Basis set dependence of NMR spin–spin couplings in density functional theory calculations: first row and hydrogen atoms

Conformation Analysis and Stereodynamics of Symmetrically ortho-Disubstituted Carvacrol Derivatives

The design and synthesis of analogs of natural products can be a valuable source of medicinal preparations for the pharmaceutical industry. In the present study, the structural elucidation of eleven derivatives of 2,4-dihalogeno substituted synthetic analogues of the natural compound carvacrol was carried out by means of NMR experiments, and of another thirteen by DFT calculations. By selective NOE experiments and the irradiation of CH signals of the isopropyl group, individual conformers were assigned as syn and anti. By comparing GIAO/B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p)-calculated and experimentally measured vicinal 3JCH spin-spin constants, this assignment was confirmed. An unusual relationship is reported for proton-carbon vicinal couplings: 3JCH (180°) < 3JCH (0°). The conformational mobility of carvacrols was studied by 2D EXSY spectra. The application of homonuclear decoupling technique (HOBS) to these spectra simplifies the spectra, improves resolution without reducing the sensitivity, and allows a systematic examination of the rotational barrier of all compounds via their CH signals of the isopropyl group in a wider temperature interval. The rate constants of the isopropyl rotation between syn and anti conformers were determined and the corresponding energy barriers (14-17 kcal/mol) were calculated. DFT calculations of the energy barriers in carvacrol derivatives allowed the determination of the steric origin of the restricted isopropyl rotation. The barrier height depends on the size of the 2- and 4-position substituents, and is independent of the derivatization of the OH group.

Crystal, Solution, and Computational Study of the Structure of Ortho-Lithium N,N-Diisopropyl-P,P-Diphenylphosphinothioic Amide

The first crystal structure of an ortho-lithium phosphinothioic amide complexed with tetramethylethylenediamine 12 is reported. The complex consists of a spirane in which the spiro-lithium is N,N- and C,S-chelated by the diamine and organophosphorus ligands, respectively. The analogous ortho anion 14 obtained by Sn(IV)/Li transmetallation in THF has also been synthesized. Nuclear magnetic resonance study of both anions showed that they exist as monomers in solution and are involved in dynamic processes including the restricted rotation around the P-N bond. 14 is converted at room temperature by nucleophilic cyclization to the dearomatized anion 15, which evolves after a few hours to the benzophosphindole sulfide 16. Density functional theory calculations supported the aggregation state in solution and were used to explore the conformational space of anion 12, the mechanism of ortho-lithiation directed by P(X)-N (X=O, S) groups, and the mechanism of formation of 15.

1-Methyl-8-phenyl-1,3-diazaspiro[4.5]decane-2,4-dione

A simple, fast and cost-effective three-step synthesis of 1-methyl-8-phenyl-1,3-diazaspiro[4.5]decane-2,4-dione has been developed. The reactions described herein proceed readily, with high yields and no further purification. Therefore, the proposed method, with an overall yield of 60%, offers a facile pathway to the synthesis of N-1 monosubstituted spiro carbocyclic imidazolidine-2,4-diones (hydantoins), which constitute a privileged class of heterocyclic scaffolds with pharmacological interest.

Predicting the structure and NMR coupling constant 1J(129Xe-19F) of XeF6 using quantum mechanics methods

The XeF₆ molecule exists as a monomer in the gas phase and as the (XeF₆)₄ tetramer in solution. Herein we used distinct quantum mechanics methods to study the conformational equilibrium for the XeF₆ monomer, which is represented mainly by O_h and C_3v symmetric geometries, and for the (XeF₆)₄ structure found in condensate phases. The NMR ¹J(¹²⁹Xe-¹⁹F) coupling constant is predicted using our own NMR-DKH basis set, designed for NMR properties. The C_3v conformer of XeF₆ was stable only with HF, CCSD, and hybrid DFT functionals with at least 28% exact HF exchange. Increasing the % of HF exchange improves the description of the geometry and the O_h→C_3v equilibrium. The BMK, BHandHLYP and LC-ωPBE functionals produce results in excellent agreement with experiments and high-level calculations for the XeF₆ molecule. When it comes to the ¹J(¹²⁹Xe-¹⁹F) coupling constant, the (XeF₆)₄ structure must be considered. For that compound, BHandHLYP leads to the best structure, and BMK leads to the best coupling constant; therefore, the generalized protocol BMK/NMR-DKH//BHandHLYP/def2-SVP is recommended to study the XeF₆ molecule in the gas phase and solution.

Estimating the accuracy of calculated electron paramagnetic resonance hyperfine couplings for a lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase

Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) are enzymes that bind polysaccharides followed by an (oxidative) disruption of the polysaccharide surface, thereby boosting depolymerization. The binding process between the LPMO catalytic domain and polysaccharide is key to the mechanism and establishing structure-function relationships for this binding is therefore crucial. The hyperfine coupling constants (HFCs) from EPR spectroscopy have proven useful for this purpose. Unfortunately, EPR does not provide direct structural data and therefore the experimental EPR parameters have to be supported with parameters calculated with density functional theory. Yet, calculated HFCs are extremely sensitive to the employed computational setup. Using the LPMO Ls(AA9)A catalytic domain, we here quantify the importance of several choices in the computational setup, ranging from the use of specialized basis, the underlying structures, and the employed exchange-correlation functional. We show that specialized basis sets are an absolute necessity, and also that care has to be taken in the optimization of the underlying structure: only by allowing large parts of the protein around the active site to structurally relax could we obtain results that uniformly reproduced experimental trends. We compare our results to previously published X-ray structures and experimental HFCs for Ls(AA9)A as well as to recent experimental/theoretical results for another (AA10) family of LPMOs.

Thiourea-Derived Chelating Ligands and Their Organometallic Compounds: Investigations into Their Anticancer Activity

Thiones have been investigated as ligands in metal complexes with catalytic and biological activity. We report the synthesis, characterization, and biological evaluation of a series of M^II/III complexes of the general formulae [M^II(cym)(L)Cl]X (cym = η⁶-p-cymene) or [M^III(Cp*)(L)Cl]X (Cp* = η⁵-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl), where X = Cl^- or PF₆^-, and L represents heterocyclic derivatives of thiourea. The thiones feature a benzyl-triazolyl pendant and they act as bidentate ligands via N,S-coordination to the metal centers. Several derivatives have been investigated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. NMR investigations showed a counterion-dependent shift of several protons due to the interaction with the counterions. These NMR investigations were complemented with X-ray diffraction analysis data and the effects of different counterions on the secondary coordination sphere were also investigated by DFT calculations. In biological studies, the Ir benzimidazole derivative was found to accumulate in the cytoplasm and it was the most cytotoxic derivative investigated.

One-bond 1 J(15 N,H) coupling constants at sp2 -hybridized nitrogen of Schiff bases, enaminones and similar compounds: A theoretical study

¹ J(¹⁵ N,H) coupling constants for enaminones and NH-forms of intramolecularly hydrogen-bonded Schiff bases as model compounds for sp² -hybridized nitrogen atoms are evaluated using density functional theory (DFT) to find the optimal functionals and basis sets. Ammonia is used as a test molecule and its one-bond coupling constant is compared with experiment. A methylamine Schiff base of a truncated molecule of gossypol is used for checking the performance of selected B3LYP, O3LYP, PBE, BHandH, and APFD density functionals and standard, modified, and dedicated basis sets for coupling constants. Both in vacuum and in chloroform, modeled by the simple continuum model of solvent, the modified basis sets predict significantly better the ¹ J(¹⁵ N,H) value in ammonia and in the methylamine Schiff base of a truncated molecule of gossypol than the standard basis sets. This procure is then used on a broad set of intramolecularly hydrogen-bonded molecules, and a good correlation between calculated and experimental one-bond NH coupling constants is obtained. The ¹ J(¹⁵ N,H) couplings are slightly overestimated. The calculated data show for hydrogen-bonded NH interatomic distances that the calculated values depend on the NH bond lengths. The shorter the bond lengths, the larger the ¹ J(¹⁵ N,H). A useful correlation between ¹ J(¹⁵ N,H) and NH bond length is derived that enables realistic predictions of one-bond NH coupling constants. The calculations reproduce experimentally observed trends for the studied molecules.

Theoretical calculations of carbon-hydrogen spin-spin coupling constants

Structural applications of theoretical calculations of carbon-hydrogen spin-spin coupling constants are reviewed covering papers published mainly during the last 10-15 years with a special emphasis on the most notable studies of hybridization, substitution and stereoelectronic effects together with the investigation of hydrogen bonding and intermolecular interactions. The wide scope of different applications of calculated carbon-hydrogen couplings in the structural elucidation of particular classes of organic and bioorganic molecules is reviewed, concentrating mainly on saturated, unsaturated, aromatic and heteroaromatic compounds and their functional derivatives, as well as on natural compounds and carbohydrates. The review is dedicated to Professor Emeritus Michael Barfield in view of his invaluable pioneering contribution to this field.

Development of polarization consistent basis sets for spin-spin coupling constant calculations for the atoms Li, Be, Na, and Mg

The pcJ-n basis set, optimized for spin-spin coupling constant calculations using density functional theory methods, are expanded to also include the s-block elements Li, Be, Na, and Mg, by studying several small molecules containing these elements. This is done by decontracting the underlying pc-n basis sets, followed by augmentation with additional tight functions. As was the case for the p-block elements, the convergence of the results can be significantly improved by augmentation with tight s-functions. For the p-block elements, additional tight functions of higher angular momentum were also needed, but this is not the case for the s-block elements. A search for the optimum contraction scheme is carried out using the criterion that the contraction error should be lower than the inherent error of the uncontracted pcJ-n relative to the uncontracted pcJ-4 basis set. A large search over possible contraction schemes is done for the Li₂ and Na₂ molecules, and based on this search contracted pcJ-n basis sets for the four atoms are recommended. This work shows that it is more difficult to contract the pcJ-n basis sets, than the underlying pc-n basis sets. However, it also shows that the pcJ-n basis sets for Li and Be can be more strongly contracted than the pcJ-n basis sets for the p-block elements. For Na and Mg, the contractions are to the same degree as for the p-block elements.

Evaluating the accuracy of theoretical one-bond 13 C─13 C scalar couplings and their ability to predict structure in a natural product

This study explores the feasibility of using a combination of experimental and theoretical 1-bond ¹³ C─¹³ C scalar couplings (¹ J_CC ) to establish structure in organic compounds, including unknowns. Historically, ⁿ J_CC and ⁿ J_CH studies have emphasized 2 and 3-bond couplings, yet ¹ J_CC couplings exhibit significantly larger variations. Moreover, recent improvements in experimental measurement and data processing methods have made ¹ J_CC data more available. Herein, an approach is evaluated in which a collection of theoretical structures is created from a partial nuclear magnetic resonance structural characterization. Computed ¹ J_CC values are compared to experimental data to identify candidates giving the best agreement. This process requires knowledge of the error in theoretical methods, thus the B3LYP, B3PW91, and PBE0 functionals are evaluated by comparing to 27 experimental values from INADEQUATE. Respective errors of ±1.2, ±3.8, and ±2.3 Hz are observed. An initial test of this methodology involves the natural product 5-methylmellein. In this case, only a single candidate matches experimental data with high statistical confidence. This analysis establishes the intramolecular hydrogen-bonding arrangement, ring heteroatom identity, and conformation at one position. This approach is then extended to hydroheptelidic acid, a natural product not fully characterized in prior studies. The experimental/theoretical approach proposed herein identifies a single best-fit structure from among 26 candidates and establishes, for the first time, 1 configuration and 3 conformations to complete the characterization. These results suggest that accurate and complete structural characterizations of many moderately sized organic structures (<800 Da) may be possible using only ¹ J_CC data.

Limiting Values of the one-bond C-H Spin-Spin Coupling Constants of the Imidazole Ring of Histidine at High-pH

Assessment of the relative amounts of the forms of the imidazole ring of Histidine (His), namely the protonated (H+) and the tautomeric Nε2-H and Nδ1-H forms, respectively, is a challenging task in NMR spectroscopy. Indeed, their determination by direct observation of the 15N and 13C chemical shifts or the one-bond C-H, 1JCH, Spin-Spin Coupling Constants (SSCC) requires knowledge of the "canonical" limiting values of these forms in which each one is present to the extent of 100%. In particular, at high-pH, an accurate determination of these "canonical" limiting values, at which the tautomeric forms of His coexist, is an elusive problem in NMR spectroscopy. Among different NMR-based approaches to treat this problem, we focus here on the computation, at the DFT level of theory, of the high-pH limiting value for the 1JCH SSCC of the imidazole ring of His. Solvent effects were considered by using the polarizable continuum model approach. The results of this computation suggest, first, that the value of 1JCε1H = 205 ± 1.0 Hz should be adopted as the canonical high-pH limiting value for this SSCC; second, the variation of 1JCε1H SSCC during tautomeric changes is minor, i.e., within ±1Hz; and, finally, the value of 1JCδ2H SSCC upon tautomeric changes is large (15 Hz) indicating that, at high-pH or for non-protonated His at any pH, the tautomeric fractions of the imidazole ring of His can be predicted accurately as a function of the observed value of 1JCδ2H SSCC.

Large, weakly basic bis(carboranyl)phosphines: an experimental and computational study

Bis(carboranyl)phosphines and their {AuCl} and {Se} derivatives have been the subject of experimental and computational studies.

Theoretical Study of the Catalytic Hydrogenation of Alkenes by a Disilaferracyclic Complex: Can the Fe-Si σ-Bond-Assisted Activation of H-H Bonds Allow Development of a Catalysis of Iron?

The mechanisms associated with the hydrogenation of alkenes catalyzed by the iron complex Fe(cis-CO)₂{o-(SiMe₂)₂C₆H₄}₂(H)₂ (1) were investigated by DFT calculations. The complex 1 has a structure in which the iron center is bonded to four silicon atoms and two hydrides. Secondary Si···H···Si interactions were also observed. The exchange of a 1,2-bis(dimethylsilyl)benzene ligand with ethylene and hydrogen gives a disilaferracycle bearing η²-(CH₂═CH₂) and η²-H₂ ligands. The catalytic cycle initiated from the disilaferracycle involves cleavage of a H-H linkage assisted by an Fe-Si bond to form Fe-H and η¹-(H-Si) moieties (step 1), hydrogen migration from the Fe-H group to the η²-(CH₂═CH₂) ligand which accomplishes the insertion of ethylene into the Fe-H bond (step 2), and reaction of the resulting β-agostic ethyl moiety with the η²-(H-Si) group to form ethane on the iron atom (step 3). The octahedral geometry of 1 as well as the presence of π-acidic CO ligands and Fe-Si σ-bonds contributes to all of the catalytic intermediates and the transition states being in the low-spin state. Steps 1 and 3 correspond to the σ-complex-assisted metathesis (σ-CAM) mechanisms proposed by Perutz and Sabo-Etienne, suggesting that these mechanisms can assist in the design of iron-based hydrogenation catalysts operating under mild conditions.

Conformational analysis of short polar side-chain amino-acids through umbrella sampling and DFT calculations

Molecular and quantum mechanics calculations were carried out in a series of tripeptides (GXG, where X = D, N and C) as models of the unfolded states of proteins. The selected central amino acids, especially aspartic acid (D) and asparagine (N) are known to present significant average conformations in partially allowed areas of the Ramachandran plot, which have been suggested to be important in unfolded protein regions. In this report, we present the calculation of the propensity values through an umbrella sampling procedure in combination with the calculation of the NMR J-coupling constants obtained by a DFT model. The experimental NMR observations can be reasonably explained in terms of a conformational distribution where PP_II and β basins sum up propensities above 0.9. The conformational analysis of the side chain dihedral angle (χ₁), along with the computation of ³J(H^αH^β), revealed a preference for the g _- and g ₊ rotamers. These may be connected with the presence of intermolecular H-bonding and carbonyl-carbonyl interactions sampled in the PP_II and β basins. Taking into account all those results, it can be established that these residues show a similar behavior to other amino acids in short peptides regarding backbone φ,ψ dihedral angle distribution, in agreement with some experimental analysis of capped dipeptides.

First principles optimally tuned range-separated density functional theory for prediction of phosphorus–hydrogen spin–spin coupling constants

The novel optimally tuned range-separated approximations for predicting NMR spin–spin coupling constants are proposed and benchmarked numerically.

Lone-Pair Orientation Effect of an α-Oxygen Atom on (1)JCC NMR Spin-Spin Coupling Constants in o-Substituted Phenols. Experimental and DFT Study

The well-known N lone-pair orientation effect on (1)JCC spin-spin coupling constants (SSCCs) in oximes and their derivatives was used to study how negative hyperconjugative interactions of type LP1(O) → σ*CC depend on ortho interactions involving the OH group. This study demanded the following analyses:  (i) a qualitative estimation of how (1)JCC SSCCs are affected by hyperconjugative interactions, (ii) a study of similar stereochemical effects to those in oximes, but in (1)JC1C2 and (1)JC1C6in a series of 2-substituted phenols, and (iii) a quantitative estimation, with the natural bond order approach, of some key electron delocalization interactions. A few unexpected results are quoted. LP1(O) → σ*CC interactions are affected by proximity interactions as follows:  (a) they are enhanced by hydrogen bonds transferring charge into the (O-H)* antibonding orbital; (b) they are enhanced by proximity interactions of type LP1(O)···H-C; (c) they are inhibited by interactions of type LP(O1)···H-O. Consequences of these observations are discussed.

Calculation of Nuclear Spin-Spin Coupling Constants of Molecules with First and Second Row Atoms in Study of Basis Set Dependence

This paper proposes a systematic way to modify standard basis sets for use in NMR spin-spin coupling calculations, which allows the high sensitivity of this property to the basis set to be handled in a manner which remains computationally feasible. The new basis set series is derived by uncontracting a standard basis set, such as correlation-consistent aug-cc-pVTZ, and extending it by systematically adding tight s and d functions. For elements in different rows of the periodic table, different progressions of functions are added. The new basis sets are shown to approach the basis set limit for calculations on a range of molecules containing hydrogen and first and second row atoms.

Influence of Density Functionals and Basis Sets on One-Bond Carbon-Carbon NMR Spin-Spin Coupling Constants

The basis set and the functional dependence of one-bond carbon-carbon NMR spin-spin coupling constants (SSCC) have been analyzed using density functional theory. Four basis sets (6-311G**, TZVP, EPR-III, and aug-cc-pVTZ-J) and four functionals (PBE, PW91, B3LYP, and B3P86) are tested by comparison with 70 experimental values corresponding to 49 molecules that represent multiple types of hybridization of the carbon atoms. The two hybrid functionals B3P86 and B3LYP combined either EPR-III or aug-cc-pVTZ-J basis sets lead to the best accuracy of calculated SSCC. However, a simple linear regression allows for the obtaining of scaled coupling constants that fit much better with the experimental data and where the differences between the different basis sets and/or functional results are significantly reduced. For large molecules the TZVP basis set can be an appropriate election presenting a good compromise between quality of results and computational cost.

2,5-Bridged 1-Carba-arachno-pentaborane(10) Derivatives – Intermediates on the Way to Pentaalkyl-1,5-dicarba-closo-pentaboranes(5)

Stimulated by a report from (R. Köster, G. Benedikt, M. A. Grassberger, Liebigs Ann. Chem. 1968, 719, 187.) on a carbaborane, for which the structure of 2,3,4,5,-tetraethlyl-1-methyl-2,5-μ-(ethyl-1′,1′-diyl)-1-carba-arachno-pentaborane(10) 1 was proposed, an independent synthesis was developed. Diethyl(ethynyl)borane was generated in situ in the presence of a large excess of “Et2B–H” (hydride bath) by ethynyl/H exchange, using ethynyl(trioctyl)tin to react in a mixture with diethyl(vinyl)borane at low temperature. Hydroboration and Et2B–H-catalysed condensation afforded 1, as shown by 11B, 13C NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations. Thermal degradation of 1 gave 2,3,4-triethyl-1,5-dimethyl-1,5-dicarba-closo-pentaborane(5), whereas the pentaethyl-1,5-dicarba-closo-pentaborane(5) resulted from thermally induced decomposition of other suitably substituted arachno carbaboranes.

Accurate Electron Densities at Nuclei Using Small Ramp-Gaussian Basis Sets

Electron densities at nuclei are difficult to calculate accurately with all-Gaussian basis sets because they lack an electron-nuclear cusp. The newly developed mixed ramp-Gaussian basis sets, such as R-31G, possess electron-nuclear cusps due to the presence of ramp functions in the basis. The R-31G basis set is a general-purpose mixed ramp-Gaussian basis set modeled on the 6-31G basis set. The prediction of electron densities at nuclei using R-31G basis sets for Li-F outperforms Dunning, Pople, and Jensen general purpose all-Gaussian basis sets of triple-ζ quality or lower and the cc-pVQZ basis set. It is of similar quality to the specialized pcJ-0 basis set which was developed with partial decontraction of core functions and extra high exponent s-Gaussians to predict electron density at the nucleus. These results show significant advantages in the properties of mixed ramp-Gaussian basis sets compared to all-Gaussian basis sets.

Opsin Effect on the Electronic Structure of the Retinylidene Chromophore in Rhodopsin

Direct examination of experimental NMR parameters combined with electronic structure analysis was used to provide a first-principle interpretation of NMR experiments and give a precise evaluation of how the electronic perturbation of the protein environment affects the electronic properties of the retinylidene chromophere in rhodopsin. To this end, we pursued a theoretical analysis using a combination of tools including quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) at the Density Functional Theory (DFT) level, in conjunction with gauge independent atomic orbital (GIAO) calculations of (13)C NMR chemical shieldings and (1)J(CC) spin-spin coupling constants obtained with the Coupled Perturbed DFT (CPDFT) method. The opsin effect on the retinylidene chromophere is interpreted as an inductive effect of Glu-113 which readjusts the weighting factors of resonance substructures of the conjugated chain of the chromophere. These changes give a rationalization to the alternating effect of the (13)C chemical shifts magnitudes when comparing the retinylidene chromophere in the presence and absence of the protein environment. Conversely, perturbation of π orbitals has little to no effect over (1)J (13)C-(13)C spin-spin coupling constants, as they are mainly dominated by the Fermi contact term, and hence the counteraion effect is restricted to the vicinity of the perturbation. Thus, the apparent contradiction between experimental findings based on chemical shifts (deep penetration) and one-bond J-couplings (localized effects of the protonated Schiff base at the chain terminus) is in fact a consequence of different properties responding differently to the same external perturbation.

In search of the appropriate theoretically justified mixing coefficient in parameter-free hybrid functionals for computing the NMR parameters

The parameter-free hybrid density functionals, with theoretically justified mixing coefficients, are recommended to predict the NMR parameters.

Computational NMR coupling constants: shifting and scaling factors for evaluating 1JCH

Optimized shifting and/or scaling factors for calculating one-bond carbon-hydrogen spin-spin coupling constants have been determined for 35 combinations of representative functionals (PBE, B3LYP, B3P86, B97-2 and M06-L) and basis sets (TZVP, HIII-su3, EPR-III, aug-cc-pVTZ-J, ccJ-pVDZ, ccJ-pVTZ, ccJ-pVQZ, pcJ-2 and pcJ-3) using 68 organic molecular systems with 88 (1)JCH couplings including different types of hybridized carbon atoms. Density functional theory assessment for the determination of (1)JCH coupling constants is examined, comparing the computed and experimental values. The use of shifting constants for obtaining the calculated coupling improves substantially the results, and most models become qualitatively similar. Thus, for the whole set of couplings and for all approaches excluding those using the M06 functional, the root-mean-square deviations lie between 4.7 and 16.4 Hz and are reduced to 4-6.5 Hz when shifting constants are considered. Alternatively, when a specific rovibrational contribution of 5 Hz is subtracted from the experimental values, good results are obtained with PBE, B3P86 and B97-2 functionals in combination with HIII-su3, aug-cc-pVTZ-J and pcJ-2 basis sets.

3He NMR: from free gas to its encapsulation in fullerene

The (3)He nuclear magnetic shieldings were calculated for single helium atom, its dimer, simple models of fullerene cages (He@Cn), and single wall carbon nanotubes. The performances of several levels of theory (HF, MP2, DFT-VSXC, CCSD, CCSD(T), and CCSDT) were tested. Two sets of polarization-consistent basis sets were used (pcS-n and aug-pcS-n), and an estimate of (3)He nuclear magnetic shieldings in the complete basis set limit using a two-parameter fit was established. Theoretical (3)He results reproduced accurately previously reported theoretical values for helium gas, dimer, and helium probe inside several fullerene cages. Excellent agreement with experimental values was achieved. (3)He nuclear magnetic shieldings of single helium atom approaching various points of benzene ring were tested, and an impact of (3)He confinement within fullerene cages of different size on the (3)He chemical shift was determined.

Experimental and theoretical study of the intramolecular C-H···N and C-H···S hydrogen bonding effects in the 1H and 13C NMR spectra of the 2-(alkylsulfanyl)-5-amino-1-vinylpyrroles: a particular state of amine nitrogen

In the (1)H NMR spectra of the 1-vinylpyrroles with amino- and alkylsulfanyl groups in 5 and 2 positions, an extraordinarily large difference between resonance positions of the HA and HB terminal methylene protons of the vinyl group is discovered. Also, the one-bond (1)J(C(β),H(B)) coupling constant is surprisingly greater than the (1)J(C(β),H(A)) coupling constant in pyrroles under investigation, while in all known cases, there was a reverse relationship between these coupling constants. These spectral anomalies are substantiated by quantum chemical calculations. The calculations show that the amine nitrogen lone pair is removed from the conjugation with the π-system of the pyrrole ring so that it is directed toward the HB hydrogen. These factors are favorable to the emergence of the intramolecular C-HB •••N hydrogen bonding in the s-cis(N) conformation. On the other hand, the spatial proximity of the sulfur to the HB hydrogen provides an opportunity of the intramolecular C-HB •••S hydrogen bonding in the s-cis(S) conformation. Presence of the hydrogen bond critical points as well as ring critical point for corresponding chelate ring revealed by a quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) approach confirms the existence of the weak intramolecular C-H•••N and C-H•••S hydrogen bonding. Therefore, an unusual high-frequency shift of the HB signal and the increase in the (1)J(C(β),H(B)) coupling constant can be explained by the effects of hydrogen bonding.

Evaluation of Approximate Exchange-Correlation Functionals in Predicting One-Bond (31)P-(1)H NMR Indirect Spin-Spin Coupling Constants

This work benchmarks density functional theory, with several different exchange-correlation functionals, for prediction of isotropic one-bond phosphorus-hydrogen NMR spin-spin coupling constants (SSCCs). Our test set consists of experimental SSCCs from 30 diverse molecules representing multiple phosphorus bonding environments. The results suggest the importance of a balance between the choice of correlation functional and the admixture of nonlocal exchange. Overall, standard DFT methods appear to suffice for usefully accurate predictions of (31)P-(1)H SSCCs.