Spectral simplification of proton homonuclear correlation experiments utilizing ω1, ω2 fluorine decoupling

Decoupling 19F during data acquisition is extensively used to simplify proton spectral interpretation of fluorinated compounds. Decoupling applied during the acquisition time (t2) of a 2D experiment, however, only produces partially decoupled spectra as the heteronuclear coupling continues to evolve during t1. The resulting partially decoupled spectra can be difficult to interpret and interferes with cross peak analysis in phase sensitive DQF-COSY. Here we present a procedure for effectively decoupling 19F in both frequency domains, ω1 and ω2. The pulse sequences employed utilize a 180° pulse on 19F placed in the center of the t1 evolution time of the 2D experiment which refocuses the heteronuclear J coupling. Standard broadband decoupling during t2 then produces fully decoupled spectra. This gated decoupling procedure has significant advantages over the alternative of continuous broadband decoupling. This is especially true when the 19F signals are far apart in frequency and power requirements become prohibitive even for continuous adiabatic decoupling.