Identification and quantification of cis and trans isomers in aminophenyl double‐decker silsesquioxanes using 1H–29Si gHMBC NMR

Cis and trans isomers of a series of double‐decker silsesquioxanes (DDSQ) were characterized by two‐dimensional NMR techniques. The ¹H NMR spectra of these species have not previously been assigned to a degree that allows for quantification. Thus, ¹H–²⁹Si HMBC correlations were applied to facilitate ¹H spectral assignment and also to confirm previous ²⁹Si assignments for this class of silsesquioxanes. With the ability to identify all the pertinent resonances of the ¹H NMR spectrum, ²⁹Si NMR is no longer required for quantification and required only for characterization. This not only saves time and material but also provides a more accurate quantification, thus allowing for the ratio of cis and trans isomers present in each compound to be determined. A more accurate measure of the cis/trans ratio enables the investigation of its influence on the physical and chemical properties of DDSQ nanostructured materials. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.