An Easy and Reliable Method for the Mitigation of Deuterated Chloroform Decomposition to Stabilise Susceptible NMR Samples

Highly reactive decomposition products of deuterated chloroform can deteriorate samples dissolved in this commonly used solvent for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Samples for metabolomics studies often contain a complex mixture of sensitive substances such as phospholipids, peptides, unsaturated fatty acids or vitamins. If these react with decomposition products (of chloroform), abnormal NMR spectra could result, e.g., signal shifts depending on pH, attenuation of signals over time due to chemical changes of analytes or new signals from reaction products. Such irreproducibly influenced spectra are especially problematic for non-targeted analysis methods using automated chemometrical data evaluation. To prevent these artefacts, chlorine, phosgene and hydrochloric acid need to be eliminated from deuterated chloroform before its use. Since the common stabilisation methods have proven to be insufficient for sensitive NMR samples, another purging method has been tested: Mitigation is easily and reliably achieved by washing the deuterated chloroform with concentrated disodium carbonate solution and subsequent desiccation with oven-dried disodium carbonate.

Automated summary

Highly reactive decomposition products of deuterated chloroform can cause irreversible impact on samples dissolved in this commonly used solvent for NMR spectroscopy, resulting in inaccurate results for non-targeted analysis methods. To prevent this, chlorine, phosgene and hydrochloric acid should be eliminated from deuterated chloroform before use. Another purification method tested is washing the deuterated chloroform with concentrated disodium carbonate solution and subsequent desiccation.