An INDO-LMO and 13C NMR spectroscopic study of the C-H bonds in tetracyclo[3.2.0.02,7.04,6]heptane (quadricyclane) and tricyclo[3.1.0.02,4]hexane

Using an INDO approximation to Von Niessen's charge density localization method, the percent s character of the C atom hybrid orbitals engaged in C-H bonds is computed for a series of open-chain and cyclic saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons. A semi-empirical linear relationship is found between these quantities and the experimental nuclear spin-spin coupling constants J_CH (standard deviation 4·98 Hz). The experimental values of J_CH were measured for quadricyclane (1) and tricyclo3.1.0.0^2,4]hexane (2) and were shown to be in fair agreement with the theoretical predictions. An analogous relationship is also established between the percent s character of the involved C atom hybrid orbital and the C-H bond distance, the standard deviation being 0·0040Å. This relation is used in order to predict the different C-H bond lengths in the vibrational ground state of 1 and 2, for which equal CH distances were assumed in the analysis of electron diffraction experiments. The results indicate that molecular geometries can be refined with the use of semi-empirical correlations of the above mentioned type.