Interbenzylic 19F,19F spin-spin coupling constants in bis(fluoromethyl) arenes

Five- to eleven-bond F,F spin coupling is observed in bis(fluoromethyl)arenes. According to INDO MO calculations, these couplings are transmitted mainly via the aromatic π-system. The low preference of 1,4-(CH₂F)₂-benzene for the conformation in which the C? F bonds are perpendicular to the aromatic ring is shown by the strong increase of⁷J(FF) upon double ortho-substitution.