The conformational equilibrium of trans-1,2-difluoro- (1), trans-1,2-dichloro- (2) and trans- 1,2-dibromo-cyclohexane (3) was studied through a combined method of NMR, theoretical calculations and solvation theory. The solvent dependence of the (3)J(H1,H2) NMR coupling constants together with theoretical calculations allow the direct determination of the conformational equilibria without recourse to model compounds. The coupling constants were obtained with the aid of spectrum simulation, since these symmetric molecules present complex coupling systems. The observed couplings, when analysed by solvation theory and utilising DFT geometries (B3LYP/6-311+G**), gave energy values of E-ee - E-aa of 0.10, 0.95 and 1.40 kcal mol(-1) in the vapour phase for 1, 2 and 3, respectively, decreasing to -0.63, 0.36 and 0.93 kcal mol(-1) in CCl4 and to -1.91, -0.80 and -0.05 kcal mol(-1) in DMSO solution. The diaxial preference for all compounds is explained by natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis, which shows important hyperconjugative effects in this conformation. The "gauche effect" for compounds with more electronegative substituents, which are in gauche arrangement in the ee conformation, also plays a relevant role in more polar solvents. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.61817711776