Tautomeric equilibria of 3-formylacetylacetone: low-temperature NMR spectroscopy and ab initio calculations

J Org Chem. 2009 Jul 3;74(13):4878-81. doi: 10.1021/jo9004475.

Abstract

Keto-enol tautomerization of 3-formylacetylacetone has been studied by NMR spectroscopy, ab initio, and DFT calculations in the gas phase and continuum solvation. By employing very low temperatures in a freonic solvent, tautomeric and conformational equilibria in the slow exchange regime were analyzed in detail. The beta-tricarbonyl compound always adopts a structure with an enolized keto group irrespective of an increasing dielectric constant of the solvent when lowering the temperature of the Freon mixture. This experimentally observed tautomeric distribution of 3-formylacetylacetone is correctly reproduced by continuum solvated DFT calculations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aldehydes / chemistry*
  • Cyclization
  • Formates / chemistry*
  • Gases
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy / methods
  • Models, Molecular
  • Pentanones / chemistry*
  • Solutions
  • Solvents
  • Stereoisomerism
  • Temperature

Substances

  • 3-formylacetylacetone
  • Aldehydes
  • Formates
  • Gases
  • Pentanones
  • Solutions
  • Solvents