Vicinal C,H spin coupling in substituted alkenes. Stereochemical significance and structural effects

Vicinal C,H spin coupling (³J_C,H) in substituted alkenes has been investigated systematically. Emphasis is laid on the stereochemical significance (J^trans/J^cis) and on the various structural factors which influence ³J_C,H, such as π-bond order, torsional angle ?, bond angle θ, electronegativity of substituents and steric effects. A new type of γ-effect is observed in ³J^trans_C,H which appears to have the same origin as the γ-shift effect. By comparison of ³J and ³J_H,H, it was found that the relation ³J_C,H ≈? 0·6 ³J_H,H holds for both trans and cis coupling constants. Finally, it is concluded that ³J_C,H constitutes a valuable criterion to distinguish E- and Z-isomers, particularly in trisubstituted alkenes. Applications to natural products are presented.