Stereochemical studies by molecular palpation

The conformational equilibrium of cyclohexanol was investigated by Xe-129 NMR spectroscopy. While the classical NMR approach focuses on a carbon or proton atom belonging to the molecule under investigation, in our Xe-129 NMR methodology we use the xenon atom as an external spy. Xenon is able to monitor the interconversion between the axial and the equatorial isomers of cyclohexanol. The conformational equilibrium constant was estimated and is in excellent agreement with the values obtained by H-1 and C-13 NMR. Copyright (C) 2004 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.