17O nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic study of substituted phthalic anhydrides and phthalides

Abstract

17O chemical shift data (natural abundance) for 3-substituted phthalic anhydrides and 4- and 7-substituted phthalides in acetonitrile at 75 °C are reported. Steric interactions of substituents ortho to the carbonyl groups result in deshielding effects (9–22 ppm) relative to parent compounds regardless of the electronic character of the substituents. Factors contributing to the deshielding effects are discussed. The relationship between 17O chemical shifts and regiochemistry of the phthalic anhydrides is discussed.