Natural J-coupling analysis: interpretation of scalar J-couplings in terms of natural bond orbitals

The natural J-coupling (NJC) method presented here analyzes the Fermi contact portion of J-coupling in the framework of finite perturbation theory applied to ab initio/density function theory (DFT) wave functions, to compute individual and pairwise orbital contributions to the net J-coupling. The approach is based on the concepts and formalisms of natural bond orbital (NBO) methods. Computed coupling contributions can be classified as Lewis (individual orbital contributions corresponding to the natural Lewis structure of the molecule), delocalization (resulting from pairwise donor-acceptor interactions), and residual repolarization (corresponding to correlation-like interactions). This approach is illustrated by an analysis of the angular and distance dependences of the contributions to vicinal (3)J(HH) couplings in ethane and to the long-range (6)J(HH) couplings in pentane. The results indicate that approximately 70% or more of the net J-coupling is propagated by steric exchange antisymmetry interactions between Lewis orbitals (predominantly sigma bonding orbitals). Hyperconjugative sigma to sigma delocalization interactions account for the remainder of the coupling. Calculated pairwise-steric and hyperconjugative-delocalization energies provide a means for relating coupling mechanisms to molecular energetics. In this way, J-coupling contributions can be related directly to the localized features of the molecular electronic structure in order to explain measured J-coupling patterns and to predict J-coupling trends that have yet to be measured.