The Challenge of Paramagnetism in Two-Dimensional 6,7Li Exchange NMR

6,7Li fast magic-angle spinning solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is used to study LiMn2O4 and Li3V2(PO4)3. The presence of paramagnetic transition metal centers in these materials has a profound effect on the resulting NMR spectra. Lithium ion mobility has been studied by two-dimensional (2-D) exchange spectroscopy (EXSY) in Li3V2(PO4)3 but an absence of lithium ion exchange was observed for LiMn2O4. Several differences between the two materials are explored to explain these results. LiMn2O4 experiences a greater donation of electron spin density to the Li nucleus via the Fermi-contact interaction when compared with Li3V2(PO4)3. This contributes to a greater hyperfine chemical shift and a larger dependence of chemical shift on temperature. The delocalized electrons in LiMn2O4 cause temperature-independent T1 relaxation rates and shorter relative T2 values. The relative rates of ionic conductivity and spin–lattice or spin–spin relaxation in LiMn2O4 and Li3V2(PO4)3 are contrasted to illustrate the constraints on the use of 2-D EXSY to characterize ion dynamics in paramagnetic materials.