Molecular Association Studied by NMR Spectroscopy

Abstract: This Thesis presents studies of molecular association in aqueous solution and at the liquid/solid interface. The investigated molecular systems range from self-aggregating surfactants to hydration water in contact with micelles or individual molecules. In most studies, combinations of various NMR methods were applied. These vary from simple chemical shift and intensity measurements to more elaborate self-diffusion and intermolecular cross-relaxation experiments.Non-ideal mixed micelles of fluorinated and hydrogenated surfactants were studied by an experimental procedure that allows an analysis in terms of micellar structure, using a minimal number of initial assumptions. Quantitative conclusions about micro-phase separation within mixed micelles were obtained within the framework of the regular solution theory. Additionally, NMR was introduced and developed as a powerful method for studying adsorption of surfactants at solid interfaces. Adsorption isotherms for pure and mixed surfactant systems and non-ideal mixing behavior of fluorinated and hydrogenated surfactants at solid surfaces were quantified. Fluorosurfactant-protein association was investigated using the methods described.Intermolecular cross-relaxation rates between solute and solvent molecules were recorded at several different magnetic fields. The results reveal strong frequency dependence for both small molecules and micelles. This finding demonstrates that intermolecular cross-relaxation is not solely controlled by fast local motions, but also by long-range translational dynamics. Data analysis in terms of recently developed relaxation models provides information about the hydrophobic hydration and micellar structure.