Study of Chemical Exchange by 2D NMR

The NMR signal of a spin reflects its local magnetic environment. If a spin due to chemical exchange samples two magnetically different states then its NMR signal would reflect both states. Its appearance on a NMR spectrum would be determined by the dynamics of the exchange event. In the case of chemical exchange that is slow on the NMR time scale, it is possible to observe two distinct signals for the same spin, one signal for each state under exchange. Presence of chemical exchange is often demonstrated with the exchange experiment (2D NOESY experiment). A exchange peak (cross peak) of the same sign can be observed between the two autopeaks (diagonal peaks) that represent the two states under exchange. Because the same results can be interpreted in a different way based on NOE, further evidence is desirable.