Assignment of solid-state C and H NMR spectra of paramagnetic Ni(II) acetylacetonate complexes aided by first-principles computations.

Recent advances in computational methodology allowed for first-principles calculations of the nuclear shielding tensor for a series of paramagnetic nickel(II) acetylacetonate complexes, [Ni(acac)L] with L = HO, DO, NH, ND, and PMePh have provided detailed insight into the origin of the paramagnetic contributions to the total shift tensor. This was employed for the assignment of the solid-state H and C MAS NMR spectra of these compounds. The two major contributions to the isotropic shifts are by orbital (diamagnetic-like) and contact mechanism. The orbital shielding, contact, as well as dipolar terms all contribute to the anisotropic component. The calculations suggest reassignment of the C methyl and carbonyl resonances in the acac ligand [Inorg. Chem.53, 2014, 399] leading to isotropic paramagnetic shifts of δ(C) ≈ 800-1100 ppm and ≈180-300 ppm for C for the methyl and carbonyl carbons located three and two bonds away from the paramagnetic Ni(II) ion, respectively. Assignment using three different empirical correlations, i.e., paramagnetic shifts, shift anisotropy, and relaxation (T) were ambiguous, however the latter two support the computational results. Thus, solid-state NMR spectroscopy in combination with modern quantum-chemical calculations of paramagnetic shifts constitutes a promising tool for structural investigations of metal complexes and materials.