Search

The NMR spectrum of n-hexane orientationally ordered in the nematic liquid crystal ZLI-1132 is analysed using covariance matrix adaptation evolution strategy (CMA-ES). The spectrum contains over 150 000 transitions, with many sharp features appearing above a broad, underlying background signal that results from the plethora of overlapping transitions from the n-hexane as well as from the liquid crystal. The CMA-ES requires initial search ranges for NMR spectral parameters, notably the direct dipolar couplings. Several sets of such ranges were utilized, including three from MD simulations and others from the modified chord model that is specifically designed to predict hydrocarbon-chain dipolar couplings. In the end, only inaccurate dipolar couplings from an earlier study utilizing proton-proton double quantum 2D-NMR techniques on partially deuterated n-hexane provided the necessary estimates. The precise set of dipolar couplings obtained can now be used to investigate conformational averaging of n-hexane in a nematic environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The NMR spectra of n-pentane as solute in the liquid crystal 5CB are measured at several temperatures in the nematic phase. Atomistic molecular dynamics simulations of this system are carried out to predict the dipolar couplings of the orientationally ordered pentane, and the spectra predicted from these simulations are compared with the NMR experimental ones. The simulation predictions provide an excellent starting point for analysis of the experimental NMR spectra using the covariance matrix adaptation evolutionary strategy. This shows both the power of atomistic simulations for aiding spectral analysis and the success of atomistic molecular dynamics in modeling these anisotropic systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]