Effect of aromatic ring anisotropy on the 1H NMR shielding constants and conformational equilibrium of sterically strained aryl vinyl ethers

According to the ¹H and ¹³C NMR data and quantum-chemical calculations, phenyl vinyl ether exists mainly in the s-trans conformation which is characterized by concurrent p-π* interaction of the oxygen atom with both unsaturated fragments. Introduction of two methyl groups into the ortho positions of the benzene ring forces the latter to go out from the vinyloxy group plane, leading to loss of p-π* conjugation with the aromatic ring, enhancement of p-π* conjugation with the vinyl group, and transition of the molecule to s-cis conformation. The ¹H and ¹³C NMR data indicated that replacement of both o-methyl groups by tert-butyl makes the s-cis conformer sterically overcrowded even when the aromatic ring is oriented orthogonally with respect to the vinyl group; as a result, conformational equilibrium is displaced again toward s-trans rotamer.