetic properties, iron species and Fe2+ ions adsorbed at the fluorapatite surface display a broad spinning sideband manifold in the single-pulse 31P MAS NMR spectra. The resonance lines in the 31P CP MAS NMR spectra originating from the bulk phosphate groups PO4(3-) and phosphorus surface sites [triple bond]POx and [triple bond]POxH decrease with increasing Fe2+ ion adsorption. When iron species originating from maghemite are adsorbed at the fluorapatite surface, no 31P NMR signal is detected, which supports the hypothesis that surface reactions occur between the phosphorus surface sites of fluorapatite and iron species.

The interactions of synthetic chalcocite surfaces with diethyldithiophosphate, potassium salt, K[S2P(OC2H5)2], were studied by means of 31P cross-polarization/magic angle spinning (CP/MAS) NMR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). To identify the species formed on the Cu2S surfaces, a polycrystalline {CuI6[S2P(OC2H5)2]6} cluster was synthesized and analyzed by SEM, powder X-ray diffraction techniques and solid-state 31P CP/MAS NMR and static 65Cu NMR spectroscopy. 31P chemical shift anisotropy (CSA) parameters, delta(cs) and eta(cs), were estimated and used for assigning the bridging type of diethyldithiophosphate ligands in the {CuI6[S2P(OC2H5)2]6} cluster. The latter data were compared to 31P CSA parameters estimated from the spinning sideband patterns in 31P NMR spectra of the collector-treated mineral surfaces: formation of polycrystalline {CuI6[S2P(OC2H5)2]6} on the Cu2S surfaces is suggested. The second-order quadrupolar line shape of 65Cu was simulated, and the NMR interaction parameters, CQ and etaQ, for the copper(I) diethyldithiophosphate cluster were obtained.

A number of lead(II) O,O'-dialkyldithiophosphate complexes were studied by (13)C, (31)P, and (207)Pb MAS NMR. Simulations of (31)P chemical shift anisotropy using spinning sideband analysis reveal a linear relationship between the SPS bond angle and the principal values delta(22) and delta(33) of the (31)P chemical shift tensor. The (31)P CSA data were used to assign ligands with different structural functions. In the cases of diethyldithiophosphate and di-iso-butyldithiophosphate lead(II) complexes, (2)J((31)P, (207)Pb)-couplings were resolved and used to confirm the suggested assignment of the ligands. The SIMPSON computer program was used to calculate (31)P and (207)Pb spectral sideband patterns.

J. W. Hennel, J. Klinowski: Magic-Angle Spinning: a Historical Perspective.- A. Samoson, T.Tuherm, J. Past, A. Reinhold, T. Anupold, I. Heinmaa: New Horizons for Magic-Angle Spinning NMR.- E. Vinogradov, P.K. Madhu, S. Vega: Strategies for High-Resolution Proton Spectroscopy in the Solid-State NMR.- M.J. Potrzebowski, S. Kazmierski: High-Resolution Solid-State NMR Studies of Inclusion Complexes.- J. Rocha, C.M. Morais, C. Fernandez: Progress in Multiple-Quantum Magic-Angle Spinning NMR Spectroscopy.- H. Eckert, S. Elbers, J.D. Epping, M. Janssen, M. Kalwei, W. Strojek, U. Voigt: Dipolar Solid State NMR Approaches Towards Medium-Range Structure in Oxide Glasses.- W. Kolodziejski: Solid-State NMR Studies of Bone.- A.V. Ivanov, O.N. Antzutkin: Natural Abundance 15N and 13C CP/MAS NMR on Dialkyldithiocarbamate Compounds with Ni(II) and Zn(II)

Different symmetrically substituted and cyclic dialkydithiocarbamate (R=CH3, C2H5, C3H7, i-C3H7, C4H9, i-C4H9 and R2=(CH2)5, (CH2)6, (CH2)4O) compounds, such as tetraalkylthiuram disulfides, mononuclear nickel(II), binuclear zinc(II) and heteropolynuclear complexes and their adducts (both non-solvated and solvated forms) with planar and non-planar N-donor organic bases, have been prepared and studied by means of natural abundance 13C and 15N CP/MAS NMR spectroscopy. Useful correlations between molecular structures and 13C and 15N chemical shifts in these compounds have been established and assignments to carbon and nitrogen sites in resolved molecular structures have been suggested. A combination of the mesomeric effect of dithiocarbamate groups and the (+)inductive effect of alkyl substituents at the nitrogen atoms has been discussed in interpretations of 13C and 15N chemical shifts of the studied compounds. A high sensitivity of 15N chemical shift to the subtle structural differences of both dithiocarbamate groups and N-donor molecules has been revealed. Several remarkable cases of conformational isomerism have been recognized for both dithiocarbamate complexes and their adducts.

The thermal behaviour, molecular orientation and lateral diffusion in the bilayered systems of dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) in the presence of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) were studied by NMR and DSC techniques, and it was found that PEO decreases the melting temperature (of vesicles and flat multibilayers) and affects the degree of orientation of DMPC molecules relative to the bilayer normal, but it does not influence the lateral diffusion of DMPC molecules.

We describe electron microscopy (EM), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements on amyloid fibrils formed by the 42-residue beta-amyloid peptide associated with Alzheimer's disease (Abeta(1)(-)(42)) and by residues 10-35 of the full-length peptide (Abeta(10)(-)(35)). These measurements place constraints on the supramolecular structure of the amyloid fibrils, especially the type of beta-sheets present in the characteristic amyloid cross-beta structural motif and the assembly of these beta-sheets into a fibril. EM images of negatively stained Abeta(10)(-)(35) fibrils and measurements of fibril mass per length (MPL) by STEM show a strong dependence of fibril morphology and MPL on pH. Abeta(10)(-)(35) fibrils formed at pH 3.7 are single "protofilaments" with MPL equal to twice the value expected for a single cross-beta layer. Abeta(10)(-)(35) fibrils formed at pH 7.4 are apparently pairs of protofilaments or higher order bundles. EM and STEM data for Abeta(1)(-)(42) fibrils indicate that protofilaments with MPL equal to twice the value expected for a single cross-beta layer are also formed by Abeta(1)(-)(42) and that these protofilaments exist singly and in pairs at pH 7.4. Solid-state NMR measurements of intermolecular distances in Abeta(10)(-)(35) fibrils, using multiple-quantum (13)C NMR, (13)C-(13)C dipolar recoupling, and (15)N-(13)C dipolar recoupling techniques, support the in-register parallel beta-sheet organization previously established by Lynn, Meredith, Botto, and co-workers [Benzinger et al. (1998) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 95, 13407-13412; Benzinger et al. (2000) Biochemistry 39, 3491-3499] and show that this beta-sheet organization is present at pH 3.7 as well as pH 7.4 despite the differences in fibril morphology and MPL. Solid-state NMR measurements of intermolecular distances in Abeta(1)(-)(42) fibrils, which represent the first NMR data on Abeta(1)(-)(42) fibrils, also indicate an in-register parallel beta-sheet organization. These results, along with previously reported data on Abeta(1)(-)(40) fibrils, suggest that the supramolecular structures of Abeta(10)(-)(35), Abeta(1)(-)(40), and Abeta(1)(-)(42) fibrils are quite similar. A schematic structural model of these fibrils, consistent with known experimental EM, STEM, and solid-state NMR data, is presented.

We present a structural model for amyloid fibrils formed by the 40-residue β-amyloid peptide associated with Alzheimer's disease (Aβ 1–40 ), based on a set of experimental constraints from solid state NMR spectroscopy. The model additionally incorporates the cross-β structural motif established by x-ray fiber diffraction and satisfies constraints on Aβ 1–40 fibril dimensions and mass-per-length determined from electron microscopy. Approximately the first 10 residues of Aβ 1–40 are structurally disordered in the fibrils. Residues 12–24 and 30–40 adopt β-strand conformations and form parallel β-sheets through intermolecular hydrogen bonding. Residues 25–29 contain a bend of the peptide backbone that brings the two β-sheets in contact through sidechain-sidechain interactions. A single cross-β unit is then a double-layered β-sheet structure with a hydrophobic core and one hydrophobic face. The only charged sidechains in the core are those of D23 and K28, which form salt bridges. Fibrils with minimum mass-per-length and diameter consist of two cross-β units with their hydrophobic faces juxtaposed.

We report constraints on the supramolecular structure of amyloid fibrils formed by the 40-residue β-amyloid peptide associated with Alzheimer's disease (Aβ1–40) obtained from solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements of intermolecular dipole-dipole couplings between 13C labels at 11 carbon sites in residues 2 through 39. The measurements are carried out under magic-angle spinning conditions, using the constant-time finite-pulse radiofrequency-driven recoupling (fpRFDR-CT) technique. We also present one-dimensional 13C magic-angle spinning NMR spectra of the labeled Aβ1–40 samples. The fpRFDR-CT data reveal nearest-neighbor intermolecular distances of 4.8 ± 0.5 Å for carbon sites from residues 12 through 39, indicating a parallel alignment of neighboring peptide chains in the predominantly β-sheet structure of the amyloid fibrils. The one-dimensional NMR spectra indicate structural order at these sites. The fpRFDR-CT data and NMR spectra also indicate structural disorder in the N-terminal segment of Aβ1–40, including the first nine residues. These results place strong constraints on any molecular-level structural model for full-length β-amyloid fibrils. Validerad; 2002; 20070417 (bajo)

The seven-residue peptide N-acetyl-Lys-Leu-Val-Phe-Phe-Ala-Glu-NH(2), called A beta(16-22) and representing residues 16-22 of the full-length beta-amyloid peptide associated with Alzheimer's disease, is shown by electron microscopy to form highly ordered fibrils upon incubation of aqueous solutions. X-ray powder diffraction and optical birefringence measurements confirm that these are amyloid fibrils. The peptide conformation and supramolecular organization in A beta(16-22) fibrils are investigated by solid state (13)C NMR measurements. Two-dimensional magic-angle spinning (2D MAS) exchange and constant-time double-quantum-filtered dipolar recoupling (CTDQFD) measurements indicate a beta-strand conformation of the peptide backbone at the central phenylalanine. One-dimensional and two-dimensional spectra of selectively and uniformly labeled samples exhibit (13)C NMR line widths of

Senile plaques associated with Alzheimer's disease contain deposits of fibrils formed by 39- to 43-residue β-amyloid peptides with possible neurotoxic effects. X-ray diffraction measurements on oriented fibril bundles have indicated an extended β-sheet structure for Alzheimer's β-amyloid fibrils and other amyloid fibrils, but the supramolecular organization of the β-sheets and other structural details are not well established because of the intrinsically noncrystalline, insoluble nature of amyloid fibrils. Here we report solid-state NMR measurements, using a multiple quantum (MQ) 13 C NMR technique, that probe the β-sheet organization in fibrils formed by the full-length, 40-residue β-amyloid peptide (Aβ 1–40 ). Although an antiparallel β-sheet organization often is assumed and is invoked in recent structural models for full-length β-amyloid fibrils, the MQNMR data indicate an in-register, parallel organization. This work provides site-specific, atomic-level structural constraints on full-length β-amyloid fibrils and applies MQNMR to a significant problem in structural biology.

The principal values of the chemical shift tensors of all 13 C and 15 N sites in two antibiotics, ampicillin and penicillin-V, were determined by 2-dimensional p hase a djusted s pinning s ideband (2D-PASS) and conventional CP/MAS experiments. The 13 C and 15 N chemical shift anisotropies (CSA), and their confidence limits, were evaluated using a Mathematica program. The CSA values suggest a revised assignment of the 2-methyl 13 C sites in the case of ampicillin. We speculate on a relationship between the chemical shift principal values of many of the 13 C and 15 N sites and the β-lactam ring conformation.

Solid-state 31P-NMR is used to investigate the orientation of the phosphodiester backbone in NaDNA-, LiDNA-, MgDNA-, and NaDNA-netropsin fibers. The results for A- and B-DNA agree with previous interpretations. We verify that the binding of netropsin to NaDNA stabilizes the B form, and find that in NaDNA, most of the phosphate groups adopt a conformation typical of the A form, although there are minor components with phosphate orientations close to the B form. For LiDNA and MgDNA samples, on the other hand, we find phosphate conformations that are in variance with previous models. These samples display x-ray diffraction patterns that correspond to C-DNA. However, we find two distinct phosphate orientations in these samples, one resembling that in B-DNA, and one displaying a twist of the PO4 groups about the O3-P-O4 bisectors. The latter conformation is not in accordance with previous models of C-DNA structure. Upprättat; 1997; 20070417 (bajo)

Five halogen-free orthoborate salts comprised of three different cations (cholinium, pyrrolidinium and imidazolium) and two orthoborate anions, bis(mandelato)borate and bis(salicylato)borate, were synthesised and characterised by DSC, X-ray diffraction and NMR. DSC measurements revealed that glass transition points of these orthoborate salts are in the temperature range from −18 to −2 °C. In addition, it was found that [EMPy][BScB] and [EMIm][BScB] salts have solid–solid phase transitions below their melting points, i.e. they exhibit typical features of plastic crystals. Salts of the bis(salicylato)borate anion [BScB]− have higher melting points compared with corresponding salts of the bis(mandelato)borate anion [BMB]−. Single crystal X-ray diffraction crystallography (for [Chol][BScB] crystals) and solid-state multinuclear (13C, 11B and 15N) NMR spectroscopy were employed for the structural characterisation of [Chol][BScB], [EMPy][BScB] and [EMIm][BScB], which are solids at room temperature: a strong interaction between [BScB]− anions and [Chol]+ cations was identified as (i) hydrogen bonding between OH of [Chol]+ and carbonyl groups of [BScB]− and (ii) as the inductive C–H⋯π interaction. In the other salt, [EMIm][BScB], anions exhibit π⋯π stacking in combination with C–H⋯π interactions with [EMIm]+ cations. These interactions were not identified in [EMPy][BScB] probably because of the lack of aromaticity in cations of the latter system. Our data on the formation of a lanthanum complex with bis(salicylato)borate in the liquid mixture of La3+(aq) with [Chol][BScB] suggest that this class of novel ILs can be potentially used in the extraction processes of metal ions of rare earth elements.

The structure and dynamics of the radical cation of deuteriated tetrahydrofuran ([2H8]THF) stabilized in the freon matrices CFCl3 and CF3CCl3 have been investigated by means of EPR and ENDOR spectroscopy. The EPR and ENDOR results of the rigid structure give two pairs of strongly interacting β-deuterium hf splittings [aD= 1.36 (2 D) and aD= 0.60 mT (2 D)] consistent with the protonated analogue [Kubodera et al., J. Phys. Chem., 1981, 85, 2583 (ref. 1)]. An additional hf splitting (0.9–1.1 mT) assigned to the matrix fluorine was resolved above ca. 110 K in CFCl3. The temperature dependent EPR lineshapes (77–145 K) involving the exchange between four coupled (I= 1) nuclei have been analysed. A two-site model explained qualitatively the alterating line-widths at intermediate temperatures and resulted in an activation energy of ca. 1.7 kcal mol–1 A non-perturbative approach adopting a four-site model to account for puckering motion was tested. The dynamics were also manifested as a reversible temperature effect for the ENDOR. The relative abundance of resonances due to an averaged (hf) structure become predominant as the temperature is increased.

Results for azoethane, 1,1′-azopropane, 2,2′-azopropane, 1,1′-azoadamantane, 2,3-diazabicyclo-[2.2.2]oct-2-ene (DBO), 1,4-dimethyl-2,3-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-2-ene (Me2DBO) and cis and trans-azobenzene radical cations are presented, as formed in solid freon matrices at low temperatures. The azoalkane radical cations are all formed in σ-states, corresponding to ionisation of the ag orbital (out-of-phase lone-pair combination), while for the trans-azobenzene radical cation the assignment to the π-state cannot be definitely excluded, although experimental evidence would appear to suggest the σ-state: the cis-azobenzene radical cation isomerises to the trans-isomer. Semi-empirical calculations were also performed on selected examples of the above species, the conclusions from which are discussed.

The most well-established structural feature of amyloid fibrils is the cross-beta motif, an extended beta-sheet structure formed by beta-strands oriented perpendicular to the long fibril axis. Direct experimental identification of non-beta-strand conformations in amyloid fibrils has not been reported previously. Here we report the results of solid-state NMR measurements on amyloid fibrils formed by the 40-residue beta-amyloid peptide associated with Alzheimer's disease (Abeta(1-40)), prepared synthetically with pairs of (13)C labels at consecutive backbone carbonyl sites. The measurements probe the peptide backbone conformation in residues 24-30, a segment where a non-beta-strand conformation has been suggested by earlier sequence analysis, cross-linking experiments, and molecular modeling. Data obtained with the fpRFDR-CT, DQCSA, and 2D MAS exchange solid-state NMR techniques, which provide independent constraints on the phi and psi backbone torsion angles between the labeled carbonyl sites, indicate non-beta-strand conformations at G25, S26, and G29. These results represent the first site-specific identification and characterization of non-beta-strand peptide conformations in an amyloid fibril.

We demonstrate the ability of multidimensional Laplace NMR (LNMR), comprising relaxation and diffusion experiments, to reveal essential information about microscopic phase structures and dynamics of ionic liquids that is not observable using conventional NMR spectroscopy or other techniques.