Deuterium isotope effects on 13C and 15N nuclear shielding in o-hydroxyazo dyes

Deuterium isotope effects on the ¹³C and ¹⁵N nuclear shieldings of o-hydroxyazo compounds are described. Both the direct and the equilibrium contributions were determined. Large direct deuterium isotope effects on ¹⁵N nuclear shieldings for ¹Δ, ²Δ and ⁴Δ and negative Δ¹J(¹⁵NH) D] values were observed. Isotope effects on ¹⁵N nuclear shieldings, because of their magnitudes, are shown to be very useful in determining changes in the azo–hydrazone equilibrium. Isotope effects on ¹³C nuclear shieldings are smaller, but the effects observed at the carbon resonances of the N-phenyl ring are likewise very useful in determining the shift in the equilibrium. Deuterium substitution leads in all cases to a shift in the equilibrium so that the content of the predominant form of the protio compound is increased.