Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy. The Effect of Solvent on Magnetic Nonequivalence Arising from Molecular Asymmetry^1a

Abstract

The chemical shift between the geminal methylene protons of 1-phenylethyl benzyl ether has been measured in a variety of solvents. An approximate correlation observed between solvent dielectric constant and the degree of the magnetic nonequivalence of the methylene protons, V_A - V_B, is discussed in light of similar results for structurally related compounds. It is suggested that the variation in V_A - V_B with solvent may reflect changes in the conformation of the benzylic phenyl ring with respect to the methylene group.