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17O Nuclear Magnetic Relaxation in a Protein–Water System

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Abstract

THE phenomenon of nuclear spin-lattice relaxation for 17O in isotopically enriched water has previously been discussed1,2. The relaxation times for 17O compounds are governed entirely by the rotational reorientation times of the molecules, because of the very large electric quadrupole moment of the 17O nucleus. This is not true for spin S = ½ nuclei such as 1H. For these, spin-lattice relaxation is governed both by intramolecular (rotational) motions and intermolecular motions (relative motions of other neighbouring nuclear or electron magnetic moments). Proton relaxation times are very susceptible to the presence of dissolved paramagnetic impurities while 17O relaxation is very much less sensitive. In the past the sensitivity of proton relaxation times to this factor has caused some trouble with the interpretation of relaxation times in solutions of biopolymers3.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, New York

    JAY A. GLASEL

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  1. JAY A. GLASEL
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GLASEL, J. 17O Nuclear Magnetic Relaxation in a Protein–Water System. Nature 218, 953–955 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1038/218953a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/218953a0

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