BACKGROUND

NMR spectroscopy is a key tool in the atomic or molecular level understanding of systems including proteins, polymers, supramolecular complexes, natural products, catalysts… though it is limited by its intrinsic poor sensitivity.

Enhancing NMR sensitivity is now at stake; Dynamic Nuclear Polarization (DNP) is being particularly promising. Introduction of increasingly efficient polarizing agents has lead to continuous improvement of signal enhancement factors.

KEY BENEFITS vs. STATE OF THE ART

• New patented family of compounds (rigid biradical-type dinitroxide polarizing agents) showed strongest 13C enhancements in solid state DNP NMR experiments

• Higher sensitivity allows quicker analysis and uncovers new, high impact, areas of applications such as new materials or biological structures determinations

• Experiments can be performed at 100 K avoiding the use of helium required with dissolution DNP-experiments (~1 K)

• Simple synthesis and easy to handle paramagnetic species

• Soluble in both organic solvents and water

Development Status

Development of improved polarizing agents for increased sensitivity and solubility in water.

APPLICATIONS

• Analytical science: structure determination (new materials, nanosciences), ...
• Drug industry: determination of stereochemistry
• Environmental analysis: determination of traces of pollutant
• Medical diagnosis