Spin-decoupling difference spectroscopy

The total correlation spectroscopy (TOCSY) techniques, which come in both 1- and 2-D versions, offer an alternative to 1-D spin decoupling and COSY methods for establishing through-bond connectivities. The important difference between the two is that TOCSY methods allow easy identification of isolated spin systems. For example, using our trusty morpholine compound once more, you can see that it is possible to identify the -CH2-CH2- spin system between the nitrogen and the oxygen atoms, these hetero-atoms, effectively isolating the protons from all others in the molecule. 

During the last few years the versatility of ENDOR spectroscopy has been improved by a number of new techniques which make use either of special types of pumping fields (CP-ENDOR, PM-ENDOR), of more than one rf field (DOUBLE ENDOR, multiple quantum transitions, nuclear spin decoupling) or a different display of the spectrum (EI-EPR). In addition to these techniques, alternative methods have been developed (electron spin echo and electron spin echo ENDOR) which are able to supplement or to replace the ENDOR experiment under certain conditions. The utility of all these various advanced techniques, particularly in studies of transition metal compounds, has recently been demonstrated. 

Interproton NOEs are normally measured in 1-D NMR by difference spectroscopy. Decoupling must not take place, for this affects spin populations substantially. Instead, one irradiates the chosen resonances in cyclic sequence, including one irradiation into a blank region of the spectrum to provide a spectrum from which the other spectra may be subtracted. The irradiations are highly selective, e.g. 10 Hz, because of the low irradiation power. 

The second difficulty is not encountered in proton spectroscopy, where proportionality between peak area and concentration of the respective sequence is virtually guaranteed, but is present in caibon spectroscopy where one works under heteronuclear broad-band decoupling conditions. Under such conditions, both the nuclear Oveihauser effect (NOE) and the differences in spin-lattice relaxation time T, can alter the intensity. In this connection, however, Schaefer showed that for the different C nuclei inside the polymer chain, because of the restricted molecular movement, there are no large differences in NOE (121). 

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