J -Resolved Molecular Fingerprinting by Parahydrogen Hyperpolarized Low-Field NMR
A J-resolved spectroscopy that depends on homonuclear scalar coupling in the strong-coupling regime and heteronuclear coupling in the weak regime expands complex peak patterns to a second axis. Hyperpolarization by Signal Amplification by Reversible Exchange (SABRE) enables the spectroscopy at a low magnetic field of 0.82 mT. Overlapping peaks of molecules such as 3-fluoropyridine and 3,5-difluoropyridine are resolved. Density matrix simulations of the 1 H and 19 F spins indicate a strong dependence on the signs and values of the J-coupling constants, including the homonuclear couplings that are not directly observable. The best matching peak positions and intensities predict coupling constants, including couplings between chemically equivalent nuclear spins, ranging in magnitude from 0.4 to 9.0 Hz for the two molecules. Simulations of other spin systems show unique patterns for molecules containing 1 H and 19 F or 13 C. The dependence of the J-resolved peak patterns on all coupling constants in a spin system presents a new modality for portable and inexpensive identification of molecules.