Two-dimensional high-resolution NMR spectra in matched B-0 and B-1 field gradients

In a recent publication we presented a method to obtain highly resolved NMR spectra in the presence of an inhomogeneous B-0 field with the help of a matched RF gradient. If RF gradient pulses are combined with "ideal" 90degrees pulses to form inhomogeneous z rotation pulses, the line broadening caused by the B-0 gradient can be refocused, while the full chemical shift information is maintained. This approach is of potential use for NMR spectroscopy in an inhomogeneous magnetic field produced by an "ex-situ" surface spectrometer. In this contribution, we extend this method toward two-dimensional spectroscopy with high resolution in one or both dimensions. Line narrowing in the indirect dimension can be achieved by two types of nutation echoes, thus leading to depth-sensitive NMR spectra with full chemical shift information. If the nutation echo in the indirect dimension is combined with a stroboscopic acquisition using inhomogeneous z-rotation pulses, highly resolved two-dimensional correlation spectra can be obtained in matched field gradients. Finally, we demonstrate that an INEPT coherence transfer from proton to carbon spins is possible in inhomogeneous B-0 fields. Thus, it is possible to obtain one-dimensional C-13 NMR spectra with increased sensitivity and two-dimensional HETCOR spectra in the presence of B-0 gradients of 0.4 mT/cm. These schemes may be of some value for ex-situ NMR analysis of materials and biological systems. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science (USA).