The exchange of molecules between different physical or chemical environments due to diffusion or chemical transformations has a crucial role in a plethora of fundamental processes such as breathing, protein folding, chemical reactions and catalysis. Here, we introduce a method for a single-scan, ultrafast NMR analysis of molecular exchange based on the diffusion coefficient contrast. The method shortens the experiment time by one to four orders of magnitude. Consequently, it opens the way for high sensitivity quantification of important transient physical and chemical exchange processes such as in cellular metabolism. As a proof of principle, we demonstrate that the method reveals the structure of aggregates formed by surfactants relevant to aerosol research.

由于扩散或化学转化，不同物理或化学环境之间的分子交换在诸如呼吸，蛋白质折叠，化学反应和催化等众多基本过程中起着至关重要的作用。在这里，我们介绍一种基于扩散系数对比的分子交换单扫描超快NMR分析方法。该方法将实验时间缩短了一个到四个数量级。因此，它为重要的瞬态物理和化学交换过程（如细胞代谢）的高灵敏度定量分析开辟了道路。作为原理的证明，我们证明了该方法揭示了与气溶胶研究相关的表面活性剂形成的聚集体的结构。