Tautomerism and 1H and 13C NMR assignment of methyl derivatives of 9-hydroxyphenalenone

9-Hydroxyphenalenone is a planar multicyclic beta-keto-enol that demonstrates C2V symmetry on the NMR timescale. Off-axis substitution breaks the molecular symmetry and results in tautomers. 1H and 13C NMR assignments were made for 9-hydroxyphenalenone and three methyl derivatives, and the solution-phase tautomers were determined.