Long-range coupling and conformation in some thienylmethylene and furfurylidene derivatives

Abstract

The p.m.r, spectra of 12 2-thienylmethylene and furfurylidene derivatives are reported. The average conformation about the Ar-CHXY bond is deduced from the magnitude of the meta (and ortho) long-range benzylic coupling constants. In thiophens, conformations in which the benzylic hydrogen is in or near the plane of the aromatic ring and anti to the ring sulphur are preferred. In furans the hydrogen-in-plane conformations are again favoured. The signs of the meta and ortho benzylic coupling constants have been determined and are positive and negative respectively with respect to the vicinal coupling constant J_3,4.