Quantum chemical predictions concerning two unknown “mesoionic” compounds

The Pariser-Parr-Pople approximation was used to predict the properties of compounds I, 3-oxo-2H-1,2,3-triazolo[3,4-a]pyridine, and II, 3-oxoisoxazolo[2,3-a]pyridine, originated by joining a pyridine ring to two sydnone-like heterocyclic systems not yet reported in the literature. A parallel computation was carried out for two known compounds of similar structure, to give the predictions a better reliability through the comparison with observed spectral data and chemical behaviour. Compound I is expected to be stable, with an absorption spectrum similar to III, 2-oxo-1,3,4-oxadiazolo[4,5-a]pyridine, and chemical properties analogous to IV, 1-methyl-3-oxo-1,2,4-triazolo-[4,3-a]pyridine. A reaction path is suggested for obtaining from I the unknown isomeric structure V, 3-oxo-1H-1,2,3-triazolo[3,4-a]pyridine. Compound II is predicted as an unstable orange-red substance which should be handled and kept at low temperatures.