Transmission mechanisms of NMR long-range J(13C,19F) scalar couplings in 1-F,4-X-cubanes: a DFT and experimental study

Abstract

In order to get insight into transmission mechanisms of the title spin–spin coupling constants, nJ(C, F1) couplings (n = 4, 5) were calculated at the DFT-B3LYP-6-311-G**/EPR-III level, and couplings were measured in 9 members of the series 1-F,4-X-cubanes, where the α atom of the X group is a carbon atom. Hyperconjugative interactions were evaluated within the NBO approach, using the same level of theory as that employed for calculating spin–spin coupling constants. The unusual 4J(C4,F1) spin–spin coupling constants known in 1-F,4-X-cubanes are rationalized in this work as originating mainly due to two factors, namely, (i) the strong σ-hyperconjugative interactions involving as donors the cage C–C bonds; (ii) the particular arrangement of cage bonds not involving either the C1 or the C4 carbon atoms, C i and C j . For linear X substituents, the direction F1–C1··· C4–X is a three-fold symmetry axis and there are six C i –C j equivalent cage bonds, which are involved in (C i –C j )→(C1–F1)* and (C i –C j )→(C4–X)* hyperconjugative interactions. This means that coupling pathways involving such interactions are amplified six times, rendering the substrate very efficient for transmitting ‘trans-cage’ coupling constants. The large halogen substituent effects observed for 4J(C4,F1) spin–spin coupling constants in 1-F,4-X-cubanes (X = halogen atom) are rationalized in terms of interactions between σ-hyperconjugative (involving C–C bonds) and negative hyperconjugative interactions involving the halogen lone-pairs.