One-bond spin-spin coupling constants of X-1H proton donors in complexes with X-H-Y hydrogen bonds, for X = 13C, 15N, 17O, and 19F: predictions, comparisons, and relationships among 1J X-H, 1K X-H, and X-H distances.

Ab initio calculations at the equation-of-motion coupled cluster (EOM-CCSD) level of theory have been carried out to investigate one-bond (13)C-(1)H, (15)N-(1)H, (17)O-(1)H, and (19)F-(1)H coupling constants in a systematic study of monomers and hydrogen-bonded complexes. Computed coupling constants ((1)J(X-H)) for monomers are in good agreement with available experimental data. All reduced Fermi-contact terms and reduced coupling constants ((1)K(X-H)) for monomers and complexes are positive. Plots of (1)K(X-H) versus the X-H distance for the 16 monomers and the 64 complexes in which these monomers are proton donors exhibit significant scatter. However, a linear relationship has been demonstrated for the first time between coupling constants and X-H distances for different X atoms by plotting the ratios of the coupling constants for complexes and corresponding monomers versus the ratios of distances for complexes and corresponding monomers times the square of the Pauling electronegativity. Since the ratio removes the dependence of coupling constants on the magnetogyric ratios of X, this relationship holds for both (1)K(X-H) and (1)J(X-H). The decrease in reduced coupling constants ((1)K(X-H)) as the X-H distance increases is due primarily to the increased proton-shared character of the hydrogen bond.