First example of the correlated calculation of the one‐bond tellurium–carbon spin–spin coupling constants: Relativistic effects,vibrational corrections,and solvent effects

This work reports on the comprehensive calculation of the NMR one‐bond spin–spin coupling constants (SSCCs) involving carbon and tellurium, ¹J(¹²⁵Te,¹³C), in four representative compounds: Te(CH₃)₂, Te(CF₃)₂, Te(C?CH)₂, and tellurophene. A high‐level computational treatment of ¹J(¹²⁵Te,¹³C) included calculations at the SOPPA level taking into account relativistic effects evaluated at the 4‐component RPA and DFT levels of theory, vibrational corrections, and solvent effects. The consistency of different computational approaches including the level of theory of the geometry optimization of tellurium‐containing compounds, basis sets, and methods used for obtainig spin–spin coupling values have also been discussed in view of reproducing the experimental values of the tellurium–carbon SSCCs. Relativistic corrections were found to play a major role in the calculation of ¹J(¹²⁵Te,¹³C) reaching as much as almost 50% of the total value of ¹J(¹²⁵Te,¹³C) while relativistic geometrical effects are of minor importance. The vibrational and solvent corrections account for accordingly about 3–6% and 0–4% of the total value. It is shown that taking into account relativistic corrections, vibrational corrections and solvent effects at the DFT level essentially improves the agreement of the non‐relativistic theoretical SOPPA results with experiment. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Prediction of water's isotropic nuclear shieldings and indirect nuclear spin–spin coupling constants (SSCCs) using correlation‐consistent and polarization‐consistent basis sets in the Kohn–Sham basis set limit

Density functional theory (DFT) was used to estimate water's isotropic nuclear shieldings and indirect nuclear spin–spin coupling constants (SSCCs) in the Kohn–Sham (KS) complete basis set (CBS) limit. Correlation‐consistent cc‐pVxZ and cc‐pCVxZ (x = D, T, Q, 5, and 6), and their modified versions (ccJ‐pVxZ, unc‐ccJ‐pVxZ, and aug‐cc‐pVTZ‐J) and polarization‐consistent pc‐n and pcJ‐n (n = 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4) basis sets were used, and the results fitted with a simple mathematical formula. The performance of over 20 studied density functionals was assessed from comparison with the experiment. The agreement between the CBS DFT‐predicted isotropic shieldings, spin–spin values, and the experimental values was good and similar for the modified correlation‐consistent and polarization‐consistent basis sets. The BHandH method predicted the most accurate ¹H, ¹⁷O isotropic shieldings and ¹J(OH) coupling constant (deviations from experiment of about ? 0.2 and ? 1 ppm and 0.6 Hz, respectively). The performance of BHandH for predicting water isotropic shieldings and ¹J(OH) is similar to the more advanced methods, second‐order polarization propagator approximation (SOPPA) and SOPPA(CCSD), in the basis set limit. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Can One Assess the π Character of a C–C Bond with the Help of the NMR Spin–Spin Coupling Constants?

Measured one‐bond spin–spin coupling constants (SSCC) ¹J(CC) can be used to describe the nature of the C–C bond, provided one is able to separate the various coupling mechanisms leading to ¹J(CC). The Fermi‐contact (FC) term probes the first‐order density at the positions of the coupling nuclei, whereas the noncontact terms (the paramagnetic spin orbit (PSO) and the spin–dipole (SD) terms) probe the π character of the C–C bond (the diamagnetic spin orbit (DSO) term can mostly be neglected). A model is tested, in which the value of the FC(CC) term is estimated with the help of measured SSCCs ¹J(CH). The difference between the measured J(CC) and the estimated FC(CC) values, Δ(CC)=PSO(CC)+SD(CC)+DSO(CC), provides a semiquantitative measure of the π character of a C–C multiple bond. The applicability and limitations of this approach are discussed by partitioning the four Ramsey terms of the SSCC ¹J(CC) into one‐ and two‐orbital contributions. The FC, PSO, and SD terms of ¹J(CC) are explained and analyzed with regard to their relationship to other C–C bond properties. It is shown that empirical relationships between measured SSCCs and the s character of a bond need reconsideration.     

Nonempirical calculations of the one‐bond 29Si–13C spin–spin coupling constants taking into account relativistic and solvent corrections

The computational study of the one‐bond ²⁹Si–¹³C spin–spin coupling constants has been performed at the second‐order polarization propagator approximation (SOPPA) level in the series of 60 diverse silanes with a special focus on the main factors affecting the accuracy of the calculation including the level of theory, the quality of the basis set, and the contribution of solvent and relativistic effects. Among three SOPPA‐based methods, SOPPA(MP2), SOPPA(CC2), and SOPPA(CCSD), the best result was achieved with SOPPA(CCSD) when used in combination with Sauer's basis set aug‐cc‐pVTZ‐J characterized by the mean absolute error of calculated coupling constants against the experiment of ca 2 Hz in the range of ca 200 Hz. The SOPPA(CCSD)/aug‐cc‐pVTZ‐J method is recommended as the most accurate and effective computational scheme for the calculation of ¹J(Si,C). The slightly less accurate but essentially more economical SOPPA(MP2)/aug‐cc‐pVTZ‐J and/or SOPPA(CC2)/aug‐cc‐pVTZ‐J methods are recommended for larger molecular systems. It was shown that solvent and relativistic corrections do not play a major role in the computation of the total values of ¹J(Si,C); however, taking them into account noticeably improves agreement with the experiment. The rovibrational corrections are estimated to be of about 1 Hz or 1–1.5% of the total value of ¹J(Si,C). Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Non‐empirical calculations of NMR indirect carbon–carbon coupling constants. Part 4: Bicycloalkanes

A systematic study of the one‐bond and long‐range J(C,C), J(C,H) and J(H,H) in the series of nine bicycloalkanes was performed at the SOPPA level with special emphasis on the coupling transmission mechanisms at bridgeheads. Many unknown couplings were predicted with high reliability. Further refinement of SOPPA computational scheme adjusted for better performance was carried out using bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane as a benchmark to investigate the influence of geometry, basis set and electronic correlation. The calculations performed demonstrated that classical ab initio SOPPA applied with the locally dense Dunning's sets augmented with inner core s‐functions used for coupled carbons and Sauer's sets augmented with tight s‐functions used for coupled hydrogens performs perfectly well in reproducing experimental values of different types of coupling constants (the estimated reliability is ca 1–2 Hz) in relatively large organic molecules of up to 11 carbon atoms. Additive coupling increments were derived for J(C,C), J(C,H) and J(H,H) based on the calculated values of coupling constants within SOPPA in the model bicycloalkanes, in reasonably good agreement with the known values obtained earlier on pure empirical grounds. Most of the bridgehead couplings in all but one bicycloalkane appeared to be essentially additive within ca 2–3 Hz while bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane demonstrated dramatic non‐additivity of ?14.5 Hz for J(C,C), +16.6 Hz for J(H,H) and ?5.5 Hz for J(C,H), in line with previous findings. Non‐additivity effects in the latter compound established at the SOPPA level should be attributed to the through‐space non‐bonded interactions at bridgeheads due to the essential overlapping of the bridgehead rear lobes which provides an additional and effective non‐bonding coupling path for the bridgehead carbons and their protons in the bicyclopentane framework. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

NMR spin–spin coupling constants in hydrogen‐bonded glycine clusters

The influence of the hydrogen bond formation on the NMR spin–spin coupling constants (SSCC), including the Fermi contact (FC), the diamagnetic spin‐orbit, the paramagnetic spin‐orbit, and the spin dipole term, has been investigated systematically for the homogeneous glycine cluster, in gas phase, containing up to three monomers. The one‐bond and two‐bond SSCCs for several intramolecular (through covalent bond) and intermolecular (across the hydrogen‐bond) atomic pairs are calculated employing the density functional theory with B3LYP and KT3 functionals and different types of extended basis sets. The ab initio SOPPA(CCSD) is used as benchmark for the SSCCs of the glycine monomer. The hydrogen bonding is found to cause significant variations in the one‐bond SSCCs, mostly due to contribution from electronic interactions. However, the nature of variation depends on the type of oxygen atom (proton‐acceptor or proton‐donor) present in the interaction. Two‐bond intermolecular coupling constants vary more than the corresponding one‐bond constants when the size of the cluster increases. Among the four Ramsey terms that constitute the total SSCC, the FC term is the most dominant contributor followed by the paramagnetic spin‐orbit term in all one‐bond interaction.     

Multinuclear NMR Characterization of Cyanuric Fluoride (2,4,6‐Trifluoro‐1,3,5‐triazine)

Although 2,4,6‐trifluoro‐1,3,5‐triazine, C₃F₃N₃, is a highly symmetrical molecule, its NMR parameters can be obtained by reducing its symmetry through the introduction of ¹⁴N/¹⁵N and ¹²C/¹³C isotopomers. Experimental and computed chemical shifts of cyanuric fluoride have been obtained for ¹³C, ¹⁵N, and ¹⁹F. Spin‐spin coupling constants have been measured and compared with previous experimental data and with the complete set of computed EOM‐CCSD coupling constants.     

Full four‐component relativistic calculations of the one‐bond 77Se–13C spin‐spin coupling constants in the series of selenium heterocycles and their parent open‐chain selenides

Four‐component relativistic calculations of ⁷⁷Se–¹³C spin–spin coupling constants have been performed in the series of selenium heterocycles and their parent open‐chain selenides. It has been found that relativistic effects play an essential role in the selenium–carbon coupling mechanism and could result in a contribution of as much as 15–25% of the total values of the one‐bond selenium–carbon spin‐spin coupling constants. In the overall contribution of the relativistic effects to the total values of ¹J(Se,C), the scalar relativistic corrections (negative in sign) by far dominate over the spin‐orbit ones (positive in sign), the latter being of less than 5%, as compared to the former (ca 20%). A combination of nonrelativistic second‐order polarization propagator approach (CC2) with the four‐component relativistic density functional theory scheme is recommended as a versatile tool for the calculation of ¹J(Se,C). Solvent effects in the values of ¹J(Se,C) calculated within the polarizable continuum model for the solvents with different dielectric constants (ε 2.2–78.4) are next to negligible decreasing negative ¹J(Se,C) in absolute value by only about 1 Hz. The use of the locally dense basis set approach applied herewith for the calculation of ⁷⁷Se–¹³C spin‐spin coupling constants is fully justified resulting in a dramatic decrease in computational cost with only 0.1–0.2‐Hz loss of accuracy. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

One‐bond 29Si‐1H spin‐spin coupling constants in the series of halosilanes: benchmark SOPPA and DFT calculations,relativistic effects,and vibrational corrections

A number of most representative second order polarization propagator approach (SOPPA) based wavefunction methods, SOPPA, SOPPA(CC2) and SOPPA(CCSD), and density functional theory (DFT) based methods, B3LYP, PBE0, KT2, and KT3, have been benchmarked in the calculation of the one‐bond ²⁹Si‐¹H spin‐spin coupling constants in the series of halosilanes SiH_nX_4?n (X = F, Cl, Br, I), both at the non‐relativistic and full four‐parameter Dirac's relativistic levels taking into account vibrational corrections. At the non‐relativistic level, the wavefunction methods showed much better results as compared with those of DFT. At the DFT level, out of four tested functionals, the Perdew, Burke, and Ernzerhof's PBE0 showed best performance. Taking into account, relativistic effects and vibrational corrections noticeably improves wavefunction methods results, but generally worsens DFT results. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Boron as an Electron‐Pair Donor for B⋅⋅⋅Cl Halogen Bonds

MP2/aug′‐cc‐pVTZ calculations were performed to investigate boron as an electron‐pair donor in halogen‐bonded complexes (CO)₂(HB):ClX and (N₂)₂(HB):ClX, for X=F, Cl, OH, NC, CN, CCH, CH₃, and H. Equilibrium halogen‐bonded complexes with boron as the electron‐pair donor are found on all of the potential surfaces, except for (CO)₂(HB):ClCH₃ and (N₂)₂(HB):ClF. The majority of these complexes are stabilized by traditional halogen bonds, except for (CO)₂(HB):ClF, (CO)₂(HB):ClCl, (N₂)₂(HB):ClCl, and (N₂)₂(HB):ClOH, which are stabilized by chlorine‐shared halogen bonds. These complexes have increased binding energies and shorter B?Cl distances. Charge transfer stabilizes all complexes and occurs from the B lone pair to the σ* Cl?A orbital of ClX, in which A is the atom of X directly bonded to Cl. A second reduced charge‐transfer interaction occurs in (CO)₂(HB):ClX complexes from the Cl lone pair to the π* C≡O orbitals. Equation‐of‐motion coupled cluster singles and doubles (EOM‐CCSD) spin–spin coupling constants, ^1xJ(B‐Cl), across the halogen bonds are also indicative of the changing nature of this bond. ^1xJ(B‐Cl) values for both series of complexes are positive at long distances, increase as the distance decreases, and then decrease as the halogen bonds change from traditional to chlorine‐shared bonds, and begin to approach the values for the covalent bonds in the corresponding ions [(CO)₂(HB)?Cl]⁺ and [(N₂)₂(HB)?Cl]⁺. Changes in ¹¹B chemical shieldings upon complexation correlate with changes in the charges on B.     

Non‐empirical calculations of NMR indirect carbon–carbon coupling constants: 2. Strained polycarbocycles

High‐level non‐empirical calculations of carbon–carbon spin–spin coupling constants in a series of strained polycarbocycles have been carried out, in excellent agreement with available experimental data. The utmost importance of electronic correlation effects in this case has been demonstrated and it has been shown that the Second‐Order Polarization Propagator Approach (SOPPA) is an adequate method to account for those effects. It has been demonstrated that the most reliable basis sets to calculate J(C,C) at the SOPPA level are the correlation‐consistent basis sets of Dunning and co‐workers augmented with inner core s‐functions or decontracted in their s‐parts. The nature of the unusual bridgehead–bridgehead bonds in bicyclobutane and propellane in terms of s‐characters of bonding hybrids and also the hybridization effects in spiropentane are discussed based on the arguments derived from the current calculations of J(C,C) in the title compounds. The values of the unknown J(C,C) in propellane and spiropentane are predicted with high reliability. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Interpreting 2hJ(F,N), 1hJ(H,N) and 1J(F,H) in the hydrogen‐bonded FH–collidine complex

Ab initio EOM‐CCSD calculations were performed to determine ¹⁹F,¹H, ¹⁹F,¹⁵N and ¹H,¹⁵N spin–spin coupling constants in model complexes FH–NH₃ and FH–pyridine as a function of the F—H and F—N distances. The absolute value of ¹J(F,H) decreases and that of ^1hJ(H,N) increases rapidly along the proton‐transfer coordinate, even in the region of the proton‐shared F—H—N hydrogen bond. In contrast, ^2hJ(F,N) remains essentially constant in this region. These results are consistent with the recently reported experimental NMR spectra of FH–collidine which show that ^1hJ(H,N) increases and ¹J(F,H) decreases, while ^2hJ(F,N) remains constant as the temperature of the solution decreases. They suggest that the FH–collidine complex is stabilized by a proton‐shared hydrogen bond over the range of experimental temperatures investigated, being on the traditional side of quasi‐symmetric at high temperatures, and on the ion‐pair side at low temperatures. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Structural studies on aryl‐substituted enaminoketones and their thio analogues. Part II. Experimental and DFT calculated carbon–carbon coupling constants,nJ(CC)'s (n = 1–3)

Spin–spin carbon–carbon coupling constants across one, two and three bonds, J(CC), have been measured for a series of aryl‐substituted Z‐s‐Z‐s‐E enaminoketones and their thio analogues. As a result, a large set, altogether 178, of J(CC)s has been obtained. It consists of 82 couplings across one bond, 31 couplings across two bonds and 65 couplings across three bonds. Independently, the DFT calculations at the B3PW91/6‐311++G(d,p)//B3PW91/6‐311++G(d,p) level yielded a set of theoretical J(CC) values. A comparison of these two sets of data gave an excellent linear correlation with parameters a and b close to ideal; a = 0.9978 which is not far from unity and b = 0.22 Hz which is close to zero. The ¹J(CC) couplings determined for the crucial fragment of the molecules, i.e. ? C?C? C?O (or ? C?C? C?S), are: ¹J(C?C) ≈ 68 Hz (67 Hz) and ¹J(C? C) = 60.5 Hz (60.0 Hz). The corresponding couplings found for the Z‐s‐Z‐s‐E isomer of the parent enaminoketone, 4‐methylamino‐but‐3‐en‐2‐one are 64.1 and 59.3 Hz, respectively. The most sensitive towards substitution of the oxygen atom by sulfur are two‐bond couplings between the α‐vinylic and aromatic C_ipso carbon atoms, which attain 12 Hz in the enaminoketone derivatives and decrease to 5 Hz in their thio analogues. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Non‐empirical calculations of NMR indirect carbon–carbon coupling constants: 3. Polyhedranes

High‐level ab initio calculations of carbon–carbon coupling constants were carried out in tetrahedrane, prismane and cubane using the SOPPA (Second‐Order Polarization Propagator Approach) computational scheme, in good agreement with available experimental data. It was found that SOPPA performs perfectly well in combination with Dunning's correlation‐consistent basis sets augmented with inner core functions; however, no improvement was observed on adding tight s‐functions. The utmost importance of electronic correlation effects decreasing the total values of computed J(C,C) in the title compounds by a factor of ～2.0–2.5 was found. Unknown values of J(C,C) in the title polyhedranes were predicted with high reliability and the latter were treated in terms of s‐characters of carbon–carbon bonds based on the additive scheme of coupling pathways. All three compounds under study showed decreased s‐characters of their carbon–carbon bonds, which is the result of their remarkable steric strain. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Benchmark calculations of 29Si–1H spin–spin coupling constants across double bond

Benchmark calculations of geminal and vicinal ²⁹Si–¹H spin–spin coupling constants across double bond in three reference alkenylsilanes have been carried out at both DFT and SOPPA levels in comparison with experiment. At the former, four density functionals, B3LYP, B3PW91, PBE0 and KT3, were tested in combination with five representative basis sets. At the latter, three main SOPPA‐based methods, SOPPA, SOPPA(CC2) and SOPPA(CCSD), were examined in combination with the same series of basis sets. On the whole, the wavefunction methods showed much better results as compared to DFT, with the most efficient combination of SOPPA/cc‐pVTZ‐su2 characterized by a mean absolute error of only 0.4 Hz calculated for a set of nine coupling constants in three compounds with a sample span of around 40 Hz. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Trans‐Hydrogen‐Bond Scalar Couplings as a Source of Structural Constraints in NMR of Proteins: DFT Analysis

The conformational dependences of ¹⁵N,¹⁵N and ¹H,¹⁵N trans‐H‐bond spin‐spin scalar couplings, ^h2J(N,N) and ^h1J(N,H), have been investigated by sum‐over‐states density‐functional‐perturbation theory. The distance and angular dependence of the ^h2J(N,N) and ^h1J(N,H) coupling constants in the H‐bonded arrangement between acetylethylamine and imidazole molecules were examined for a wide range of mutual orientations. These molecules were used to model a structurally important H‐bond between the amide backbone of Arg7 and the remote imidazole side chain of His106 in the 44 kDa trimeric enzyme chorismate mutase from Bacillus subtilis. The magnitude of ^h1J(N,H) is relatively insensitive to the sampled rotations around three orthogonal axes centered on the tertiary N‐atom of the imidazole, whereas values of ^h2J(N,N) demonstrated a strong dependence on the value of the cone angle θ aligned with the amide group involved in the H‐bond. Simple functional approximations have been generated, enabling back calculations of the N⋅⋅⋅N distance and angle θ of the H‐bond, provided that the experimental values of both ^h2J(N,N) and ^h1J(N,H) coupling constants are available.     

1,2‐, 1,7‐ and 1,12‐Dicarba‐closo‐dodecaborane(12) Derivatives Revisited by 13C NMR Spectroscopy and DFT Calculations. First Observation of Isotope‐Induced Chemical Shifts 1Δ10/11B(13C), and the Signs and Magnitudes of Coupling Constants 1J(13C,13C) and 1J(13C,11B)

The origin of broadening of ¹³C(carborane) NMR signals of 1,2‐, 1,7‐ and 1,12‐dicarba‐closo‐dodecaboranes(12) and several diphenylsilyl derivatives has been examined in detail and could be traced only partially to unresolved ¹³C–¹¹B spin‐spin coupling. Other contributions to the line widths arise from ¹³C–¹H dipole‐dipole interactions and, in particular, from isotope‐induced chemical shifts ¹Δ^10/11B(¹³C), observed here for carboranes for the first time. In the case of 1‐diphenylsilyl‐1,2‐dicarba‐closo‐dodecaborane(12), the coupling constant ¹J(¹³C,¹³C) = 9.3 Hz was measured in natural abundance of ¹³C. The small value of this coupling constant and its negative sign is predicted by calculations based on optimised structures [B3LYP/6‐311+G(d,p) level of theory] of the parent carboranes and 1‐silyl‐1,2‐dicarba‐closo‐dodecaborane(12) as a model compound [calcd. ¹J(¹³C,¹³C) = –10.5 Hz]. Calculated coupling constants ¹J(¹³C,¹¹B) are small (<7 Hz), in contrast to published assumptions, and of either sign, whereas ¹J(¹¹B,¹¹B) are all positive and range up to 15 Hz.     

1H and 13C NMR spectral characterization of some antimalarial in vitro 2,4‐diamino‐10‐methylpyrimido[4,5‐b]‐5‐quinolone derivatives

We report the ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR chemical shifts and J(H,H), J(H,F) and J(C,F) coupling constants of 13 2,4‐diamino‐10‐methylpyrimido[4,5‐b]‐5‐quinolone derivatives, some of them with moderate activity against Plasmodium falciparum in vitro. They were characterized and assigned on the basis of ¹H, ¹³C and ¹³C–¹H (short‐ and long‐range) correlated spectra. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Structure elucidation of [1,3]oxazolo[4,5‐e][2,1]benzisoxazole and naphtho[1,2‐d][1,3]‐ and phenanthro[9,10‐d]oxazoles using gradient selected gHMBC,gHMQC and gHMQC‐TOCSY NMR techniques

Structure elucidation of compounds in the benzisoxazole series ( 1 – 6 ) and naphtho[1,2‐d][1,3]‐ ( 7 – 10 ) and phenanthro[9,10‐d][1,3]oxazole ( 11 – 14 ) series was accomplished using extensive 2D NMR spectroscopic studies including ¹H–¹H COSY, long‐ range ¹H–¹H COSY, ¹H–¹³C COSY, gHMQC, gHMBC and gHMQC‐TOCSY experiments. The distinction between oxazole and isoxazole rings was made on the basis of the magnitude of heteronuclear one‐bond ¹J_{C2, H2} (or ¹J_{C3, H3}) coupling constants. Complete analysis of the ¹H NMR spectra of 11 – 14 was achieved by iterative calculations. Gradient selected gHMQC‐TOCSY spectra of phenanthro[9,10‐d][1,3]oxazoles 11 – 14 were obtained at different mixing times (12, 24, 36, 48 and 80 ms) to identify the spin system where the protons of phenanthrene ring at H‐5, H‐6 and at H‐9 and H‐7 and H‐8 were highly overlapping. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Investigation of two‐ and three‐bond carbon–hydrogen coupling constants in cinnamic acid based compounds

Two‐ and three‐bond coupling constants (²J_HC and ³J_HC) were determined for a series of 12 substituted cinnamic acids using a selective 2D inphase/antiphase (IPAP)‐single quantum multiple bond correlation (HSQMBC) and 1D proton coupled ¹³C NMR experiments. The coupling constants from two methods were compared and found to give very similar values. The results showed coupling constant values ranging from 1.7 to 9.7 Hz and 1.0 to 9.6 Hz for the IPAP‐HSQMBC and the direct ¹³C NMR experiments, respectively. The experimental values of the coupling constants were compared with discrete density functional theory (DFT) calculated values and were found to be in good agreement for the ³J_HC. However, the DFT method under estimated the ²J_HC coupling constants. Knowing the limitations of the measurement and calculation of these multibond coupling constants will add confidence to the assignment of conformation or stereochemical aspects of complex molecules like natural products. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.