Ab initio and AIM studies on typical π‐type and pseudo‐π‐type halogen bonds: Comparison with hydrogen bonds

Series of typical π‐type and pseudo‐π‐type halogen‐bonded complexes B ··· ClY and B ··· BrY and hydrogen‐bonded complex B ··· HY (B = C₂H₄, C₂H₂, and C₃H₆; Y = F, Cl, and Br) have been investigated using the MP2/aug‐cc‐pVDZ method. A striking parallelism was found in the geometries, vibrational frequencies, binding energies, and topological properties between B ··· XY and B ··· HY (X = Cl and Br). It has been found that the lengths of the weak bond d(X ··· π)/d(H ··· π), the frequencies of the weak bond ν(X ··· π)/ν(H ··· π), the frequency shifts Δν(X? Y)/Δν(H? Y), the electron densities at the bond critical point of the weak bonds ρ_c(X ··· π)/ρ_c(H ··· π), and the electron density changes Δρ_c(X? Y)/Δρ_c(H? Y) could be used as measures of the strengths of typical π‐type and pseudo‐π‐type halogen/hydrogen bonds. The typical π‐type and pseudo‐π‐type halogen bond and hydrogen bond are noncovalent interactions. For the same Y, the halogen bond strengths are in the order B ··· ClY < B ··· BrY. For the same X, the halogen bond strength decreases according to the sequence F > Cl > Br that is in agreement with the hydrogen bond strengths B ··· HF > B ··· HCl > B ··· HBr. All of these typical π‐type and pseudo‐π‐type hydrogen‐bonded and halogen‐bonded complexes have the “conflict‐type” structure. Contour maps of the Laplacian of π electron density indicate that the formation of B ··· XY halogen‐bonded complex and B ··· HY hydrogen‐bonded complex is very similar. Charge transfer is observed from B to XY/HY and both the dipolar polarization and the volume of the halogen atom or hydrogen atom decrease on B ··· XY/B ··· HY complex formation. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011     

Comprehensive study of the interaction between hydrogen halides and methanol derivatives

The R? CH₂? HO…H? X (R = SCl, Cl, SH, NO₂, OMe, CHO, CN, C₂H₅, CH₃, H; X = F, Cl, Br) complexes are considered here as the interest sample for the consideration of different measures of H‐bond strength. The intermolecular interaction energies are predicted by using MP2/6‐31++G(d,p) and B3LYP/6‐31++G(d,p) methods with basis set superposition error and zero‐point energy corrections. The results showed that intermolecular hydrogen bonds for complexes with HF are stronger than such interactions in complexes with HCl and HBr. Quantum theory of “Atoms in Molecules” and natural bond orbitals method were applied to analyzed H‐bond interactions. The gas phase thermodynamic properties of complexes were predicted using quantum mechanical computations. The obtained results showed a strong influence of the R and X substituents on the thermodynamic properties of complexes. Numerous correlations between topological, geometrical, thermodynamic properties and energetic parameters were also found. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Characterization of two types of intermolecular interactions on halogen monoxide monohydrates

Monohydrates of halogen monoxides ClO·H₂O and BrO·H₂O have been studied by means of DFT (B3LYP) and ab initio (MP2) correlated calculations with aug‐cc‐pVnZ basis sets ranging from triple‐ up to quintuple‐ζ. These complexes might be formed in the troposphere and stratosphere and participate in chemical reactions involved in ozone depletion. Two stable structures are found that differ in the intermolecular interaction which takes place, namely: conventional XO…HOH hydrogen bond and OX…OH₂ halogen bond. We demonstrate that both types of interactions participate in the formation of these complexes yet all the computational methods tested predict a slightly greater stability for the latter OX…O link. Both intermolecular interactions are characterized upon analyzing electron density distribution, charge transfer effects, and electron localization domains. These analyses reveal the central role played by electron redistribution. Because of this, the greater spatial extent of the electron density in Cl or Br as compared to H could be the main cause to yield a slightly greater stability for the O? X…O halogen bond with respect to the O…H? O hydrogen bond. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2009     

A comparative study of some lithium and hydrogen‐bonded complexes: Ab initio and QTAIM studies

The nature of the interactions of cyanide with lithium and hydrogen halides was investigated using ab initio calculations and topological analysis of electron density. The computed properties of the lithium‐bonded complexes RCN···LiX (R = H, F, Cl, Br, C?CH, CH?CH₂, CH₃, C₂H₅; X = Cl, Br) were compared with those of corresponding hydrogen‐bonded complexes RCN···HX. The results show that both types of intermolecular interactions are “closed‐shell” noncovalent interactions. The effect of substitution on the interaction energy and electron density at the bond critical points of the lithium and hydrogen bonding interactions is similar. In comparison, the interaction energies of lithium‐bonded complexes are more negative than those of hydrogen‐bonded counterparts. The electrostatic interaction plays a more important role in the lithium bond than in the hydrogen bond. On complex formation, the net charge and energy of the Li atom decrease and the atomic volume increases, while the net charge and energy of the H atom increase and the atomic volume decreases. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Study on the nature of interaction of BrCl with HF,H2O,and NH3

By counterpoise‐corrected optimization method, the interactions of BrCl with the first‐row hydrides (HF, H₂O, NH₃) have been investigated at the MP2/6–311++G(3d,3p) level. To understand that the X? Br‐type (X = F, O, N) structure is more stable than the corresponding hydrogen‐bonded structure in these complexes, the electronic properties were also investigated. Symmetry‐adapted perturbation theory (SAPT) analysis has been carried out to understand the nature of the weak hydrogen bond and X? Br‐type interactions. On the other hand, for the weak hydrogen‐bonded complexes and the X? Br‐type complexes charges transfer is well correlated with the total induction energies. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007     

On the Correlation between the Blue Shift of Hydrogen Bonding and the Proton Donor-Proton Acceptor Distance

It is demonstrated that in all types of hydrogen bonds (X—H…Y) there is a balance between the long-range attractive orbital interactions and short-range Pauli/nucleus repulsions. When the proton acceptor approaches the proton donor from distance, the hydrogen bonding energy becomes more negative at relatively large distance, goes through a minimum, and then starts to become less negative when the short-range repulsive forces come into effect.Meanwhile, the X--H bond length increases at relatively large distances, goes through a maximum and starts to shorten when the short-range repulsive forces come into effect. Whether the hydrogen bond is red or blue shifted is dictated by the energy minimum position. If at the energy minimum position the X—H bond length is shorter than that for the free monomer, the hydrogen bond is blue shifted and vice versa. Further studies demonstrate that the recent report about the correlation of C—H bond lengths with proton donor-acceptor distance in F3C—H…OH2 and F3C—H…Cl^- is not fully correct because the authors conducted an inappropriate comparison. Furthermore, it is shown for the first time that the Pauli/nucleus repulsion theory is applicable to the blue-shifted hydrogen bonds in the X—H…π complexes and the blue-shifted lithium bonds in the X—Li…Y complexes.     

The O···H intramolecular hydrogen bond in 4‐X‐2‐hydroxybenzaldehydes: The relationships between geometrical parameters,estimated binding energies,and NMR data

The relationships among geometrical parameters, estimated binding energies, and nuclear magnetic resonance data in –C?O···H? O? intramolecular H‐bond of some substituted 2‐hydroxybenzaldehyde have theoretically been studied by B3LYP and MP2 methods with 6‐311++G** and AUG‐cc‐PVTZ basis sets. All substituents increase estimated hydrogen bond energies E_HBs (with the exception of NO₂ and C₂H₅), which are in good correlation with geometrical parameters, topological properties of electron density calculated at O···H bond critical points and ring critical points by using atoms in molecules method, the results of natural bond orbital analysis, and calculated nuclear magnetic resonance data. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010     

Hydrogen bond and σ‐hole interaction in M2C=S···HCN (M = H,F, Cl,Br, HO,H3C,H2N) complex: Dual roles of C=S group and substitution effect

An ab initio computational study of the dual functions of C?S group in the M₂C?S ··· HCN (M = H, F, Cl, Br, HO, H₃C, H₂N) complex has been performed at the MP2(Full)/aug‐cc‐pVTZ level. The C?S group can act as both the electron donor and acceptor, thus two minima complexes were found for each molecular pairs. The interaction energy of hydrogen bond in the F, Cl, or Br substituted complexes is less negative than that in the corresponding H₂CS one, while the interaction energy of the σ‐hole interaction is more negative. The OH substitution weakens the hydrogen bond, whereas the H₃C and H₂N substitution strengthens it. The σ‐hole interaction in the HO, H₃C, and H₂N complexes is very weak. The substitution effect has been understood with electrostatic induction and conjugation effects. The energy decomposition analysis has been performed for the halogen‐substituted complexes. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2012.     

An insight into CH···N hydrogen bond and stability of the complexes formed by trihalomethanes with ammonia and its monohalogenated derivatives

A theoretical study of the C?H···N hydrogen bond in the interactions of trihalomethanes CHX₃ (X = F, Cl, Br) with ammonia and its halogen derivatives NH₂Y (Y = F, Cl, Br) has been carried out thoroughly. The complexes are quite stable, and their stability increases in going from CHF₃ to CHCl₃ then to CHBr₃ when Y keeps unchanged. With the same CHX₃ proton donor, enhancement of the gas phase basicity of NH₂Y strengthens stability of the CHX₃···NH₂Y complex. The C?H···N hydrogen bond strength is directly proportional to the increase of proton affinity (PA) at N site of NH₂Y and the decrease of deprotonation enthalpy (DPE) of C?H bond in CHX₃. The CHF₃ primarily appears to favor blue shift while the red‐shift is referred to the CHBr₃. The blue‐ or red‐shift of CHCl₃ strongly depends on PA at N site of NH₂Y. We suggest the ratio of DPE/PA as a factor to predict which type of hydrogen bond is observed upon complexation. The SAPT2+ results show that all C?H···N interactions in the complexes are electrostatically driven regardless of the type of hydrogen bond, between 48% and 61% of the total attractive energy, and partly contributed by both induction and dispersion energies.     

Assessment of intermolecular interactions at three sites of the arylalkyne in phenylacetylene‐containing lithium‐bonded complexes: Ab initio and QTAIM studies

The intermolecular interactions existing at three different sites between phenylacetylene and LiX (X = OH, NH₂, F, Cl, Br, CN, NC) have been investigated by means of second‐order Møller?Plesset perturbation theory (MP2) calculations and quantum theory of “atoms in molecules” (QTAIM) studies. At each site, the lithium‐bonding interactions with electron‐withdrawing groups (? F, ? Cl, ? Br, ? CN, ? NC) were found to be stronger than those with electron‐donating groups (? OH and ? NH₂). Molecular graphs of C₆H₅C?CH···LiF and πC₆H₅C?CH···LiF show the same connectional positions, and the electron densities at the lithium bond critical points (BCPs) of the πC₆H₅C?CH···LiF complexes are distinctly higher than those of the σC₆H₅C?CH···LiF complexes, indicating that the intermolecular interactions in the C₆H₅C?CH···LiX complexes can be mainly attributed to the π‐type interaction. QTAIM studies have shown that these lithium‐bond interactions display the characteristics of “closed‐shell” noncovalent interactions, and the molecular formation density difference indicates that electron transfer plays an important role in the formation of the lithium bond. For each site, linear relationships have been found between the topological properties at the BCP (the electron density ρ_b, its Laplacian ?²ρ_b, and the eigenvalue λ₃ of the Hessian matrix) and the lithium bond length d(Li‐bond). The shorter the lithium bond length d(Li‐bond), the larger ρ_b, and the stronger the π···Li bond. The shorter d(Li‐bond), the larger ?²ρ_b, and the greater the electrostatic character of the π···Li bond. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Intermolecular interactions in uracil–nitrous acid complexes: structures,binding energy,topological properties,and nuclear magnetic resonance study

Molecular interactions between uracil and nitrous acid (U–NA) [C₄N₂O₂H₄? NO₂H] have been studied using B3LYP, B3PW91, and MP2 methods with different basis sets. The optimized geometries, harmonic vibrational frequencies, charge transfer, topological properties of electron density, nucleus‐independent chemical shift (NICS), and nuclear magnetic resonance one‐ and two‐bonds spin–spin coupling constants were calculated for U–NA complexes. In interaction between U and NA, eight cyclic complexes were obtained with two intermolecular hydrogen bonds N(C)HU…N(O) and OH_NA…O_U. In these complexes, uracil (U) simultaneously acts as proton acceptor and proton donor. The most stable complexes labeled, UNA1 and UNA2, are formed via NH bond of U with highest acidity and CO group of U with lowest proton affinity. There is a relationship between hydrogen bond distances and the corresponding frequency shifts. The solvent effect on complexes stability was examined using B3LYP method with the aug‐cc‐pVDZ basis set by applying the polarizable continuum model (PCM). The binding energies in the gas phase have also been compared with solvation energies computed using the PCM. Natural bond orbital analysis shows that in all complexes, the charge transfer takes place from U to NA. The results predict that the Lone Pair (LP)(O)_U → σ*(O? H) and LP(N(O)_NA → σ*(N(C)? H)_U donor–acceptor interactions are most important interactions in these complexes. Atom in molecule analysis confirms that hydrogen bond contacts are electrostatic in nature and covalent nature of proton donor groups decreases upon complexation. The relationship between spin–spin coupling constant (^1hJ_H…_Y and ^2hJ_H…_Y) with interaction energy and electronic density at corresponding hydrogen bond critical points and H‐bonds distances are investigated. NICS used for indicating of aromaticity of U ring upon complexation. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

An insight into C?H···N hydrogen bond and stability of the complexes formed by trihalomethanes with ammonia and its monohalogenated derivatives

A theoretical study of the C? H···N hydrogen bond in the interactions of trihalomethanes CHX₃ (X = F, Cl, Br) with ammonia and its halogen derivatives NH₂Y (Y = F, Cl, Br) has been carried out thoroughly. The complexes are quite stable, and their stability increases in going from CHF₃ to CHCl₃ then to CHBr₃ when Y keeps unchanged. With the same CHX₃ proton donor, enhancement of the gas phase basicity of NH₂Y strengthens stability of the CHX₃···NH₂Y complex. The C? H···N hydrogen bond strength is directly proportional to the increase of proton affinity (PA) at N site of NH₂Y and the decrease of deprotonation enthalpy (DPE) of C? H bond in CHX₃. The CHF₃ primarily appears to favor blue shift while the red‐shift is referred to the CHBr₃. The blue‐ or red‐shift of CHCl₃ strongly depends on PA at N site of NH₂Y. We suggest the ratio of DPE/PA as a factor to predict which type of hydrogen bond is observed upon complexation. The SAPT2+ results show that all C? H···N interactions in the complexes are electrostatically driven regardless of the type of hydrogen bond, between 48% and 61% of the total attractive energy, and partly contributed by both induction and dispersion energies.     

Theoretical Study on the Hydrogen Bonding Interactions in Complexes of 5‐Hydroxytryptamine with Water

The energies, geometries and harmonic vibrational frequencies of 1:1 5‐hydroxytryptamine‐water (5‐HT‐H₂O) complexes are studied at the MP2/6‐311++G(d,p) level. Natural bond orbital (NBO), quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) analyses and the localized molecular orbital energy decomposition analysis (LMO‐EDA) were performed to explore the nature of the hydrogen‐bonding interactions in these complexes. Various types of hydrogen bonds (H‐bonds) are formed in these 5‐HT‐H₂O complexes. The intermolecular C4H5^5‐HT···O^w H‐bond in HTW3 is strengthened due to the cooperativity, whereas no such cooperativity is found in the other 5‐HT‐H₂O complexes. H‐bond in which nitrogen atom of amino in 5‐HT acted as proton donors was stronger than other H‐bonds. Our researches show that the hydrogen bonding interaction plays a vital role on the relative stabilities of 5‐HT‐H₂O complexes.     

Development of eclipsed and staggered forms in some hydrogen bonded complexes

Intermolecular hydrogen bonding in X₃CH···NH₃ (X = H, F, Cl, and Br) complexes has been studied by B3LYP, B3PW91, MP2, MP3, MP4, and CCSD methods using 6‐311++G(d,p) and AUG‐cc‐PVTZ basis sets. These complexes could exist in both eclipsed (EC) and staggered (ST) forms. The differences between binding energies of EC and ST forms are negligible and all EC and ST shapes correspond to minimum stationary states. The order of stabilities of them is in an agreement with the results of atoms in molecules (AIM) and natural bond orbital (NBO) analyses. On the basis of low differences between binding energies, ST forms are more stable than EC forms in all complexes with the exception of Br₃CH···NH₃, which behaves just opposite. Although the differences between binding energies are negligible, they are consistent with the results of AIM analysis. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009     

Theoretical study of the effects of substitution,solvation, and structure on the interaction between nitriles and methanol

We report an investigation on intermolecular interactions in R? CN ··· H? OCH₃ (R = H, CH₃, F, Cl, NO₂, OH, SH, SCH₃, CHO, COCH₃, CH₂Cl, CH₂F, CH₂OH, CH₂COOH, CF₃, SCOCH₃, SCF₃, OCHF₂, CH₂CF₃, CH₂OCH₃, and CH₂CH₂OH) complexes using density functional theory. The calculations were conducted on B3LYP/6‐311++G** level of theory for optimization of geometries of complexes and monomers. An improper hydrogen bonding (HB) in the H₃CO? H ··· NC? R complexes was observed in that N atom of the nitriles functions acts as a proton acceptor. Furthermore, quantum theory of “Atoms in Molecules” (AIM) and natural bond orbital (NBO) method were applied to analyze H‐bond interactions in respective complexes. The electron density (ρ) and Laplacian (?²ρ) properties, estimated by atoms in molecules calculations, indicate that H ··· N bond possesses low ρ and positive ?²ρ values, which are in agreement with partially covalent character of the HBs, whereas O? H bonds have negative ?²ρ values. In addition, the weak intermolecular force due to dipole–dipole interaction (U) is also considered for analysis. The examination of HB in these complexes by quantum theory of NBO method fairly supports the ab initio results. Natural population analysis data, the electron density, and Laplacian properties, as well as, the ν(O? H) and γ(O? H) frequencies of complexes, calculated at the B3LYP/6‐311++G** level of theory, are used to evaluate the HB interactions. The calculated geometrical parameters and conformational analysis in water phase solution show that the H₃CO? H ··· NC? R complexes in water are more stable than that in gas phase. The obtained results demonstrated a strong influence of the R substituent on the properties of complexes. Numerous correlations between topological, geometrical, thermodynamic properties, and energetic parameters were also found. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2012     

Theoretical study on the interlay of hydrogen bonds in the trimers involving HCN and water

In this study, the hydration of hydrogen cyanide (HCN) has been investigated by means of quantum chemical ab initio calculations at the MP2/6‐311++G(3df,2p) level. Various HCN· · ·( H₂O)₂ and (HCN)₂· · ·H₂O complexes were optimized. Geometrics and energetics in these complexes have been analyzed. The hydration of the H atom leads to an elongation of the N?C and C? H bonds, whereas the hydration of the N atom results in a contraction of the N?C bond and a little elongation of the C? H bond. The interaction energy between each molecule pair in the trimers (except in HCN? H₂O? H₂O trimer) is increased relative to that in the respective dimer. The cooperativity of hydrogen bond in HCN? H₂O? H₂O trimer plays a negative contribution to the total interaction energy of the complex, whereas that in the other trimers is a positive contribution. Geometry and energy in H₂O? H₂OO? HCN? H₂O tetramer have also been analyzed. The binding energies in the trimers and tetramer have been studied by means of many‐body interaction analysis. The mechanism of HCN hydration was suggested. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009     

Remarkable shifts of Csp2-H and O-H stretching frequencies and stability of complexes of formic acid with formaldehydes and thioformaldehydes

Thirty-six stable complexes of formic acid with formaldehydes and thioformaldehydes were determined on the potential energy surface, in which the XCHO···HCOOH complexes are found to be more stable than the XCHS···HCOOH counterparts, with X = H, F, Cl, Br, CH₃, NH₂. All complexes are stabilized by hydrogen bonds, and their contribution to the total stabilization energy of the complexes increases in going from C-H···S to C-H···O to O-H···S and finally to O-H···O. Remarkably, a significant blueshift of C_sp2-H bond by 81–96 cm⁻¹ in the C_sp2-H···O hydrogen bond has hardly ever been reported, and a considerable redshift of O-H stretching frequency by 206–544 cm⁻¹ in the O-H···O/S hydrogen bonds is also predicted. The obtained results in our present work and previous literatures support that a distance contraction and a stretching frequency blueshift of C-H bond involving hydrogen bond depend mainly on its polarity and gas phase basicity of proton acceptor, besides the rearrangement of electron density due to complex formation. Markedly, we suggest the ratio of deprotonation enthalpy to proton affinity (R _c) as an indicator to prospect for classification of hydrogen bonds. The symmetry adapted perturbation theory results show a larger role of attractive electrostatic term in XO-n as compared to that in XS-n and the electrostatic interaction is overwhelming dispersion or induction counterparts in stabilizing XO-n and XS-n , with n = 1, 2, 3. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Cooperative effect between pnicogen bond and hydrogen bond interactions in typical X…AsH2F…HF complexes (X = NR3, PR3 and OR2; R = CH3, H,F)

Abstract

Ab initio MP2/aug-cc-pVDZ calculations have been carried out to study the effect of F???H···F hydrogen bonds on the As···X pnicogen bond in X…AsH₂F…HF complexes (X?=?NR₃, PR₃ and OR₂; R?=?CH₃, H, F). The formation of F???H···F hydrogen bonds leads to shortening of the As···X distances and strengthening of the As···X interactions. The decrease of the pnicogen bond distance in the complexes is cost of electron-giving of X molecule that increased in the order R?=?CH₃?>?H?>?F for R substituents on X molecule. These effects are studied in the relationships of the structural characteristics, energetic, charge-transfer and electron density assets of the complexes. A satisfactory cooperative effect, with values that ranged between ?0.10 and ?3.98?kcal/mole, is found in the complexes.     

A novel single‐electron sodium bond system of H3C···Na?Y (YH,OH, F,CCH, CN,and NC)

A novel single‐electron sodium bond system of H₃C···Na? H (I), H₃C···Na? OH(II), H₃C···Na? F(III), H₃C···Na‐CCH(IV), H₃C···Na? CN (V) and H₃C···Na? NC (VI) complexes has been studied by using MP2/6‐311++G** and MP2/aug‐cc‐pVTZ methods for the first time. We demonstrated that the single‐electron sodium bond H₃C···Na? Y formed between H₃C and Na? Y (Y?H, OH, F, CCH, CN, and NC) could induce the Na? Y increased and stretching frequencies of I–IV and VI are red‐shifted, including the Na? N bond in complex V is blue‐shifted abnormally. The interaction energies are calculated at two levels of theory [MP2, CCSD(T)] with different basis. The results shows that the strength of binding bond in group 2 (IV–VI) with π electrons are stronger than that of group 1 (I–III) without π electrons. For all complexes, the main orbital interactions between moieties H₃C and Na? Y are LP₁(C)→LP*₁(Na). By comparisons with some related systems, it is concluded that the strength of single‐electron bond is increased in the order: hydrogen bond < bromine bond < sodium bond < lithium bond. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011     

Theoretical study of bifurcated hydrogen bonding effects on the 1J(N,H), 1hJ(N,H), 2hJ(N,N) couplings and 1H, 15N shieldings in model pyrroles

According to the density functional theory calculations, the X···H···N (X?N, O) intramolecular bifurcated (three‐centered) hydrogen bond with one hydrogen donor and two hydrogen acceptors causes a significant decrease of the ^1hJ(N,H) and ^2hJ(N,N) coupling constants across the N? H···N hydrogen bond and an increase of the ¹J(N,H) coupling constant across the N? H covalent bond in the 2,5‐disubsituted pyrroles. This occurs due to a weakening of the N? H···N hydrogen bridge resulting in a lengthening of the N···H distance and a decrease of the hydrogen bond angle at the bifurcated hydrogen bond formation. The gauge‐independent atomic orbital calculations of the shielding constants suggest that a weakening of the N? H···N hydrogen bridge in case of the three‐centered hydrogen bond yields a shielding of the bridge proton and deshielding of the acceptor nitrogen atom. The atoms‐in‐molecules analysis shows that an attenuation of the ^1hJ(N,H) and ^2hJ(N,N) couplings in the compounds with bifurcated hydrogen bond is connected with a decrease of the electron density ρ_H···N at the hydrogen bond critical point and Laplacian of this electron density ?²ρ_H···N. The natural bond orbital analysis suggests that the additional N? H···X interaction partly inhibits the charge transfer from the nitrogen lone pair to the σ*_{N? H} antibonding orbital across hydrogen bond weakening of the ^1hJ(N,H) and ^2hJ(N,N) trans‐hydrogen bond couplings through Fermi‐contact mechanism. An increase of the nitrogen s‐character percentage of the N? H bond in consequence of the bifurcated hydrogen bonding leads to an increase of the ¹J(N,H) coupling constant across the N? H covalent bond and deshielding of the hydrogen donor nitrogen atom. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.