1H and 13C NMR studies of glycine in anisotropic media: double-quantum transitions and the effects of chiral interactions.

The (1)H NMR spectrum of glycine in stretched gelatin gel and in cromolyn liquid crystal displays a well-resolved doublet due to (1)H-(1)H dipolar interaction. Multiple spectra were obtained within a wide range of offset frequencies of partially saturating radio-frequency (RF) radiation to generate steady-state irradiation envelopes or z-spectra of glycine. Maximal suppression of the doublet occurred when the irradiation was applied exactly at the centre frequency, between the two glycine peaks. This phenomenon is due to double-quantum transitions and is similar to our previous work on quadrupolar nuclei (2)H (HDO) and (23)Na(+). When the (13)C isotopomer glycine-2-(13)C was used, the same effect was found in twice, split by (1)J(CH)+2D(CH). Additional signals in (1)H and (13)C NMR due to prochiral-chiral interactions were found when glycine-2-(13)C was dissolved in chiral anisotropic gelatin and κ-carrageenan gels. The NMR spectra were successfully simulated assuming a (2)J(HH) coupling constant of -16.5Hz and two distinct dipolar coupling constants for the -(13)CH(2)- group (D(C,HA), and D(C,HB)).