B-11 NMR Spectroscopy Testing Services

B-11 NMR (Boron-11 NMR) spectroscopy for analyzing boron-containing compounds and materials.

Boron is an emerging element of interest due to its unique chemical properties arising from its empty p-orbital. B-11 NMR is essential for characterizing boronic acids, borates, carboranes, and other boron-containing compounds used in pharmaceuticals, materials science, and catalysis.

B-11 NMR Chemical Shift Reference

B-11 NMR chemical shift ranges for different boron compounds including boronic acids, borates, and carboranes

B-11 NMR chemical shift ranges for common boron-containing compounds

What is B-11 NMR?

B-11 NMR spectroscopy detects the 11B isotope of boron, which has several advantages over 10B:

Why B-11 is Preferred

  • Higher sensitivity - Greater magnetogyric constant
  • Natural abundance - 80.1% vs 19.9% for B-10
  • Sharper signals - Narrower line widths
  • Faster acquisition - Better signal-to-noise ratio

When to Use B-10

  • Enriched samples - If your compound is B-10 enriched
  • Specialized applications - Specific research requirements
  • Nuclear studies - Isotope-specific investigations

Note: B-10 generally produces broader signals unless enriched

Common Applications of B-11 NMR

Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry

  • Boronic acid derivatives - Drug candidates and protease inhibitors
  • Suzuki coupling products - Boronic acids and esters as synthetic intermediates
  • Boron-containing antibiotics - Novel antimicrobial agents

Materials Science & Chemistry

  • Carboranes - Icosahedral boron clusters for materials applications
  • Borates and polyborates - Glass additives, flame retardants
  • Boranes - Hydride chemistry and hydrogen storage
  • Boron-doped materials - Semiconductors and ceramics

Catalysis

  • Boron-based catalysts - Lewis acid catalysis
  • Organoboron reagents - Cross-coupling reactions
  • Frustrated Lewis pairs - Small molecule activation

Technical Considerations for B-11 NMR

Background Signal from Borosilicate Glass

A common challenge in B-11 NMR is the presence of a broad baseline signal from boron in:

  • Standard NMR tubes - Most are made from borosilicate glass
  • NMR probe components - Some probes contain boron

Solution: We can use special quartz NMR tubes to minimize background interference and provide cleaner spectra for your samples, but be aware our NMR probe has a insert that is made from Borosilicate Glass so it will not completely remove the background signal.

Chemical Shift Ranges

Different boron environments have characteristic chemical shifts (see spectrum above):

  • Tricoordinate boron (sp²) - Typically 20-50 ppm (boronic acids, boranes)
  • Tetracoordinate boron (sp³) - Typically -5 to 20 ppm (borates, boronate esters)
  • Carboranes - Typically -15 to 0 ppm

Sample Requirements

Sample Amount

  • Minimum: 5-10 mg
  • Recommended: 10-20 mg for best results
  • Higher concentration = better signal-to-noise
  • Contact us if sample is limited

Sample Preparation

  • Solvent: Deuterated solvents (CDCl₃, DMSO-d₆, D₂O, etc.)
  • Purity: Higher purity recommended
  • Concentration: 10-30 mM typical
  • Special tubes: Quartz tubes available for a fee if requested

Turnaround Time & Pricing

Standard Turnaround: 3-5 business days

Rush Service: Contact us for expedited analysis

For pricing information and to discuss your specific boron NMR needs, please visit our Pricing page or contact us.

Why Choose NuMega for B-11 NMR?

Expert Analysis

Experienced with boron chemistry and specialized NMR techniques

Quality Equipment

500 MHz Bruker NMR with specialized probes and quartz tubes available

Ready to Analyze Your Boron Compounds?

Submit your samples for B-11 NMR analysis

Submit a Sample Request a Quote

Phone: (858) 793-6057 | Email: NuMegaLab@NuMegaLabs.com

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