β-radiation detected nuclear magnetic resonance (β-NMR) spectroscopy is an ultrasensitive NMR technique which is based on the detection of β-particles emitted anisotropically by spin polarized nuclei. The combination of nuclear spin polarization and high detection efficiency of β-particles gives rise to a billion fold (109) or higher increase in sensitivity as compared to conventional NMR, and allows for interrogation of elements which are otherwise difficult to access. β-NMR has been applied in nuclear and solid state physics for over six decades, and here we present recent advances of the technique within inorganic chemistry and perspectives in bioinorganic chemistry. β-NMR has been applied multiple times in measurements on Mg2+ and Li+ in ionic liquid solutions at TRIUMF, Canada’s particle accelerator centre [1-3]. In contrast to any previously reported measurements for Mg2+ ions, 25 mM MgCl2 in EMIM-Ac and in EMIM-DCA compare favourably with conventional 25Mg NMR, but do not suffer from line broadening due to quadrupole interactions (I=1/2 for 31Mg while I=5/2 for 25Mg), as shown Fig. 1. All spectra exhibit high resolution allowing for discrimination of species with oxygen and nitrogen coordination. Furthermore, just recently β-NMR has also been applied to study of Mg2+ binding to ATP – the energy currency of life – in ionic liquid solution [4]. To demonstrate the potential of the technique, recent advances of β-NMR measurements in liquids, will be presented and discussed. Furthermore, in this contribution we will also highlight the advances made towards β-NMR measurements using Cu and Ac isotopes, and discuss future plans in detail.

Applications of β-NMR spectroscopy in inorganic chemistry

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

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