This thesis combines solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), chemical synthesis, isotopic enrichment and density-functional theory (DFT) calculations to provide insight into a number of microporous materials. The first class of materials studied is metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), where the presence of paramagnetic ions has a range of effects on the ¹³C NMR spectra, depending on the nature of the ligand-metal interactions. For the Cu²⁺-based MOFs, HKUST-1 and STAM-1, the assignment of the NMR spectra is non-intuitive, and unambiguous assignment requires specific ¹³C labelling of the organic linker species. It is shown that ¹³C NMR spectra of these two MOFs could act as a sensitive probe of the nature of “guest” molecules bound to the Cu²⁺. The second class of materials is aluminophosphates (AlPOs). It is shown that, using a series of relatively simple linear relationships with the crystal structure, the NMR parameters calculated by DFT (with calculation times of several hours) can be predicted, often with experimentally-useful accuracy, in a matter of seconds using the DIStortion analysis COde (DISCO), which is introduced here. The ambient hydration of the AlPO, JDF-2, to AlPO-53(A) is shown to occur slowly, with incomplete hydration after ~3 months. The resulting AlPO-53(A) is disordered and some possible models for this disorder are investigated by DFT. The final class of materials is gallophosphates (GaPOs), particularly GaPO-34 and related materials. The two as-prepared forms of GaPO-34 are characterised by solid-state NMR, and their calcination investigated by TGA and in-situ powder XRD. An unusual dehydrofluorinated intermediate phase is isolated and characterised for the first time by solid-state NMR. The fully calcined material is shown to be stable under anhydrous conditions, but hydrates rapidly in air. The hydrated material is stable under ambient conditions, but collapses upon heating. Partial dehydration without collapse is achieved by gentle heating or room-temperature evacuation. The impurity phases, GaPO₄ berlinite and GaPO-X are investigated by solid-state NMR and, while the structure of GaPO-X remains unknown, much structural information is obtained.

Vidros nas composições 26,66\'B IND.2\'O IND.3\'-16\'GE\'O IND.2\'-4\'BI IND.2\'O IND.3\'-(53,33-x)\'PB\'O\'-x\'PB\'F IND.2\' com x até 30% mol foram sintetizados e caracterizados com respeito as suas propriedades térmicas e espectroscópicas. A substituição de \'PB\'O\' por \'PB\'F IND.2\' desloca a janela de transmissão óptica no ultravioleta para maiores energia. Os espectros Raman e Infravermelho foram interpretados em conjunto, e a partir desta análise identificou-se a ocorrência de uma leve conversão de unidades \'BO IND.3\' a unidades \'BO IND.4\', concomitante com o aumento da concentração de \'PB\'F IND.2\'. Utilizando RMN de alta resolução em sólidos dos núcleos \'ANTPOT. 11 B\' e \'ANTPOT. 19 F\', e diferentes técnicas de dupla ressonância \'ANTPOT. 11 B\'/\'ANTPOT. 19 F\' (REDOR, CPMAS e 2D-CPMAS), foi possível realizar uma análise estrutural quantitativa desses materiais. A fração encontrada de unidades estruturais \'BO IND.4\' é moderadamente maior comparada com vidros que apresentam a mesma razão de \'Pb\'O\'/\'B IND.2\'O IND.3\', quando \'PB\'F IND.2\' é acrescido no sistema, sugerindo a participação de \'PB\'F IND.2\' no processo de transformação da rede. Essa sugestão é confirmada a partir dos espectros de RMN de \'ANTPOT. 19 F\'. A maior parte dos íons fluoretos encontra-se na sua forma iônica, mas aproximadamente 20% atua como modificador de rede, resultando na formação de unidades \'BO IND.3/2\'F POT.-\'. Essas unidades foram identificadas por experimentos REDOR \'ANTPOT.19 F\' . Esses resultados fornecem as primeiras evidências das ligações B-F em sistemas vítreos modificados por \'PB\'F IND.2\'. Além disso, verifica-se que a maioria dos íons fluoretos é encontrada em um ambiente dominado por chumbo. As medidas de segundo momento dipolar homonuclear \'ANTPOT. 19 F\'-\'ANTPOT. 19 F\' a partir de experimentos por espectroscopia de decaimento de eco de spin são quantitativamente consistentes com um modelo no qual esses íons estão aleatoriamente distribuídos no interior de um subdomínio constituído de \'PB\'O\', \'BI IND.2\'O IND.3\' and \'PB\'F IND.2\'. Este modelo, que implica na coordenação dos átomos de flúor às espécies formadoras da rede borato em adição ao surgimento de íons de flúor, com certo grau de agregação, é consistente com todas as observações experimentais. / A series of heavy metal oxide (HMOG) glasses with composition 26,66\'B IND.2\'O IND.3\'-16\'GE\'O IND.2\'-4\'BI IND.2\'O IND.3\'-(53,33-x)\'PB\'O\'-x\'PB\'F IND.2\' with x until 40% mol, has been prepared and characterized with respect to their bulk (glass transition and crystallization temperature, densities, molar volumes) and spectroscopic properties. Homogeneous glasses are formed up to x = 30, while crystallization of \'beta\'- \'PB\'F IND.2\' takes place at higher contents. Substitution of \'PB\'O\' by \'PB\'F IND.2\' shifts the optical band gap towards higher energies, thereby extending the UV transmission window significantly towards higher frequencies. Raman and infrared absorption spectra can be interpreted in conjunction with published reference data. Using \'ANTPOT. 11 B\' and \'ANTPOT. 19 F\' high-resolution solid state NMR as well as \'ANTPOT. 11 B\'/\'ANTPOT. 19 F\' double resonance methodologies, we developed a quantitative structural description of this material. The fraction of four-coordinated boron is found to be moderately higher compared to that in glasses with the same \'PB\'O\'/\'B IND.2\'O IND.3\' ratios, suggesting some participation of \'PB\'F IND.2\' in the network transformation process. This suggestion is confirmed by the \'ANTPOT. 19 F\' NMR spectra. While the majority of the fluoride ions is present as ionic fluoride, approximately 20% of the fluorine inventory acts as a network modifier, resulting in the formation of four-coordinate \'BO IND.3/2\'F POT.-\' units. These units can be identified by \'ANTPOT. 19 F\' rotational echo double resonance and \'ANTPOT. 11 B\' cross-polarization magic angle spinning (CPMAS) data. These results provide the first unambiguous evidence of B-F bonding in a \'PB\'F IND.2\'-modified glass system. The majority of the fluoride ions are found in a lead-dominated environment. \'ANTPOT. 19 F\'-\'ANTPOT. 19 F\' homonuclear dipolar second moments measured by spin echo decay spectroscopy are quantitatively consistent with a model in which these ions are randomly distributed within the network modifier subdomain consisting of \'PB\'O\', \'BI IND.2\'O IND.3\' and \'PB\'F IND.2\'. This model, which implies both the features of atomic scale mixing with the network former borate species and some degree of fluoride ion clustering is consistent with all of the experimental data obtained on these glasses.

Avec l'âge, les propriétés mécaniques des os se détériorent, conduisant à un risque accru de fracture. Bien que les mesures de densité minérale osseuse permettent de prédire, dans une certaine mesure, ces risques, elles restent insuffisantes dans un grand nombre de cas. Une compréhension plus complète des différents facteurs permettant de définir la « qualité » d'un os est donc souhaitable. Il est connu que la résistance à la fracture de tissus osseux est affectée non seulement par la glycosylation non-enzymatique du collagène, mais aussi par des protéines non collagéneuses comme l'ostéocalcine (OC) et l'ostéopontine (OPN). Cependant, le rôle structural de ces deux protéines dans l'os est mal connu, de même que la façon dont elles contribuent aux propriétés mécaniques globales. L'objectif de cette thèse est donc de répondre à ces deux points. Un modèle synthétique a ainsi été développé pour élucider quelles sont les interactions-clés gouvernant l'interaction de l'OC et l'OPN avec la phase minérale osseuse. Par ailleurs, en utilisant des os de souris génétiquement modifiées (déficientes en OC et/ou OPN), des études RMN solide ont été menées, pour élucider le rôle de l'OC et l'OPN à l'interface organique-inorganique. Leur lien avec les propriétés mécaniques a aussi été étudié en détail, via des tests de rupture, de fatigue et de fluage. Les résultats obtenus montrent que l'OC et l'OPN ont un rôle structural important dans les tissus osseux, et qu'elles contribuent aux propriétés mécaniques par le biais de leurs interactions ioniques, au niveau des interfaces entre les fibrilles de collagène minéralisés. / The decrease in bone mechanical properties occurs with age. The associated fragility fractures present a global public health concern. The use of bone mineral density as a predictor of risk of fracture is, however, limited. A more comprehensive understanding of bone quality and its link to bone fragility is thus desirable. Besides the brittleness caused by nonenzymatic glycation of collagen, bone fracture resistance is also influenced by noncollagenous components such as osteocalcin (OC) and osteopontin (OPN). The structural role of OC and OPN in bone and how they contribute to mechanical properties is however unclear. The objective of this thesis is to elucidate these two aspects. Key interactions associated with the binding of OC and OPN to bone mineral were studied in a synthetic model. Using genetically modified animal model lacking OC and/or OPN, the role of OC and OPN in organic-inorganic interface was examined by solid state NMR, and their link to mechanical properties was studied via a series of tissue level mechanical tests, measuring fracture toughness, creep, or fatigue. Based on the results obtained, it is concluded that OC and OPN are present as structural elements in bone and contribute to tissue mechanical properties via ionic interactions at the interfaces between mineralized fibrils.

Apoptosis plays a crucial role in multicellular organisms by preserving tissue homeostasis and removing harmful cells. The anti-apoptotic B-cell CLL/lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and the pro-apoptotic Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) act as major regulators of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. Activation of Bax via stress signals causes its translocation to the mitochondrial outer membrane (MOM). There, Bax forms homo-oligomeric pores, leading to the release of apoptogenic factors, caspase activation and ultimately cell death. However, the underlying mechanism for the recruitment and pore forming activity of Bax is still not elucidated. Nevertheless, the mitochondrial membrane system seems to play an active and crucial role, presumably being directly involved in the onset of the mitochondrial apoptosis. Since the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a common stress signal and one of the hallmarks of the mitochondrial apoptosis, direct damage can occur to these membranes by the generation of oxidized phospholipids (OxPls), whose presence can crucially influence the pro-apoptotic action of Bax there. To better understand the impact of OxPls on membranes as well as their potential role in the mitochondrial apoptotic process, defined OxPl species were incorporated into phospholipid vesicles and studied with various biophysical techniques. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy were used to gain insight into changes in membrane properties in the presence of OxPls. In addition to circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, DSC and solid state NMR were furthermore performed to elucidate the impact of OxPls on Bax-membrane interactions. The occurrence of OxPls gave rise to dramatic changes in membrane organization and dynamics, manifested as lateral phase separation into OxPl-rich and -poor domains and modified hydration at the membrane interface. The presence of OxPls also had a great impact on the interaction between Bax and mitochondria-mimicking vesicles, strongly promoting the association of the protein with the membrane. At the MOM, Bax is believed to be inhibited by Bcl-2. How this inhibition occurs is still a mystery due to the lack of biophysical information on Bcl-2, in particular on the full-length protein variant. Since Bcl-2 is also one of the main culprits in the progression of various forms of cancer, knowledge of the structural and mechanistic properties of the full-length protein is essential for a fundamental understanding of its function at a molecular level. To this end, a method for the production of full-length Bcl-2 was developed. By performing cell-free protein synthesis, preparative amounts of the protein were obtained, which enabled a biophysical characterization of the putative interaction between Bax and Bcl-2 using CD and fluorescence spectroscopy. A protocol for the reconstitution of Bcl-2 into proteoliposomes was also developed, promising for future studies of the full-length protein in its native membrane environment; a prerequisite to fully understand its pro-survival functions as well as providing crucial information for the design of novel anti-cancer drugs.

A deposition - precipitation method was developed to produce magnesium hydroxide / zeolite 4A (Mg(OH)₂ - Z4A) nanocomposites at mild conditions and the effect of processing variables such as precursor concentration, type of base added, and synthesis time on the composition, size, and morphology of the nanocomposite were studied. It was determined that the precursor concentration, basicity, and synthesis time had a significant effect on the composition, size, and morphology of the deposited magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)₂) nanostructures. The properties of the Mg(OH)₂ - Z4A such as surface area, pore volume and composition were characterized. Mg(OH)₂ - Z4A samples and bare zeolite 4A were dispersed in Ultem® polymer to form a mixed matrix membrane. The thermal and mechanical properties of the resulting films were investigated. It was found that the addition of rigid bare zeolites into the polymer decreased the mechanical properties of the polymer composite. However, some of these adverse effects were mitigated in the polymer composite loaded with Mg(OH)₂ - Z4A samples. Isotherms for the adsorption of Mg(OH)₂ petals on zeolite 4A were measured in order to determine the optimum conditions for the formation of magnesium hydroxide / zeolite 4A nanocomposites at ambient conditions. The loading of the Mg(OH)₂ can be determined from the adsorption isotherms and it was also found that the adsorption of Mg(OH)₂ on zeolite A occurs via 3 mechanisms: ion exchange, surface adsorption of Mg²⁺ ions, and surface precipitation of Mg(OH)₂. Without the addition of ammonium hydroxide, the predominant processes are ion exchange and surface adsorption of Mg²⁺ ions. In the presence of ammonium hydroxide, Mg(OH)₂ crystals are precipitated on the surface of zeolite 4A at moderate Mg²⁺ ions concentration and the loading of Mg(OH)₂ was found to increase with increasing Mg²⁺ ions concentration. A detailed examination of the interactions between Mg(OH)₂ and functional groups on the zeolite surface was conducted. Solid-state 29Si, 27Al, and 1H NMR spectra were coupled with FTIR measurements, pH and adsorption studies, and thermogravimetric analyses to determine the interactions of Mg(OH)₂ with surface functional groups and to characterize structural changes in the resulting zeolite after Mg(OH)₂ deposition. It was discovered that acid - base interactions between the weakly basic Mg(OH)₂ and the acidic bridging hydroxyl protons on zeolite surface represent the dominant mechanism for the growth of Mg(OH)₂ nanostructures on the zeolite surface.

This PhD thesis presents a study of structure-composition correlations of bioactive glasses (BGs) by employing solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Silicate-based Na2O−CaO−SiO2−P2O5 BGs are utilized clinically and are extensively investigated for bone regeneration purposes. Once implanted in the human body, they facilitate bone regeneration by partially dissolving in the body fluids, followed by the formation of a biomimetic surface-layer of calcium hydroxy-carbonate apatite (HCA). Eventually, the implanted BG totally integrates with the bone. The bioactivity of melt-prepared BGs depends on their composition and structure, primarily on the phosphorus content and the average silicate-network connectivity (NC). We explored these composition-structure relationships for a set of BGs for which the NC and phosphorus contents were varied independently. The short-range structural features of the glasses were explored using 29Si and 31P magic-angle-spinning (MAS) NMR spectroscopy. 31P MAS NMR revealed that the orthophosphate content is directly proportional to the total P content of the glass, with a linear correlation observed between the orthophosphate content and the silicate network connectivity. The bearings of the results for future BG design are discussed. By using multiple-quantum coherence-based 31P NMR experiments, the spatial distribution of orthophosphate groups was probed in the melt prepared BGs, as well as in two mesoporous bioactive glasses prepared by an evaporation-induced self-assembly technique. The results evidence randomly distributed orthophosphate groups in the melt-prepared BGs, whereas the pore-walls of the mesoporous bioactive glasses constitute nanometer-sized clusters of calcium phosphate. The distribution of Na+ ions among the phosphate/silicate groups were studied by heteronuclear dipolar-based 23Na−31P NMR experiments, verifying that sodium is dispersed nearly randomly in the glasses. The phosphorus and proton environments in biomimetically grown HCA were investigated by using 1H and 31P MAS NMR experiments. Our studies revealed that the biomimetic HCA shared many local structural features with synthetic and well-ordered hydroxy-apatite. / <p>At the time of the doctoral defense, the following paper was unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 4: Accepted.</p>

Many pharmaceutical compounds being developed in recent years are poorly soluble in water. This has led to insufficient oral bioavailability of many compounds in vitro. The amorphous formulation is one of the promising techniques to increase the oral bioavailability of these poorly water-soluble compounds. However, an amorphous drug substance is inherently unstable because it is a high energy form. In order to increase the physical stability, the amorphous drug is often formulated with a suitable polymer to form an amorphous solid dispersion. Previous research has suggested that the formation of an intimately mixed drug-polymer mixture contributes to the stabilization of the amorphous drug compound. The goal of this research is to better understand the role of miscibility, molecular interactions and mobility on the physical stability of amorphous solid dispersions. Methods were developed to detect different degrees of miscibility on nanometer scale and to quantify the extent of hydrogen-bonding interactions between the drug and the polymer. Miscibility, hydrogen-bonding interactions and molecular mobility were correlated with physical stability during a six-month period using three model systems. Overall, this research provides molecular-level insights into many factors that govern the physical stability of amorphous solid dispersions which can lead to a more effective design of stable amorphous formulations.

Since its discovery in the 1950's, DNP has been a topic of significant interest in magnetic resonance. DNP is the transfer of polarization between single electrons and nuclei, driven by micro-wave irradiation. Since its renaissance at high field in the 90's, due to the introduction of gyrotrons as high-power, high-frequency microwave sources most application of this technique have been samples of biological interest in frozen solution. The long standing interest of our group in the characterization of surface species such as supported catalysts on silica lead us to apply this technique to the study of surfaces. The goal of this thesis is the development of this method, dubbed DNP Surface Enhanced NMR Spectroscopy. To that end, we first introduce new polarizing agents, soluble in organic solvents. The influence of the electron relaxation times on the DNP enhancements is demonstrated and efficient tailored polarizing agents are introduced. The optimization of the sample preparation to obtain optimal sensitivity is also discussed, as well as the interaction between the radical and the surface. These developments made it possible to apply the technique to many functionalized materials, with some examples developed in this manuscript. Finally, the issue of DNP on polarization conductors is discussed, and we show how microcrystals can be efficiently polarized using DNP.

Bien que la vulcanisation soit un procédé de réticulation très répandu dans l’industrie du caoutchouc, les mécanismes réactionnels mis en jeu, la structure du matériau formé, et en particulier les environnements chimiques du soufre restent mal connus. Sonder sélectivement les environnements chimiques du soufre par Résonance Magnétique Nucléaire (RMN) pourrait alors apporter de précieuses informations sur la structure locale du matériau. Cependant, les propriétés intrinsèques du seul isotope du soufre observable par RMN (33S) rendent l’étude de son environnement chimique très délicate et nécessitent la mise en oeuvre d’une méthodologie adaptée. Les travaux présentés dans ce manuscrit montrent que l’utilisation simultanée de très hauts champs magnétiques et de méthodes d’acquisitions appropriées peut permettre l’étude de l’environnement chimique du soufre dans les solides par RMN. Des calculs premier principe des paramètres RMN ont été menés et leur comparaison à l’expérience montre qu’il est possible de prédire avec fiabilité les paramètres RMN et d’attribuer les signaux observés à une structure chimique. Les positions et les largeurs des signaux RMN de soufre-33 correspondant à des ponts soufrés ont été calculées à partir de modèles structuraux. Pour de tels environnements, les couplages quadripolaires attendus sont particulièrement forts (CQ > 40 MHz), et donnent lieu à des signaux RMN extrêmement larges dont l’observabilité est évaluée via l’étude du soufre élémentaire. Dans le cas d’élastomères vulcanisés, les résultats de cette étude montrent que l’observation de l’ensemble des différents environnements chimiques du soufre nécessite à priori l’utilisation de très hauts champs magnétiques et de très basses températures. / Sulfur vulcanization is a widely used crosslinking process of elastomers in the rubber industry, but the involved chemical mechanisms and the structure of the crosslinked materials are still poorly understood. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, which allows selectively probing the sulfur chemical environments, can provide new information about the local structure of the crosslinked material. However, due to its intrinsic properties, the observation of the NMR active isotope of sulfur (33S) is challenging in solid materials and requires the use of a specific methodology. In this work, we show that the use of very high magnetic fields and convenient NMR methods allows studying the chemical environment of sulfur in solid materials. First principle computations of the NMR parameters have been performed and compared to experimental results. This comparison shows that the computations lead to a reliable prediction of the NMR parameters and can be used to assign the observed NMR signals to a chemical structure. The NMR parameters characteristic of sulfur atoms involved in crosslinks have been computed from structural models. For such sulfur local environments, extremely large quadrupolar coupling constants (CQ > 40 MHz) and thus ultra broad resonances are expected. The NMR detection limit of sulfur environments giving rise to such very broad lines has been investigated through the 33S NMR study of elemental sulfur. In the case of vulcanized rubbers, the results of this work suggest that the NMR observation of the distinct sulfur chemical environments present in the crosslinked networks requires the use of both ultra high magnetic field and very low temperature.

Vidros nas composições 26,66\'B IND.2\'O IND.3\'-16\'GE\'O IND.2\'-4\'BI IND.2\'O IND.3\'-(53,33-x)\'PB\'O\'-x\'PB\'F IND.2\' com x até 30% mol foram sintetizados e caracterizados com respeito as suas propriedades térmicas e espectroscópicas. A substituição de \'PB\'O\' por \'PB\'F IND.2\' desloca a janela de transmissão óptica no ultravioleta para maiores energia. Os espectros Raman e Infravermelho foram interpretados em conjunto, e a partir desta análise identificou-se a ocorrência de uma leve conversão de unidades \'BO IND.3\' a unidades \'BO IND.4\', concomitante com o aumento da concentração de \'PB\'F IND.2\'. Utilizando RMN de alta resolução em sólidos dos núcleos \'ANTPOT. 11 B\' e \'ANTPOT. 19 F\', e diferentes técnicas de dupla ressonância \'ANTPOT. 11 B\'/\'ANTPOT. 19 F\' (REDOR, CPMAS e 2D-CPMAS), foi possível realizar uma análise estrutural quantitativa desses materiais. A fração encontrada de unidades estruturais \'BO IND.4\' é moderadamente maior comparada com vidros que apresentam a mesma razão de \'Pb\'O\'/\'B IND.2\'O IND.3\', quando \'PB\'F IND.2\' é acrescido no sistema, sugerindo a participação de \'PB\'F IND.2\' no processo de transformação da rede. Essa sugestão é confirmada a partir dos espectros de RMN de \'ANTPOT. 19 F\'. A maior parte dos íons fluoretos encontra-se na sua forma iônica, mas aproximadamente 20% atua como modificador de rede, resultando na formação de unidades \'BO IND.3/2\'F POT.-\'. Essas unidades foram identificadas por experimentos REDOR \'ANTPOT.19 F\' . Esses resultados fornecem as primeiras evidências das ligações B-F em sistemas vítreos modificados por \'PB\'F IND.2\'. Além disso, verifica-se que a maioria dos íons fluoretos é encontrada em um ambiente dominado por chumbo. As medidas de segundo momento dipolar homonuclear \'ANTPOT. 19 F\'-\'ANTPOT. 19 F\' a partir de experimentos por espectroscopia de decaimento de eco de spin são quantitativamente consistentes com um modelo no qual esses íons estão aleatoriamente distribuídos no interior de um subdomínio constituído de \'PB\'O\', \'BI IND.2\'O IND.3\' and \'PB\'F IND.2\'. Este modelo, que implica na coordenação dos átomos de flúor às espécies formadoras da rede borato em adição ao surgimento de íons de flúor, com certo grau de agregação, é consistente com todas as observações experimentais. / A series of heavy metal oxide (HMOG) glasses with composition 26,66\'B IND.2\'O IND.3\'-16\'GE\'O IND.2\'-4\'BI IND.2\'O IND.3\'-(53,33-x)\'PB\'O\'-x\'PB\'F IND.2\' with x until 40% mol, has been prepared and characterized with respect to their bulk (glass transition and crystallization temperature, densities, molar volumes) and spectroscopic properties. Homogeneous glasses are formed up to x = 30, while crystallization of \'beta\'- \'PB\'F IND.2\' takes place at higher contents. Substitution of \'PB\'O\' by \'PB\'F IND.2\' shifts the optical band gap towards higher energies, thereby extending the UV transmission window significantly towards higher frequencies. Raman and infrared absorption spectra can be interpreted in conjunction with published reference data. Using \'ANTPOT. 11 B\' and \'ANTPOT. 19 F\' high-resolution solid state NMR as well as \'ANTPOT. 11 B\'/\'ANTPOT. 19 F\' double resonance methodologies, we developed a quantitative structural description of this material. The fraction of four-coordinated boron is found to be moderately higher compared to that in glasses with the same \'PB\'O\'/\'B IND.2\'O IND.3\' ratios, suggesting some participation of \'PB\'F IND.2\' in the network transformation process. This suggestion is confirmed by the \'ANTPOT. 19 F\' NMR spectra. While the majority of the fluoride ions is present as ionic fluoride, approximately 20% of the fluorine inventory acts as a network modifier, resulting in the formation of four-coordinate \'BO IND.3/2\'F POT.-\' units. These units can be identified by \'ANTPOT. 19 F\' rotational echo double resonance and \'ANTPOT. 11 B\' cross-polarization magic angle spinning (CPMAS) data. These results provide the first unambiguous evidence of B-F bonding in a \'PB\'F IND.2\'-modified glass system. The majority of the fluoride ions are found in a lead-dominated environment. \'ANTPOT. 19 F\'-\'ANTPOT. 19 F\' homonuclear dipolar second moments measured by spin echo decay spectroscopy are quantitatively consistent with a model in which these ions are randomly distributed within the network modifier subdomain consisting of \'PB\'O\', \'BI IND.2\'O IND.3\' and \'PB\'F IND.2\'. This model, which implies both the features of atomic scale mixing with the network former borate species and some degree of fluoride ion clustering is consistent with all of the experimental data obtained on these glasses.