Complexation of selenium to (R)‐Rh2(MTPA)4: thermodynamics and stoichiometry

Variable‐temperature ¹H and ⁷⁷Se NMR data for 3‐phenylselenenyl‐1‐phenyl‐1‐propene (1) in the presence of Rh₂(MTPA)₄ (Rh*) prove that the equilibria are strongly shifted towards the adduct Rh*···1; free selenide molecules cannot be detected as long as uncomplexed rhodium atoms are available. In the case of excess Rh*, both 1 : 2 and 1 : 1 adducts (Rh* vs 1) are formed, and the latter is slightly favoured. With excess selenide, the system strongly favours the complexation of two selenide molecules (1 : 2 adduct), i.e. one at each rhodium atom. In this situation, intermolecular selenide exchange can be monitored by variable‐temperature ¹H NMR spectroscopy and the energy barrier is estimated to be 54–55 kJ mol^?1. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Experimental verification of diverging mechanisms in the binding of ether,thioether, and sulfone ligands to a dirhodium tetracarboxylate

Complexation of the oxygen atom in 2‐butylphenylethers and sulfur in 2‐butylphenylthioethers to a rhodium atom in dirhodium tetracarboxylate Rh^(II)₂[(R)‐(+)‐MTPA]₄ is compared. Oxygen atoms complex via electrostatic attraction exclusively leading to an increase in α effects on C‐2 complexation shifts in the sequence OCH₃ > F > Br > NO₂. However, that trend is opposite in thioethers. This can be rationalized by an additional highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO)–LUMO interaction and the response of this interaction upon complex formation shifts. Thereby, an experimental evidence was found for the existence of the HOMO–LUMO binding mechanism which has been proposed previously based on theoretical considerations and indirect spectroscopic evidence. Sulfones hardly bind to Rh^(II)₂[(R)‐(+)‐MTPA]₄. Diastereomeric dispersion effects at ¹³C and ¹H signals can be observed for all compounds indicating that enantiodifferentiation is easy in all classes of functionalities. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hypervalent Organoselenium(II) Compounds with Organophosphorus Ligands. Crystal and Molecular Structure of [2‐(iPr2NCH2)C6H4]Se[S2PR′2] (R′ = Ph,OiPr)

Redistribution reactions between diorganodiselenides of type [2‐(R₂NCH₂)C₆H₄]₂Se₂ [R = Et, iPr] and bis(diorganophosphinothioyl disulfanes of type [R′₂P(S)S]₂ (R = Ph, OiPr) resulted in the hypervalent [2‐(R₂NCH₂)C₆H₄]SeSP(S)R′₂ [R = Et, R′ = Ph ( 1 ), OiPr ( 2 ); R = iPr, R′ = Ph ( 3 ), OiPr ( 4 )] species. All new compounds were characterized by solution multinuclear NMR spectroscopy (¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P, ⁷⁷Se) and the solid compounds 1 , 3 , and 4 also by FT‐IR spectroscopy. The crystal and molecular structures of 3 and 4 were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. In both compounds the N(1) atom is intramolecularly coordinated to the selenium atom, resulting in T‐shaped coordination arrangements of type (C,N)SeS. The dithio organophosphorus ligands act monodentate in both complexes, which can be described as essentially monomeric species. Weak intermolecular S ··· H contacts could be considered in the crystal of 3 , thus resulting in polymeric zig‐zag chains of R and S isomers, respectively.     

Metal‐induced B–H Activation. Addition of Methyl Acetylene Carboxylates to Cp*Rh‐ and Cp*Ir 16 e Halfsandwich Complexes containing a Chelating 1,2‐Dicarba‐closo‐dodecaborane‐1,2‐diselenolato Ligand

Reactions of the 16e halfsandwich complexes Cp*M[Se₂C₂(B₁₀H₁₀)] ( 5 M = Rh, 6 M = Ir) with both methyl acetylene monocarboxylate and dimethyl acetylene dicarboxylate were studied in order to obtain information on the influence of the chalcogen (selenium versus sulfur), as well as further evidence for B–H activation, ortho‐metalation and substitution of the carborane. In the case of the rhodium‐selenium complex 5 , the reaction with methyl acetylene monocarboxylate gave products which were all structurally different compared to those of the sulfur analogue of 5 : a polycyclic derivative 12 with a B(6)‐substituted carborane cage was obtained as one of the final products; in addition, both geometrical isomers containing a Rh–B bond ( 10 , 11 ) and isomers without a Rh–B bond ( 8 , 9 ) were isolated, the latter being the result of twofold insertion into one of the Rh–Se bonds. In the case of the iridium‐selenium complex 6 , the reaction with methyl acetylene monocarboxylate led to the geometrical isomers 13 and 14 (similar to 10 and 11 ) with structures possessing an Ir–B bond. Both 5 and 6 reacted with dimethyl acetylene dicarboxylate at room temperature to give the complexes 15 and 16 which are formed by addition of the C≡C unit to the metal center and insertion into one of the metal‐selenium bonds. The proposed structures in solution were deduced from NMR data (¹H, ¹¹B, ¹³C, ⁷⁷Se, ¹⁰³Rh NMR), and an X‐ray structural analysis was carried out for the rhodium complex 12 .     

Hypervalent selenium compounds containing N → Se intramolecular interactions: synthesis,characterization and X‐ray structures of [2‐(Me2NCH2)C6H4]SeS(S)PR2 (R = Ph,OiPr)

[2‐(Me₂NCH₂)C₆H₄]Se? S(S)PR₂ [R = Ph (1), OⁱPr (2)] were prepared by reacting [2‐(Me₂NCH₂)C₆H₄]₂Se₂ with the appropriate disulfanes, [R₂P(S)S]₂. The compounds were characterized by multinuclear magnetic resonance (¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P). The molecular structures of 1 and 2 were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Both compounds are monomeric and the nitrogen atom of the pendent CH₂NMe₂ arm is strongly coordinated to the selenium atom. The organophosphorus ligands are monodentate, thus resulting in a T‐shaped coordination geometry around selenium. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Formation,Structural Characterization,and Calculated NMR Chemical Shifts of Selenium‐Nitrogen Compounds from SeCl4 and ArNHLi (Ar = supermesityl,mesityl)

Supermesityl selenium diimide [Se{N(C₆H₂^tBu₃‐2, 4, 6)}₂; Se{N(mes*)}₂] can be prepared in a good yield from the reaction of SeCl₄ and (mes*)NHLi. The molecule adopts an unprecedented anti, anti‐conformation, as deduced by DFT calculations at PBE0/TZVP level of theory and supported by ⁷⁷Se NMR spectroscopy and a crystal structure determination. An analogous reaction involving (C₆H₂Me₃‐2, 4, 6)NHLi [(mes)NHLi] unexpectedly lead to the reduction of selenium and afforded the selenium diamide Se{NH(mes)}₂ that was characterized by X‐ray crystallography and ⁷⁷Se NMR spectroscopy. The Se‐N bonds of 1.847(3) and 1.852(3) Å show normal single bond lengths. The <NSeN bond angle of 109.9(1)° also indicates a tetrahedral AX₂E₂ bonding arrangement around selenium. Two N‐H···N hydrogen bonds link the Se{NH(mes)}₂ molecule with two discrete (mes)NH₂ molecules. In the solid state selenium diamide adopts the anti‐conformation, whereas in solution the presence of both syn‐ and anti‐isomers could be observed. PBE0/TZVP calculations of the shielding tensors of 28 different types of selenium‐containing molecules, for which the ⁷⁷Se chemical shifts are unambiguously known, were carried out to assist the spectral assignment of Se{N(mes*)}₂ and Se{NH(mes)}₂.     

Synthesis and Characterization of trans‐PdII Trimethylsilylchalcogenolates

The trans‐bis(trimethylsilyl)chalcogenolate palladium complexes, trans‐[Pd(ESiMe₃)₂(PnBu₃)₂] [E = S ( 1 ) and Se ( 2 )] were synthesized in good yields and high purity by reacting trans‐[PdCl₂(PBu₃)₂] with LiESiMe₃ (E = S, Se), respectively. These complexes were characterized by ¹H, ¹³C{¹H}, ³¹P{¹H} (and ⁷⁷Se{¹H}) NMR spectroscopy and single‐crystal X‐ray analysis. The reaction of 2 with propionyl chloride led to the formation of trans‐[Pd(SeC(O)CH₂CH₃)₂(PnBu₃)₂] ( 3 ), a trans‐bis(selenocarboxylato) palladium complex and thus established a new method for the formation of this type of complex. Complex 3 was characterized by ¹H, ¹³C{¹H}, ³¹P{¹H} and ⁷⁷Se{¹H} NMR spectroscopy and a single‐crystal X‐ray structure analysis.     

Resonance assignments of diastereotopic CH2 protons in the anomeric side chain of selenoglycosides by means of 2J(Se,H) spin‐spin coupling constants

Unambiguous resonance assignments of diastereotopic CH₂ protons in the anomeric side chain of nine alkyl‐ and aralkylselenoglycosides have been carried out on the basis of experimental CPMG‐HSQMBC measurements and theoretical second order polarization propagator approach (SOPPA) calculations of geminal ⁷⁷Se‐¹H spin‐spin coupling constants involving diastereotopic pro‐R and pro‐S protons. Theoretical conformational analyses have been performed at the MP2/6‐311G** level. The conformational space of each of the selenoglycosides under study could be adequately described as a mixture of six interconverting conformers with the molar fractions depending on the nature of the side chain substituent at the selenium atom. The good agreement observed between measured and the weighted conformational averaged values of the calculated coupling constants provides a basis for reliable diastereotopic assignments in this type of carbohydrate structures. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A new method proposed for the determination of absolute configurations of α‐amino acids

Enantiopure α‐amino acids were converted to 4‐substituted 2‐aryl‐ and 2‐alkyl‐5(4H)‐oxazolones under partial racemization. These nonracemic mixtures were dissolved in CDCl₃, an equimolar amount of the chiral dirhodium complex [(R)? (+)? MTPA]₄ (MTPA‐H = Mosher's acid) was added, and the ¹H NMR spectra of the resulting samples were recorded (dirhodium method). The relative intensities of ¹H signals dispersed by the formation of diastereomeric adducts allow to determine the absolute configuration (AC) of the starting α‐amino acids. Binding atoms in the adducts were identified by comparing the ¹H and ¹³C chemical shifts of the oxazolones in the absence and presence of [(R)? (+)? MTPA]₄. Thereby, information about the scope and limits of this method can be extracted. A protocol how to use this method is presented. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Adamantanes as spherical nanosondes in adducts with a chiral dirhodium complex-discriminating enantiomers and probing spatial proximities

Three different kinds of substituted chiral adamantane molecules—adamantanones, dioxolanoadamantanes and dithiolano—adamantanes—were studied in the dirhodium experiment (NMR measurement with 1:1 molar mixtures with Rh^(II)₂[(R)‐(+)‐MTPA]₄ in CDCl₃). Their different behavior in adduct formation is described, and the possibility of determining enantiomeric purities and absolute configurations is explored. Detailed inspection of one‐ and two‐dimensional NMR experiments allowed for an interpretation of steric and electronic intra‐adduct interaction showing that the phenyl groups of Rh* tend to enwrap the bound adamantane ligand so that through‐space effects over a range of 6–7 Å away from the binding rhodium atom can be observed. Even slight differences in the relative orientation of phenyl groups can be monitored when comparing diastereomeric adducts via NMR signal dispersion. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthese und spektroskopische Charakterisierung von [Rh(SeCN)6]3– und trans‐[Rh(CN)2(SeCN)4]3–, Kristallstruktur von (Me4N)3[Rh(SeCN)6]

Synthesis and Spectroscopic Characterization of [Rh(SeCN)₆]^3– and trans ‐[Rh(CN)₂(SeCN)₄]^3–, Crystal Structure of (Me₄N)₃[Rh(SeCN)₆] Treatment of RhCl₃ with KSeCN in acetone yields a mixture of selenocyanato‐rhodates(III), from which [Rh(SeCN)₆]^3– and trans‐[Rh(CN)₂(SeCN)₄]^3– have been isolated by ion exchange chromatography on diethylaminoethyl cellulose. The X‐ray structure determination on a single crystal of (Me₄N)₃[Rh(SeCN)₆] (trigonal, space group R3, a = 14.997(2), c = 24.437(3) Å, Z = 6) reveals, that the compound crystallizes isotypically to (Me₄N)₃[Ir(SCN)₆]. The exclusively via Se coordinated selenocyanato ligands are bonded with the average Rh–Se distance of 2.490 Å and the Rh–Se–C angle of 104.6°. In the low temperature IR and Raman spectra the metal ligand stretching modes ν(RhSe) of (n‐Bu₄N)₃[Rh(SeCN)₆] ( 1 ) and trans‐(n‐Bu₄N)₃[Rh(CN)₂(SeCN)₄] ( 2 ) are in the range of 170–250 cm^–1. In 2 ν_as(CRhC) is observed at 479 cm^–1. The vibrational spectra are assigned by normal coordinate analysis based on the molecular parameters of the X‐ray determination. The valence force constants are f_d(RhSe) = 1.08 ( 1 ), 1.10 ( 2 ) and f_d(RhC) = 3.14 mdyn/Å ( 2 ). f_d(RhS) = 1.32 mdyn/Å is determined for [Rh(SCN)₆]^3–, which has not been calculated so far. The ¹⁰³Rh NMR resonances are 2287 ( 1 ), 1680 ppm ( 2 ) and the ⁷⁷Se NMR resonances are –32.7 ( 1 ) and –110.7 ppm ( 2 ). The Rh–C bonding of the cyano ligand in 2 is confirmed by a dublett in the ¹³C NMR spectrum at 136.3 ppm.     

J(77Se,1H) and J(77Se,13C) couplings of seleno‐carbohydrates obtained by 77Se satellite 1D 13C spectroscopy and 77Se selective HR‐HMBC spectroscopy

Seleno‐carbohydrates are those in which the oxygen of the glycosidic bond or the hydroxyl group is artificially replaced with selenium. This substitution changes ¹H and ¹³C chemical shifts and produces spin coupling constants involving ⁷⁷Se. Coupling constants, such as ^2‐3J(⁷⁷Se, ¹H), are likely to be useful for conformational analyses of glycans because such couplings are never observed in natural glycans. Several papers have discussed the relationship between ^2‐3J(⁷⁷Se, ¹H) and conformation; however, only few reports describe ^1‐3J(⁷⁷Se, ¹³C), which could also be useful. Here, we obtain ⁷⁷Se coupling constants of seleno‐carbohydrates from ⁷⁷Se‐selective HR‐HMBC and ⁷⁷Se satellites in 1D ¹³C spectra and examine their conformations using the Newman projection scheme.     

Major Distinctions in the Molecular and Supramolecular Structures of Selenium‐containing Organotins, (o‐MeSe‐C6H4CH2)SnPh3–nCln (n = 0, 1, 2)

The synthesis and characterization of selenium‐containing stannanes, (o‐MeSeC₆H₄CH₂)Sn(Ph)_3–nCl_n [n = 0 ( 1Se ); 1 ( 2Se ); 2 ( 3Se )], is presented. The increasing Lewis acidity at tin in the series 1Se → 2Se → 3Se is reflected in their respective solid state arrangements and supramolecular architecture by interactions of the type Se ··· Se, Sn ··· Se, and Cl ··· H–C. Overall the capacity of the selenium atom to form bidentate interactions creates geometric assemblies distinctly different to those of the oxygen and sulfur analogs.     

Relativistic effects in the one‐bond spin–spin coupling constants involving selenium

One‐bond spin–spin coupling constants involving selenium of seven different types, ¹ J(Se,X), X = ¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁵ N, ¹⁹ F, ²⁹Si, ³¹P, and ⁷⁷Se, were calculated in the series of 14 representative compounds at the SOPPA(CCSD) level taking into account relativistic corrections evaluated both at the RPA and DFT levels of theory in comparison with experiment. Relativistic corrections were found to play a major role in the calculation of ¹ J(Se,X) reaching as much as almost 170% of the total value of ¹ J(Se,Se) and up to 60–70% for the rest of ¹ J(Se,X). Scalar relativistic effects (Darwin and mass‐velocity corrections) by far dominate over spin–orbit coupling in the total relativistic effects for all ¹ J(Se,X). Taking into account relativistic corrections at both random phase approximation and density functional theory levels essentially improves the agreement of theoretical results with experiment. The most ‘relativistic’ ¹ J(Se,Se) demonstrates a marked Karplus‐type dihedral angle dependence with respect to the mutual orientation of the selenium lone pairs providing a powerful tool for stereochemical analysis of selenoorganic compounds. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of Cationic R2P5+ Cages and Subsequent Chalcogenation Reactions

Cationic R₂P₅⁺ cage compounds ( 1 ⁺) have been synthesized by the stoichiometric reaction of R₂PCl, GaCl₃ and P₄. The reaction conditions depend on the substituent R. Alkyl‐substituted derivatives ( 1 a – 1 d [GaCl₄]) are best synthesized under solvent‐free conditions, whereas aryl‐substituted derivatives ( 1 e – 1 h [GaCl₄]) are formed in C₆H₅F. All compounds have been prepared on a multi‐gram scale in good to excellent yields and have been fully characterized with an emphasis on ³¹P NMR spectroscopy in solution and single‐crystal structure determination. Subsequent chalcogenation reactions of cations R₂P₅⁺ ( 1 a ⁺, 1 e ⁺) and trication Ph₆P₇³⁺ ( 3 ³⁺) with elemental sulfur (α‐S₈) or grey selenium (Se_grey) yielded a series of unique polyphosphorus–chalcogen cations ( 4 a ⁺, 4 e ⁺, 5 a ⁺, 6 ²⁺ and 7 ²⁺), possessing nortricyclane‐type molecular structures. An in‐depth study of the ³¹P{¹H} and ⁷⁷Se NMR spectroscopic parameters is presented, and correlations between the substitution pattern and the observed structural features have been investigated in detail.     

New Stable and Persistent Acyclic Diaminocarbenes

The portfolio of acyclic diaminocarbenes (ADACs) has been substantially expanded, owing to the synthesis of eleven new formamidinium salts, mostly of the type [(iPr₂N)CH(NRR′)][PF₆], for use as immediate carbene precursors. The corresponding ADACs (iPr₂N)C(NRR′) were sufficiently stable for isolation in the case of NRR′=2‐methylpiperidino ( 13 ), 3‐methylpiperidino ( 14 ), 4‐methylpiperidino ( 15 ), morpholino ( 17 ) and NiPrPh ( 20 ), but had to be trapped in situ in the case of NRR′=2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidino ( 12 ) and NiPrMe ( 19 ). The tetraaryl‐substituted ADACs (Ph₂N)₂C ( 22 ) and (Ph₂N)C[N(C₆F₅)₂] ( 24 ) also could only be generated and trapped in situ. Trapping with elemental selenium was particularly efficient, affording the corresponding selenourea derivative in all cases, whereas trapping with [{Rh(μ‐Cl)(cod)}₂] did not work for 12 and 24 . The ⁷⁷Se NMR chemical shifts, δ(⁷⁷Se), of the selenourea compounds derived from the new ADACs lie in the range 450–760 ppm, which indicates a much higher electrophilicity and π‐accepting capability of ADACs in comparison with NHCs, which typically exhibit δ(⁷⁷Se)<200 ppm. The extreme low‐field shift of 758 ppm observed for 12 Se can be rationalised by the results of DFT calculations, which revealed that ADAC 12 has a minimum energy conformation with the 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidino unit perpendicular to the N₂C plane, which suppresses the π donation of this amino group and causes an unusually low LUMO energy and high electrophilicity.     

Complexation of Zn(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II) with thiourea and selenourea: A 1H, 13C, 15N, 77Se and 113Cd solution and solid-state NMR study

Zinc(II), cadmium(II) and mercury(II) complexes of thiourea (TU) and selenourea (SeU) of general formula M(TU)₂Cl₂ or M(SeU)₂Cl₂ have been prepared. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis and NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁵N, ⁷⁷Se and ¹¹³Cd) spectroscopy. A low-frequency shift of the C=S resonance of thiones in ¹³C NMR and high-frequency shifts of N–H resonances in ¹H and ¹⁵N NMR are consistent with sulfur or selenium coordination to the metal ions. The Se nucleus in Cd(SeU)₂Cl₂ in ⁷⁷Se NMR is deshielded by 87?ppm on coordination, relative to the free ligand. In comparison, the analogous Zn(II) and Hg(II) complexes show deshielding by 33 and 50?ppm, respectively, indicating that the orbital overlap of Se with Cd is better. Principal components of ⁷⁷Se and ¹¹³Cd shielding tensors were determined from solid-state NMR data.     

Diselenadiphosphetandiselenide und Triselenadiphospholandiselenide – Synthese und Charakterisierung mittels 31P‐ und 77Se‐Festkörper‐NMRSpektroskopie

Diselenadiphosphetane Diselenides and Triselenadiphospholane Diselenides – Synthesis and Characterization by ³¹P and ⁷⁷Se Solid‐State NMR Spectroscopy 1,3‐Diselena‐2,4‐diphosphetane‐2,4‐diselenides (RPSe₂)₂ with R = Me, Et, t‐Bu, Ph, 4‐Me₂NC₆H₄, 4‐MeOC₆H₄ have been synthesized by different methods. The insoluble compounds were investigated by ³¹P and ⁷⁷Se solid‐state NMR and the purity of the compounds has been checked by their CP MAS sideband NMR spectra. The structure of the investigated compounds has been confirmed by the isotropic and anisotropic values of the chemical shifts and the ¹J_P–Se coupling constants. In addition, two new 1,2,4‐triselena‐3,5‐diphospholane‐3,5‐diselenides, (RPSe₂)₂Se (R = Me, Et), formed under similar synthesis conditions, were investigated. Their structure was derived from the ⁷⁷Se satellites of ³¹P solution spectra and from solid‐state spectra. For (t‐BuPSe₂)₂ the experimentally obtained principal values of phosphorus and selenium shielding tensors are compared with values from IGLO calculations (HF und SOS DFPT). The calculated orientations of the principal axes are discussed.     

Synthesis of Enantiomerically Pure 1,5,5‐Trideuterated cis‐ and trans‐2,4‐Dioxa‐3‐phosphadecalins. 31P‐NMR Evidence of Covalent‐Bond Formation and the Stereochemical Implications in the Course of the Inhibition of δ‐Chymotrypsin

The irreversible inhibition of δ‐chymotrypsin with the enantiomerically pure, P(3)‐axially and P(3)‐equatorially X‐substituted cis‐ and trans‐configurated 2,4‐dioxa‐3‐phospha(1,5,5‐²H₃)bicyclo[4.4.0]decane 3‐oxides (X=F, 2,4‐dinitrophenoxy) was monitored by ³¹P‐NMR spectroscopy. ¹H‐Correlated ³¹P{²H}‐NMR spectra enabled the direct observation of the vicinal coupling (³J) between the P‐atom of the inhibitor and the CH₂O moiety of Ser¹⁹⁵ (=‘Ser¹⁹⁵’(CH₂O)), thus establishing the covalent nature of the ‘Ser¹⁹⁵’(CH₂O? P) bond in the inhibited enzyme. The stereochemical course of the phosphorylation is dependent on the structure of the inhibitor, and neat inversion, both inversion and retention, as well as neat retention of the configuration at the P‐atom was found.     

Open‐chain unsaturated selanyl sulfides: stereochemical structure and stereochemical behavior of their 77Se–1H spin–spin coupling constants

Stereochemical structure of nine Z‐2‐(vinylsulfanyl)ethenylselanyl organyl sulfides has been investigated by means of experimental measurements and second‐order polarization propagator approach calculations of their ¹H–¹H, ¹³C–¹H, and ⁷⁷Se–¹H spin–spin coupling constants together with a theoretical conformational analysis performed at the MP2/6‐311G** level. All nine compounds were shown to adopt the preferable skewed s‐cis conformation of their terminal vinylsulfanyl group, whereas the favorable rotational conformations with respect to the internal rotations around the C–S and C–Se bonds of the internal ethenyl group are both skewed s‐trans. Stereochemical trends of ⁷⁷Se–¹H spin–spin coupling constants originating in the geometry of their coupling pathways and the selenium lone pair effect were rationalized in terms of the natural J‐coupling analysis within the framework of the natural bond orbital approach. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.