The available data on the spectroscopy of the nitrobenzopyridines are insufficient, out-dated, and modern theory is missing. A careful study of the 'H-NMR spectra of these compounds revealed the existence of C-H-0-N=0 hydrogen bonds, the hydrogen being at peri position to the nitro group. The existence of these bonds explains the down-field shifts observed in the signals of the involved protons. Spectral data from the naphthalene series and from 1 O-NMR measurements, both involving the nitro group/per/'-hydrogen relation, confirmed our proposal.