Computational and Experimental ¹H-NMR Study of Hydrated Mg-Based Minerals

Magnesium oxide (MgO) can convert to different magnesium-containing compounds depending on exposure and environmental conditions. Many MgO-based phases contain hydrated species allowing ¹H-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to be used in the characterization and quantification of proton-containing phases; however, surprisingly limited examples have been reported. Here, ¹H-magic angle spinning (MAS) NMR spectra of select Mg-based minerals are presented and assigned. These experimental results are combined with computational NMR density functional theory (DFT) periodic calculations to calibrate the predicted chemical shielding results. This correlation is then used to predict the NMR shielding for a series of different MgO hydroxide, magnesium chloride hydrate, magnesium perchlorate, and magnesium cement compounds to aid in the future assignment of ¹H-NMR spectra for complex Mg phases.