The 2D heteronuclear correlation experiment employing DEPT-based polarization transfer allows to obtain a 2D 1H-13C correlation map as a similar way described in the conventional 2D HETCOR experiment. In addition, spectral editing on the basis of proton multiplicity can be obtained as known for 1D DEPT experiment.

Easy implementation on any AVANCE spectrometer.

A basic DEPT-based HETCOR pulse sequence can be eaily obtained from the classical 1D DEPT pulse sequence by including the cluster t1/2-180(13C)-t1/2 in the multiple-quantum evolution period ( 83JMR144-53 ) or inmediately after the first 90 proton pulse ( 83CPL540 ). Some modified alternatives have been also described ( 83JMR114-55 ). In addition, broadband proton decoupling can be achieved in the  F1 dimension replacing the 180º carbon pulse placed in the middle of the variable period by a BIRD cluster ( 84JACS7046 , 85JMR524-63 , and 84JCS1518 ).

Other 2D HETCOR experiments based on the evolution of multiple-quantum coherences have been reported ( 90MRC759 , 90JMR384-86 , and 91MRC619 ).

The 2D DEPT-based HETCOR experiment can be recorded in routine/automation modes. The number of experimental parameters to optimize is minimum. Among pulse widths, transmitter frequencies, levels of  digitization and sweep widths in both F1 and F2 dimensions, the DEPT-based HETCOR experiment is optimized as the conventional 1D DEPT experiment and, therefore, the spectral editing feature typical of 1D DEPT experiment can be preserved in these phase-sensitive 2D experiments: 45º degree for all multiplicities positive; 90º degree for XH only; and 135º degree for XH2 negative, XH and XH3 positive.

More details on practical implementation of 2D HETCOR experiments on AVANCE spectrometers can be found in

Tutorials: 2D X-detected experiments

The 2D DEPT-based HETCOR spectra show a typical single cross-peak at the intersection of the chemical shift frequencies of directly-bonded proton-carbon pairs. 2D subspectra according to proton multiplicity can also be obtained as described before.

Presently, improved sensitivity ratios are obtained from heteronuclear correlation experiments based on proton detection as, for instance, the HMQC and the HSQC experiments.

Related experiments:

2D X-detected experiments