Abstract The pmr spectra of 15 1-substituted benzocyclobutenes (bicyclo [4, 2, 0] octa-1, 3, 5- trienes) were analysed. The effect of substituents on the NMR parameters is discussed and compared with analogous effects in other systems, especially acenaphthene which is considered a relevant model. It is concluded that substituent effects in 1-substituted benzocyclobutenes are in no way exceptional, but they appear to be less quantitatively ...