Ab initio equation of motion coupled cluster singles and doubles (EOM-CCSD) and second-order polarization propagator approximation (SOPPA) calculations have been performed to evaluate spin-spin coupling constants for FCCF (difluoroethyne). The computed EOM-CCSD value of (3)J(F-F) obtained at the experimental geometry of this molecule supports the previously reported experimental value of 2.1 Hz, thereby resolving an apparent discrepancy between theory and experiment. This coupling constant exhibits a strong dependence on the C-C and C-F distances, and its small positive value results from a sensitive balance of paramagnetic spin-orbit (PSO) and spin-dipole (SD) terms. The three other unique FCCF coupling constants (1)J(C-C), (1)J(C-F), and (2)J(C-F) have also been reported and compared with experimental data. While (1)J(C-F) is in agreement with experiment, the computed value of (2)J(C-F) is larger than our estimate of the experimental coupling constant.
2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.