Applications of solid-state 31P NMR spectroscopy

Solid-state P-31 NMR spectroscopy has meanwhile found an overwhelming variety of applications. Phosphorous is an important chemical element in biology as well as materials science. Numerous proteins occur in the phosphorylated state. Nucleic acids and phospholipids contain phosphate groups as well. Phosphorylation/dephosphorylation reactions play a crucial role in many biological processes. Furthermore, phosphorous compounds such as phosphate glasses, porous alumino-phosphates, phosphorous-containing semiconductors, and many others are extremely important and interesting materials. During the past years, solid-state NMR spectroscopy has become a very valuable analytical tool in biology, as well as materials science due to its remarkable methodical and technical progresses. In particular, the invention of magic angle spinning devices with sample spinning rates up to 70kHz, the development of advanced spin polarization transfer and decoupling techniques as well as the commercial availability of superconducting wide-bore magnets with magnetic fields up to ca. 20T were remarkable breakthroughs . Many multidimensional NMR techniques which were limited to liquid-state NMR spetroscopy in former times can now be applied in solid-state NMR spectroscopy as well. The aim of the present review is to discuss and summarize recent methodical developments and applications of solid-state P-31 NMR spectroscopy.