CHUM. Can. J. Chem. 54, 3666 (1976). The proton magnetic resonance spectra in the absence of inter~nolecular proton exchange for 0.27, 0.59, and 0.79 1l4 solutions of phenol in CC14 are analyzed. The long-range coupling over five bonds between the hydroxyl and ring protons is estimated as 0.33 Hz in the monomer and as 0.20 Hz in the trimer of a monorner-trimer model. Support for the decrease in the coupling 011 trilnerization is found in CNDO/2 and INDO MO FPT calculations. The long-range coupling over six bonds is unobservable, consistent with conformations of the trimer in which the phenol molecules remain planar. Water catalyzes the intermolecular proton exchange and, in its absence, the transfer of hydroxyl protons from ~nolecule to molecule within the associated species is inefficient. TED SCHAEFER, J. B. ROWBOTHAM et KALVIN CHUM. Can. J. Chem. 54, 3666 (1976). The ring proton resonance spectrum of phenol dissolved in CC14 was first analyzed precisely by Castellano et crl. (1). Long-range spin-spin couplings between the hydroxyl proton and the ring protons were not observed, no doubt because of relatively rapid intermo!ecular proton exchange. Such coupling constants are easily observed when strong intramolecular hydrogen bonding to carbonyl or nitro groups exists (2-4). More recently, stereospecific long-range couplings involving the hydroxyl proton have been used to deduce the relative strengths of intramolecular hydrogen bonds to halogen substituents (4-6).In this paper experiments are described which succeed in reducing the rate of intermolecular hydroxyl proton exchange in CCI4 solutions of phenol to the extent that long-range couplings to the ring protons become observable. Self association of phenol in CC14 has been extensively investigated (7-111, so that the present [Research assoclate. summer 1975. coupling data throw some light on the conformation of the phenol molecule in the associated state and on the perturbation of the couplings caused by self association. Some inferences about the mechanism of proton exchange in nonaqueous solutions are also made.
ExperimentalThe assumption that water catalyzes the intermolecular proton exchange in CC14 solution dictated the method of sample preparation. Zone refined phenol from Aldrich Chemical Co., rated at 99.9(+)',; purity, with an mp of 40.68 C, and CC14 from Fisher, containing 0.02', of water (certified A.C.S.), were used in the following procedure.Sample tubes, stopcock attachments for purposes of degassing by the freeze-pump-thaw technique, pipettes containing small wads of white Kleenex tissue, and 5 ml vials containing molecular sieve, were kept in beakers on a hot plate in a dry box. The temperature at the bottom of the beaker ranged from 180 to 210-C. After 3 days ~~n d e r these conditions, solutions of phenol in CC14, containing a littlc tetramethylsilane and prepared on a balance outside the dry box. were added to the vials containing the rnolec~rlar sieve. These vials were stoppered and left for a day in the dry box, well away from the ho...