High-field liquid state NMR hyperpolarization: a combined DNP/NMRD approach

Here we show how fast dynamics between radicals and solvent molecules in liquid solutions can be detected by comparison of coupling factors determined by nuclear magnetic relaxation dispersion (NMRD) measurements and dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) enhancement measurements at high magnetic field (9.2 T). This is important for a theoretical understanding of the Overhauser DNP mechanism at high magnetic fields and thus for optimization of the DNP agent/target system for high resolution liquid state NMR applications. Mixtures of the solution of TEMPOL radicals in water, toluene, acetone and DMSO have been investigated. The results are compared to the classical hard-sphere model and molecular dynamic simulations. Our results clearly indicate that fast sub-ps dynamics, which are not related to classical rotational or translational motion of the molecules, significantly contribute to the Overhauser DNP mechanism at high magnetic fields.