Simplifying LR-HSQC spectra using a triple-quantum filter: The LR-HTQC experiment

Long-range heteronuclear single quantum correlation (LR-HSQC) experiments may be applied for detecting long-range correlations but suffer from two disadvantages, common to all heteronuclear long-range correlation experiments: (i) The information density in LR-HSQC spectra may be too high to be used directly without "filtering out" shorter range correlations, and (ii) often, substantial differences in intensity among cross peaks exist, potentially hampering the visualization of weak, often crucial cross peaks. In this contribution, we propose a modified LR-HSQC experiment, the LR-HTQC experiment (Long-Range Heteronuclear Triple Quantum Correlation) that partially solves the problems aforementioned. We show theoretically and experimentally that the LR-HTQC experiment removes the intense cross peaks of CH spin pairs, substantially reduces the medium intensity of cross peaks originating from CHH' spin systems, whereas the typically weak intensity of cross peaks of CHH'H″ and C(H)_n, _{n > 3} spin systems is less affected. Consequently, the LR-HTQC experiment affords simplified long-range heteronuclear shift correlation spectra and scales down large intensity differences among different types of cross peaks, although a certain general reduction of signal intensities has to be accepted.