Conformations of highly hindered aryl ethers—VIII Interannular H?F coupling in diphenyl ethers

A novel type of interannular coupling (⁶J_H,F = 1.0 to 1.3 Hz) has been observed in some fluorodinitrodiphenyl ethers between the fluorine(s) on one ring ortho to the ether linkage and a proton ortho to it on the other ring. ¹H and ¹⁹F chemical shift and coupling constant data support the previous conclusion that these ethers preferentially adopt a twist (propeller) conformation. On account of the geometrical disposition of the six bonds between the interacting nuclei and the latter's spatial proximity in this conformation, direct coupling through-space is indicated. Concerted libration around the ether bonds brings about magnetic equivalence of the o-fluoro substituents on one ring and causes equal coupling to be observed to the o-proton on the other ring. The possiblity that the coupling is mediated by an intervening π-cloud is suggested as an alternate mechanism for indirect coupling. The observed interannular transmission of spin information provides evidence in favor of a recent proposal made concerning the mode of action of the thyroid hormones.