INDO Molecular Orbital Calculations on the Conformational Dependence of Long-range Spin–Spin Coupling of Methyl Protons in Toluene, p-Fluorotoluene, and the Xylenes

1972 ◽  
Vol 50 (12) ◽  
pp. 1852-1862 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Wasylishen ◽  
T. Schaefer

The conformational dependence of the nuclear spin–spin coupling from methyl protons to ring protons, to the fluorine nucleus, and to protons of other methyl groups in toluene, p-fluorotoluene, and the xylenes is computed by the finite perturbation technique in the INDO approximation of molecular orbital theory. The calculated coupling over six bonds to the proton in the para position agrees quantitatively with experiment and its predicted dependence on the rotational angle of the methyl group supports a commonly assumed π electron mechanism for the transmission of spin information between the nuclei. Similar remarks apply to the fluorine nucleus in p-fluorotoluene. The couplings over five and four bonds to the protons in the meta and ortho positions display a more complex angular dependence and the former can be interpreted in terms of a dominant σ electron mechanism. The coupling between protons in different methyl groups in the ortho and meta xylenes is calculated as rather larger than the values observed in their derivatives and in the main shows the behavior expected from a π electron mechanism. Those conformations of ortho xylene in which the coupled protons are in close proximity yield computed values plausibly attributable to "direct" and/or "through-space" mechanisms. The preferred conformation of the methyl group in toluene is predicted to have a C—H bond eclipsing the plane of the aromatic ring and the calculated barriers to rotation of 0.013 kcal/mol in toluene and of 0.014 kcal/mol in p-fluorotoluene are in quantitative accord with microwave data.

1986 ◽  
Vol 64 (10) ◽  
pp. 2013-2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ted Schaefer ◽  
Glenn H. Penner

The mechanisms of long-range spin–spin coupling constants involving the methylene protons and the 13C nucleus of the cyano group are discussed for benzyl cyanide. Analysis of the 1H nmr spectrum of benzyl cyanide-8-13C in benzene-d6 solution yields nJ(H,CH2) and nJ(H,13CN) for n = 4–6. Similar data are reported for the 2,6-dichloro and 2,6-difluoro derivatives, together with some sign determinations. nJ(13C,13CN), n = 1–5, are given for the three compounds. It is shown that all these parameters are consistent with a small barrier to internal rotation about the [Formula: see text] bond in benzyl cyanide in solution. Computations at various levels of molecular orbital theory agree that this barrier is small. The nJ(13C, 13CN) imply a stabilization in polar solvents of the conformation in which the cyano group of benzyl cyanide lies in a plane perpendicular to the benzene plane. The molecular orbital calculations indicate a predominantly twofold nature of the internal barrier, although a significant fourfold component is also present. The coupling constants cannot discern the presence of the fourfold component for benzyl cyanide nor for its 2,6-difluoro derivative. 1J(13C,13CN) is solvent dependent. A table of the computed sidechain geometries is appended.


1977 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
pp. 552-556 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ted Schaefer ◽  
William J. E. Parr

On the basis of the observed spin–spin coupling constants between the sulfhydryl and ring protons and a hindered rotor treatment of the twofold barrier to internal rotation in a series of para substituted benzenethiol derivatives, it is argued that V2 is essentially zero in p-amino-benzenethiol and is 2.5 ± 0.2 kcal/mol in p-nitrobenzenethiol; having intermediate values for the methoxy, fluoro, methyl, and bromo derivatives in solution. The results are based on an assumed relationship between the four-bond and the fictitious six-bond couplings to the sulfhydryl proton. The conclusions are consistent with the observed magnitudes of the couplings over six and seven bonds, respectively, between the sulfhydryl proton and the fluorine nucleus and the methyl protons in the appropriate derivatives; as well as with the coupling between the sulfhydryl and methyl protons in 4-bromo-3-methylbenzenethiol. The experimental barriers are compared with ab initio molecular orbital calculations of their substituent dependence.


1972 ◽  
Vol 50 (16) ◽  
pp. 2575-2585 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Wasylishen ◽  
J. B. Rowbotham ◽  
L. Ernst ◽  
T. Schaefer

A complete analysis (8-spins) is given of the p.m.r. spectrum of aniline-15N, of the spectra of some haloanilines-15N and of 2-aminoacetophenone-15N. Intermolecular exchange of the amino protons is slow enough for observation of their spin–spin coupling to the ring protons. The magnitudes of the coupling constants between amino protons and 15N or ring protons are a measure of the geometry of the amino group. This is not true of the couplings between 15N and the ring protons. Long-range couplings computed in the CNDO/2 and INDO approximations of molecular orbital theory show points of agreement with experiment. For example, their signs and magnitudes are consistent with a nonplanar but not with a planar conformation of aniline. Couplings from 15N to ring protons are also computed for nitrobenzene.


1976 ◽  
Vol 54 (20) ◽  
pp. 3216-3223 ◽  
Author(s):  
William J. E. Parr ◽  
Roderick E. Wasylishen ◽  
Ted Schaefer

The stereospecific spin–spin coupling constants over five bonds between the α-proton in the side chain and the protons in the heterocycle in 2-vinylfuran, in its β-nitro and β-aldehydic derivatives, and in 2-vinylthiophene are used to demonstrate the preponderance of the s-trans conformers in polar and nonpolar solutions. These conclusions are compared with predictions made by molecular orbital theory at the STO-3G, INDO, CNDO/2, and MINDO/3 levels. Long-range coupling constants between the protons in the side chain and protons in the heterocycle are calculated by CNDO/2 and INDO–MO–FPT and are compared with experiment. It is concluded that the five-bond couplings involving the α-proton are most sensitive to conformation and that they are transmitted mainly via a σ electron mechanism. The other long-range coupling constants are discussed in terms of σ and π electron mechanisms. The STO-3G calculations yield barriers to internal rotation of greater than 4.8 kcal/mol.


1973 ◽  
Vol 51 (6) ◽  
pp. 961-973 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Wasylishen ◽  
T. Schaefer

Molecular orbital calculations, at the INDO level, of the spin–spin coupling constants over three bonds between carbon-13 and protons are reported for a number of simple molecules. In propane the coupling depends on dihedral angle in the Karplus manner. Fluorine substituents cause changes in the computed coupling which are best described as alternating with the number of bonds intervening between the substituent and the coupled nuclei. Finer details of this phenomenon are discussed and calculations on propyllithium are performed. Replacement of a central carbon atom in propane by a heteroatom does not radically alter the computed couplings. The presence of a carbonyl group in the coupling path results in an overestimate of the magnitude of the coupling. In propene the coupling between 13C in position 1 and a methyl proton displays a maximum when the C—H bond of the methyl group lies parallel to the π orbitals. In toluene the coupling to a methyl proton is insensitive to the dihedral angle over half its range, a result of importance to structural studies. Among other molecules under consideration are methylacetylene, propionaldehyde, and the strained bicyclobutane. It is suggested that in certain instances the mean of the predictions from the INDO and CNDO/2 procedures may agree better with experiment than will the prediction from either procedure alone. Calculations on fluorobenzene and 1,2-difluorobenzene suggest that the main experimental trends of the couplings between carbon and protons within the benzene ring are reproduced. Such is perhaps not true for the five-membered heterocycles.


1972 ◽  
Vol 50 (12) ◽  
pp. 1863-1867 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Ernst ◽  
H. M. Hutton ◽  
T. Schaefer

The high resolution p.m.r. spectra of 1-penten-3-yne in carbon disulfide and in benzene solution are analyzed. Long-range spin–spin coupling constants are discussed in terms of σ and π electron contributions. Comparisons are made with the isomeric 2-methyl-1-buten-3-yne and the parent compound, vinylacetylene. The results of INDO and CNDO/2 molecular orbital calculations are compared to the experimental coupling constants. It is concluded that the π electron contribution to 5J in enyne systems is +0.6 to 0.7 Hz and that σ electron contributions are rather small, the transoid ("pseudo-zig–zag") being larger than the cisoid one. Observed allylic coupling constants in the propene derivative are compared with the calculated values, including those for propene and 2-cyanopropene, available in the literature.


1971 ◽  
Vol 49 (19) ◽  
pp. 3216-3228 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Wasylishen ◽  
T. Schaefer

Precise analyses of the proton and some fluorine magnetic resonance spectra in acetone solution are reported for the three monofluorobenzaldehydes as well as for 2-chloro-6-fluorobenzaldehyde and for 4-fluoro-2-nitrobenzaldehyde. The conformational dependence of the coupling parameters allows the measurement of energy differences between the O-cis and O-trans conformations. The energy differences are in better agreement with the INDO predictions than they are with energies derived from i.r. data. Di-pole moments are computed reliably and their measurement is suggested as a good guide to conformational preferences for molecules of this kind. The spin–spin coupling constants between the aldehyde proton and the ring protons and fluorine nuclei are computed for benzaldehyde and the three monofluorobenzaldehydes by the INDO and CNDO molecular orbital approximations. In many instances the agreement between calculated and observed couplings is quantitative.


1981 ◽  
Vol 59 (21) ◽  
pp. 3021-3025 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ted Schaefer ◽  
Rudy Sebastian ◽  
Timothy A. Wildman

The stereospecific spin–spin coupling constants between the hydroxyl proton and the ring protons for 2-iodophenol in various solvents yield some free energy differences between the cis and trans conformations of this molecule at 305 K. Comparison with areas of the hydroxyl stretching bands in the same or similar solvents shows that the ratio of the absorptivity coefficients for the two conformers is sensitive to solvent. It is suggested that this ratio is temperature dependent and therefore apparent enthalpy differences must be considered tentative for at least some solutions. Molecular orbital calculations are consistent with the arguments concerning the absorptivity coefficients.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document