Skip to main content
Chemistry LibreTexts

Heteronuclear Correlations

  • Page ID
    1806
  • \( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \) \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)\(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)\(\newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)

    The heteronuclear correlation of chemical shifts by scalar coupling derives from the existence of heteronuclear scalar coupling all owing a magnetization transfer from the more sensitive nucleus (1H) toward the less sensitive nucleus (13C). The model experiment is the correlation δ(13C)/ δ(1H) which uses the large direct coupling 1J(13C-1H) comprised between more 100 Hz and 200Hz and which allows to correlate the signals from a proton to that of a 13C to which it is bound (5).

    The XHCORR sequence

    This sequence allows to correlate the signals of the 1H and of the 13C bound to each other (13). Spectrum 11 (XHCORR), shows the correlations for the dihydrofuran (Fig. 31) between bound carbons and protons. The chemical shifts of the protons of these molecules are in the table 2, those of the carbon are in the table 3.

    fig31[1].jpg
    Fig. 31. The dibenzofuran (D.B.F.)

    Table 2: DBF protons chemical shift.

    Table 3: DBF carbons chemical shift

    spectre11[1].jpg

    Spectrum: XHCORR of the DBF

    Within the XHCORR pulse sequence (Fig. 25), transverse magnetization is caused by a chapitre3_2_2_en_2[1].png impulsion which is evolving during the t1 period. The chapitre3_2_2_en_4[1].png impulsion (13C), located in the middle of this period refocuses the heteronuclear couplings.

    The optimization of the chapitre3_2_2_en_6[1].png and chapitre3_2_2_en_7[1].png delays allows the selection of the long range heteronuclear couplings, this means that instead of seeing the correlation between 13C and protons directly bound chapitre3_2_2_en_8[1].png, we favor the appearance of the correlations spots between 13C and non bound protons (HNB).

    For example, for a coupling constant J=10 Hz then chapitre3_2_2_en_6[1].png =50 ms and chapitre3_2_2_en_7[1].png =33 ms.

    fig25[1].jpg
    Fig. 25: The XHCORR pulse sequence.

    The COLOC sequence (COrrelation via LOng range Coupling)

    The sequence which is used (Fig. 26) allows generally a good correlation between the quaternary carbons and the neighbouring protons. On the spectrum 12 (COLOC), the correlation between the quaternary carbon (13C = δ = 156. 2 ppm) and its vicinal proton (δ = 7.7 ppm) is named Cq. However, it does not give good results for long range correlations involving protonated carbons (14). This observation led to write a pulse sequence named XC ORFE (X nucleus proton CORrelation with Fixed Evolution time). This one is very closed to the COLOC sequence.

    fig26[1].jpg
    Fig. 26: The COLOC pulse sequence (14).

    spectre12[1].jpg

    Spectrum 12: COLOC of DBF

    Heteronuclear 2D J-resolved Pulse Sequence

    In this experiment we observe the coupling J between the X nuclei (13C, 15N, 31P ...etc ) and the protons which are bound to them (Fig. 27). A coupled normal 1D spectrum XH may be very difficult to explain. This is due to the intercrossing of the multiplets (12). For simplifying the spectra, we will spread the coupling data in the Fl dimension and the informations arising from the chemical shifts in the F2 dimension.

    fig27[1].jpg
    Fig. 27: The 2D J-resolved heteronuclear pulse sequence.

    The results are given for the saccharine (Fig. 29). The F2 carbon (108 ppm) is a quaternary one because we may observe only one spot devoid of coupling. The G1 carbon (95 ppm) is a CH because there are two correlation spots. Moreover, the coupling constant between this 13C and this 1H is of 80 Hz approximately (Spectrum 13 and 14).

    spectre13[1].jpg

    Spectrum 13: Heteronuclear 2D J-resolved

    The Heteronuclear correlation of chemical shifts in inverse detection. What is the reverse detection? The reverse detection or indirect detection affords the NMR parameters (chemical shifts, t1, ...) of a weakly sensitive X nucleus by observing it through a much more sensitive nucleus (generally the proton) (1.5).


    Heteronuclear Correlations is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Marc Bria.

    • Was this article helpful?