Carbon tetrachloride as solvent in proton magnetic resonance. Importance of size and charge effects of proximate substituents
A model (not a theory), based on steric and charge removal characteristics of the substituents, is used to rationalize the low-field shifts caused by carbon tetrachloride (compared to cyclohexane) in the proton resonance spectra of 22 polyhalosubstituted benzenes. The low-field shifts are as large as 0.16 p.p.m. and these are found for protons situated between two ortho fluorine substituents. Larger halogens present a steric hindrance to the approach of the polarizable C—Cl bonds of the solvent and lead to smaller shifts. The charge removed from the region of the C—H bonds by the substituents is estimated by means of a function of the bond dipole divided by the bond length. A shape effect, arising when two hydrogens are ortho to each other, also appears to be present if there are bulky distant groups.