Elektronendonator-Akzeptor-Komplexe von Diazonium-Ionen und die Struktur von stabilisierten Diazonium-Salzen. 20. Mitteilung zur Kenntnis der Azokupplungsreaktion

1. In 0.1N HCl/H₂O, o- and p-nitrobenzenediazonium ions rapidly form a complex with 2-naphthol-6, 8-disulphonic acid anions. Visible and NMR, spectra show that it has the structure of a charge-transfer complex (π-complex). The latter is probably an intermediate in the electrophilic aromatic substitution (diazo coupling reaction). 2. Diazonium ions form charge-transfer complexes with naphthalene, 1-methylnaphthalene, naphthalene-1-sulphonic acid, 1-naphthyl-methanesulphonic acid and also 2-naphthol-1-sulphonic acid. The equilibrium constants of all these complexes have been determined. 3. The stabilisation of diazonium salts by arylsulphonic acids with regard to decomposition is due to charge-transfer complex formation and not to formation of diazosulphonates as assumed by former investigators. The sulphonic group is not essential for the stabilisation. 4. Charge-transfer complex formation decreases the electrophilicity of the diazonium ion (rate of diazo coupling reaction) only slightly.     

Slow proton transfer to coordinated carboxylates: studies on [Ni(O2CR){PhP(CH2CH2PPh2)2}]+ (R = Et or Ph)

The reactions between [Ni(O₂CR)(triphos)]⁺ (R = Et or Ph, triphos = PhP(CH₂CH₂PPh₂)₂) and mixtures of lutH⁺ and lut (lut = 2,6-dimethylpyridine) have been studied in MeCN at 25.0 °C using stopped-flow spectrophotometry. The kinetics and spectroscopic changes indicate an equilibrium reaction, presumably involving protonation of an oxygen site (the only sites on the complex containing lone pairs of electrons). Proton transfer is slow and comparison of the kinetic data shows that the rates are insensitive to the R substituent. Using the kinetic data, the pK_as of [Ni(HO₂CR)(triphos)]²⁺ (pK_a = 14.5) have been calculated showing that when coordinated to the {Ni(triphos)}²⁺ site, RCO₂H is about 8 pK_a units more acidic than the free acid. Comparison of the kinetic results on the reactions of [Ni(O₂CR)(triphos)]⁺ with mixtures of lutH⁺ and lut and those of the analogous [Ni(S₂CR)(triphos)]⁺ show that protonation at oxygen is at least 7.6 × 10³ times faster than to sulfur, and the coordinated carboxylic acid is ca. 8 pK_a units less acidic than the corresponding coordinated carboxydithioic acid.     

Negative influence of pKa on activation energy barrier: A case study for double proton transfer reaction in inorganic acid dimers

Strength of acid can be determined by means of pK_a value. Attempts have been made to find a relationship between pK_a and activation energy barrier for a double proton transfer (DPT) reaction in inorganic acid dimers. Negative influence of pK_a is observed on activation energy (E_a) which is contrary to the general convention of pK_a. Four different levels of theories with two different basis sets have been used to calculate the activation energy barrier of the DPT reaction in inorganic acid dimers. A model based on first and second order polynomial has been created to find the relationship between activation energy for DPT reaction. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Spectrophotometric Studies on Ferron and Thorium (IV)-Ferron Chelate

The ionization constants of ferron (7-iodo-8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulphonic acid) and the interaction between Th(IV) and ferron have been studied spectrophotometrically at 25° and ionic strength of 0.1. The ionization constants were found to be pK₁=2.41±0.01, pK₂=7.10±0.01. The Th(IV)-ferron chelate in aqueous solution of pH 5.0 exhibited a characteristic absorption maximum at 365 mμ. The composition of Th(IV)-ferron chelate was 1:4 mole ratio of Th(IV) ion and ferron, and the stability constant (log K_g) was 26.22±0.16.     

Azidinium-Salze. 25. Mitteilung. Symmetrische Azopyridinon-Farbsalze: Synthese,spektrophotometrische und acidobasische Eigenschaften,Metallkomplex-Bildung und kinetische Untersuchung der Azo-Kupplung

Symmetrical Azopyridinone Dyes: Synthesis, Spectrophotometrical and Acidobasic Properties, Metal-Complex Formation and Kinetical Investigation of the Azo-Dye Formation The 13 substituted symmetrical azopyridinone dyes 2a–n were synthesized and their VIS spectra measured. The pK*_a values of some dyes and of pyridinone coupling components were determined in MeOH/H₂O 64:36. The metal-complex formation of the dyes with Cd²⁺, Zn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Cu²⁺ was investigated, and complex-formation constants of the 1:1 complexes were determined in H₂O for 2k (Table 2) and in dimethylformamide/H₂O 1:1 for some other azopyridinone dyes (Table 3). The mechanism of the azo-dye formation was investigated and found to be much more complicated than expected. A mechanism of the coupling reaction was developed (see Scheme 4) and fitted by least-squares calculations.     

Azocalixarenes. 6: Synthesis, complexation, extraction and thermal behaviour of four new azocalix[4]arenes

Four new azocalix[4]arenes {5,11,17,23-tetrakis[(2-hydroxy-5-tert-butylphenylazo)]-25,26,27,28-tetrahydroxycalix[4]arene (1), 5,11,17,23-tetrakis[(2-hydroxy-5-nitro phenylazo)]-25,26,27,28-tetrahydroxycalix[4]arene (2), 5,11,17,23-tetrakis[(2-amino-5-carboxylphenylazo)]-25,26,27,28-tetrahydroxycalix[4]arene (3) and 5,11,17,23-tetrakis[(1-amino-2-hydroxy-4-sulfonicacidnapthylazo)]-25,26,27,28-tetrahydroxycalix[4]arene (4)} have been synthesized from p-tert-butylphenol, p-nitrophenol, p-aminobenzoic acid and 1-amino-2-hydroxy-4-sulphonic acid by diazo coupling reaction with p-aminocalix[4]arene. The resulting ligands (1–4) were treated with three transition metal salts (e.g., CuCl₂·2H₂O, NiCl₂·6H₂O or CoCl₂·6H₂O). Cu(II), Ni(II) and Co(II) complexes of the azocalix[4]arene derivatives were obtained and characterized by UV-vis, IR, ¹H-NMR spectroscopic techniques and elemental analysis. All the complexes have a metal:ligand ratio of 2:1. The Cu(II) and Ni(II) complexes of azocalix[4]arenes are square-planar, while the Co(II) complexes of azocalix[4]arenes are octahedral with water molecules as axial ligands. The solvent extraction of various transition metal cations from the aqueous phase to the organic phase was carried out by using azocalix[4]arenes (1–4). It was found that, azocalix[4]arenes 1, 2 and 3 examined selectivity for transition metal cations such as Ag⁺, Hg⁺ and Hg²⁺. In addition, the thermal stability of metal:azocalix[4]arene complexes were also reported. Dedicated to Prof. Dr. Mustafa Yılmaz on the occasion of his 50th birthday     

Protolytic properties and complexation with copper(II) ions of some azo derivatives of β-arylaminopropionic acids

The azo coupling reaction of N-(2-carboxyethyl)anthranilic acid and N,N,N′,N′-tetrabis(2-carboxyethyl)-1,3-phenylenediamine with diazosulfanilic acid yielded the complexones sodium 4-N-(2-carboxyethyl)amino-5-carboxyazobenzene-4′-sulfonate (I) and 2,4-N,N,N′,N′-tetrabis(2-carboxyethyl)diaminoazobenzene-4′-sulfonic acid (II), respectively. The acidity constants of I and II (20°C, μ = 0.1M KCl) were determined to be as follows: for I, pK ₀₀ = 1.29 ± 0.13, pK ₀ = 2.92 ± 0.07, pK ₁ = 3.92 ± 0.05, pK ₂ = 5.16 ± 0.03; for II, pK ₀₀ = 2.35 ± 0.06, pK ₀ = 2.81 ± 0.09, pK ₁ = 3.21 ± 0.11, pK ₂ = 3.81 ± 0.09, pK ₃ = 4.34 ± 0.04, pK ₄ = 5.03 ± 0.06, pK ₅ = 6.67 ± 0.07. The electronic absorption spectra of I and II were measured, and acid-base equilibrium scheme for I and II in aqueous solutions were suggested. The complexation constants of I and II with copper(II) ions were determined to be logK _CuQ^I= 5.47 ± 0.06 and logK _CuQ^II= 5.72 ± 0.13 (20°C, μ = 0.1 M KCl).     

Complexation equilibria and spectrophotometric determination of zinc (II) with 2-(4′-methyl-2′-thiazolylazo)-4,6-dimethylphenol

2-(4′-methyl-2′-thiazolylazo)-4,6-dimethylphenol has been synthesized and its acid—base behaviour (pK_a1=0.03 ± 0.01, pK_a2=9.70±0.09) and complexation equilibria with zinc (logβ₁₀₁=6.70±0.04, logβ₁₀₂ = 13.70±0.02) studied in a 40% (v / v) ethanol—water medium at I=0.25 M NaClO₄. A spectrophotometric method for the determination of 0.2–1.5 ppm of zinc has been developed (ε=1.83 × 10⁴ 1. mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹ at 590 nm) and applied to its determination in lubricating oils.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of 7,8-Dihydroquinolino[2,3-a]acridine Derivatives

Novel 9-amino-3-substituted-1,2,3,4-acridin-1-one derivatives and 9,14-diamino-7-substituted-7,8-dihydroquinolino[2,3-a]acridine derivatives were synthesized by the condensation reaction of 5-substituted-1,3-cyclohexanedione with 2-aminobenzonitrile and substituted 2-aminobenzonitrile using p-toluenesulfonic acid, K₂CO₃, and Cu₂Cl₂ as catalysts. The structures of all compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, infrared, mass spectrometry, and ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra. The crystal and molecular structures of 6, 14-diamino-3,4,11,12-tetramethoxy-7-phenyl-7,8-dihydroquinolino[2,3-a]acridine 5a have been determined by single-crystal x-ray diffraction analysis. The crystal of compound 5a belongs to triclinic with space group P-1, a = 1.06168(15) nm, b = 1.16951(17) nm, c = 1.6020(2) nm, α = 71.380(3)°, β = 77.686(3)°, γ = 66.743(3)°, Z = 2, V = 1.7231(4) nm³, R ₁ = 0.1060, and wR ₂ = 0.2192.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the oxidation of a heterocyclic thioamide by silver(II)-cyclam

The kinetics of the oxidation of 4,6-dimethyl-2-mercaptopyrimidine (DMP) by Ag(cyclam)²⁺ were studied in buffer solutions from pH 5.8 to 7.2 at constant ionic strength of 0.10?M?(NaClO₄). The reaction is observed to be first-order with respect to [Ag(cyclam)²⁺] and to [DMP]. However, the reaction rate is affected by the pH of the solution owing to the acid–base equilibrium of the thiol. The mechanism postulated to account for the kinetics includes an acid–base equilibrium and oxidation of thiol (RSH) and thiolate ion (RS^?) by Ag(cyclam)²⁺ to RS^· radicals which undergo rapid dimerization to form disulfide (RSSR). From the postulated mechanism and the observed kinetics a rate expression was derived, and second-order rate constants and activation parameters were calculated. The pK _a values of the acid dissociation reaction of DMP were also determined at four temperatures using spectrophotometric methods, and thermodynamic parameters calculated from the K _a values.     

Photochemical Reaction Mechanisms of 2‐Nitrobenzyl Compounds in Solution,I. 2‐Nitrotoluene: Thermodynamic and Kinetic Parameters of the aci‐Nitro Tautomer

The largely reversible, light‐induced tautomerization of 2‐nitrotoluene ( 1 ) to the quinonoid aci‐nitro tautomer aci‐ 1 was studied by flash photolysis as a benchmark for comparison with the widely used nitrobenzyl phototriggers (`caged compounds'). The pH‐rate profile for the decay of aci‐ 1 in aqueous solution exhibits downward curvature at pH 3 – 4, which is attributed to pre‐equilibrium ionization of the nitronic acid aci‐ 1 to its anion 1 ⁻ (pK_a=3.57). Two regions of upward curvature, at pH ca. 6 and <0 (H₀≈−1), each indicate a change in the reaction mechanism. The elementary reactions that dominate between the curved regions are assigned on the basis of kinetic isotope effects and the observation of general acid catalysis: Hydronium ions regenerate 2‐nitrotoluene by C‐protonation of 1 ⁻ in the pH range of 0 – 6, and H₂O is the proton source at pH>6. A hird, irreversible Nef‐type isomerization of aci‐ 1 prevails in highly acidic solutions (pH<0). The equilibrium constant for the thermal tautomerization of 1 to aci‐ 1 is estimated as pK_T=17.0±0.2 based on kinetic data.     

Neue Oxocadmate der Alkalimetalle: K6[CdO4],Rb6[CdO4], Rb2CdO2 und Rb2Cd2O3

The crystal structure of K₆[CdO₄] and Rb₂CdO₂ has been determined from single crystal X-ray diffraction data and refined toR=0.058 (K₆[CdO₄]) andR=0.088 (Rb₂CdO₂). K₆[CdO₄] crystallizes hexagonal, space group P6₃mc with lattice constantsa=867.42 (6),c=665.5 (1) pm,c/a=0.767 andZ=2. It is isotypic with Na₆[ZnO₄]. Rb₂CdO₂ is orthorhombic, space group Pbcn witha=1045.0 (2),b=629.1 (1),c=618.3 (1) pm,Z=4, and crystallizes with the K₂CdO₂ structure type. The crystal structures can be deduced from the motif of a closest packed arrangement of O^2– with hexagonal (K₆[CdO₄]) or cubic (Rb₂CdO₂) stacking. The tetrahedra occupied by Cd²⁺ are isolated (K₆[CdO₄]) or edge-shared (formation of infinite SiS₂-like chains [CdO_4/2]) (Rb₂CdO₂). The powder diffraction pattern of Rb₆[CdO₄] [a=906.6 (1),c=694.3 (1) pm] and Rb₂Cd₂O₃ [a=642.6 (2),b=679.0 (1),c=667.9 (2) pm, =115.2 (1)] confirm isotypie with K₆[CdO₄] and K₂Cd₂O₃ respectively.

Herrn Prof. Dr.Gutman zum 65. Geburtstag gewidmet.     

Polynuclear Branched Tetrazole Systems. 2. New 2-(5-Tetrazolyl)ethylpodands and Their NH-Acidity

Nine new polynuclear 2-(5-tetrazolyl)ethyl podands have been obtained by the azidation of the corresponding nitriles. Using Bjerrum distribution functions, the values of pK _a ¹, pK _a ², pK _a ³, and pK _a ⁴ have been determined by a potentiometric method for 14 polynuclear tetrazoles in aqueous and aqueous methanolic solution. The found values lie in the range from 3.5 to 7.5 pH units. The overall rules and the sequence of the ionization of the spatially separated tetrazole fragments in these podand systems are discussed.     

The salt–cocrystal spectrum in salicylic acid–adenine: the influence of crystal structure on proton‐transfer balance

At one extreme of the proton‐transfer spectrum in cocrystals, proton transfer is absent, whilst at the opposite extreme, in salts, the proton‐transfer process is complete. However, for acid–base pairs with a small ΔpK_a (pK_a of base ? pK_a of acid), prediction of the extent of proton transfer is not possible as there is a continuum between the salt and cocrystal ends. In this context, we attempt to illustrate that in these systems, in addition to ΔpK_a, the crystalline environment could change the extent of proton transfer. To this end, two compounds of salicylic acid (SaH) and adenine (Ad) have been prepared. Despite the same small ΔpK_a value (≈1.2), different ionization states are found. Both crystals, namely adeninium salicylate monohydrate, C₅H₆N₅⁺·C₇H₅O₃^?·H₂O, I , and adeninium salicylate–adenine–salicylic acid–water (1/2/1/2), C₅H₆N₅⁺·C₇H₅O₃^?·2C₅H₅N₅·C₇H₆O₃·2H₂O, II , have been characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis (C, H and N) techniques. In addition, the intermolecular hydrogen‐bonding interactions of compounds I and II have been investigated and quantified in detail on the basis of Hirshfeld surface analysis and fingerprint plots. Throughout the study, we use crystal engineering, which is based on modifications of the intermolecular interactions, thus offering a more comprehensive screening of the salt–cocrystal continuum in comparison with pure pK_a analysis.     

A reliable and efficient first principles‐based method for predicting pKa values. 4. organic bases

The ionization (dissociation) constant (pK_a) is one of the most important properties of a drug molecule. It is reported that almost 68% of ionized drugs are weak bases. To be able to predict accurately the pK_a value(s) for a drug candidate is very important, especially in the early stages of drug discovery, as calculations are much cheaper than determining pK_a values experimentally. In this study, we derive two linear fitting equations (pK_a = a × ΔE + b; where a and b are constants and ΔE is the energy difference between the cationic and neutral forms, i.e., ΔE = E_neutral?E_cationic) for predicting pK_as for organic bases in aqueous solution based on a training/test set of almost 500 compounds using our previously developed protocol (OLYP/6‐311+G**//3‐21G(d) with the the conductor‐like screening model solvation model, water as solvent; see Zhang, Baker, Pulay, J. Phys. Chem. A 2010 , 114, 432). One equation is for saturated bases such as aliphatic and cyclic amines, anilines, guanidines, imines, and amidines; the other is for unsaturated bases such as heterocyclic aromatic bases and their derivatives. The mean absolute deviations for saturated and unsaturated bases were 0.45 and 0.52 pK_a units, respectively. Over 60% and 86% of the computed pK_a values lie within ±0.5 and ±1.0 pK_a units, respectively, of the corresponding experimental values. The results further demonstrate that our protocol is reliable and can accurately predict pK_a values for organic bases. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Oil-Water Partitioning of a Synthetic Tetracarboxylic Acid as a Function of pH

The oil-water partitioning of a synthetic tetraacid acting as a model compound for indigenous C₈₀-C₈₂ ARN acids has been studied as a function of pH, ionic strength and type of monovalent counterion. Experimental data obtained with ultraviolet-visible and HPLC/UV analyses have been fitted to thermodynamic models based on one, two or four dissociation steps to obtain o/w partition coefficients (K _wo ) of the fully protonated acid between chloroform and aqueous solutions, and its apparent acidity constant(s), pK _a. As the study is conducted above the CMC of the tetraacid, in general high apparent acidity constants were obtained in the range from 6 to 8 resulting from micellization equilibria. K _wo values were obtained in the range from 10^?3 to 10^?4, and decreasing with increasing salinity. At 50 mM K⁺, no conclusions could be made regarding the number of distinguishable dissociation steps, while at higher ionic strength (184 mM and 452 mM K⁺) and at 184 mM Na⁺ a model with two dissociation steps provided good fits to the experimental data. The first step was found to be given by a pK _a ≈ 6.6–6.8 and the second dissociation step at pK _a values ≈ 7.8–8.3. The two-step mechanism supports previous results obtained by potentiometric titrations. No significant difference in the o/w behavior was observed when changing the counterion from potassium to sodium. The main partitioning of the tetraacid in the aqueous phase occurred above pH 8, where the fully deprotonated acid was formed.     

Nucleophilicities of Para‐Substituted Phenoxide Ions in Water and Correlation Analysis

Second‐order rate constants for the reactions of 2‐aryl‐4,6‐dinitrobenzotriazole 1‐oxides 1a‐d with some 4‐X‐substituted phenoxide ions 2a‐d (X = OCH₃, H, Cl, and CN) have been measured in aqueous solution at 20°C. The pK_a values for the σ‐complexation processes of a series of benzotriazole 1a‐d measured in water have been used to determine their electrophilicity parameters E according to the correlation E = –3.20 – 0.662 pK_a (F. Terrier, S. Lakhdar, T. Boubaker, and R. Goumont, J Org Chem, 2005 , 70, 6242–6253). For these reactions, plots of log k versus the electrophilicity parameters E of the benzotriazoles 1a‐d were linear, allowing to derive the nucleophilicity parameters N and s for phenoxide ions as defined by the Mayr equation log k₁ (20°C) = s (E + N) (H. Mayr, M. Patz. Angew Chem, Int Ed Engl 1994 , 33, 938–957). The N values are found to cover a range of nucleophilicity from 6.85 to 10.22, going from 4‐cyanophenoxide 2d for the least reactive ion to 4‐methoxyphenoxide 2a for the most reactive nucleophile. Good linear correlations were found between the nucleophilicity parameters N of phenoxide ions 2a‐d and the pK_a values of their conjugate acids (N = –3.05 + 1.25 pK_a) and the constants of the substituents X (N = 9.21 – 2.51).     

Basicity of some aliphatic amines in mixed H2O?CH3CN solvents

The values of pK_a^ms (K_a^ms represents ionization constant of conjugate acid of amine base in mixed water–acetonitrile solvent) for all amines, except for charged amine bases, show a mild decrease (ca. 0.1–0.4 pK units) with the increase in CH₃CN content from 2 to ∼60% v/v. However, the pK_a^ms values at 70% v/v CH₃CN become nearly equal or slightly larger (by ≤0.7 pK units) than the corresponding pK_a^ms at 2% v/v CH₃CN for all neutral and charged amines. The values of pK_a^ms for phenol increase from 10.17 to 13.38 with the increase in the content of CH₃CN from 2 to 70% v/v in mixed aqueous solvent. Taft reaction constants, ρ*, obtained from the plots of pK_a^ms against ∑σ* for primary and secondary amines decrease by ca. 0.8 ρ* units with the increase in the CH₃CN content from 2 to 70% v/v. The values of pK_a^ms show an empirical linear relationship with the corresponding values of pK_a^w (where pK_a^w represents the pK_a obtained in aqueous solvent containing 2% v/v CH₃CN), which allows the estimation of a pK_a in mixed H₂O CH₃CN solvents from that in water. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 32: 146–152, 2000     

The role of benzoic acid in proline‐catalyzed asymmetric michael addition: A density functional theory study

In asymmetric Michael addition between ketones and nitroolefins catalyzed by L ‐proline, we observed that it was benzoic acid or its derivatives rather than other proton acid that could accelerate the reaction greatly, and different benzoic acid derivatives brought different yields. To explain the experimental phenomena, a density functional theory study was performed to elucidate the mechanism of proline‐catalyzed asymmetric Michael addition with benzoic acid. The results of the theoretical calculation at the level of B3LYP/6‐311+G(2df,p)//B3LYP/6‐31G(d) demonstrated that benzoic acid played two major roles in the formation of nitroalkane: assisting proton transfer and activating the nitro group. In the stage of enamine formation from imine, the energy profiles of benzoic acid derivatives were also calculated to investigate the reasons why different benzoic acid derivatives caused different yields. The results demonstrated that the pK_a value was the major factor for p‐substituted benzoic acid derivatives to improve the yields, whereas for m/o‐substituted benzoic acid derivatives, both pK_a value and electronic and steric effects could significantly increase the yields. The calculated results would be very helpful for understanding the reaction mechanism of Michael addition and provide some insights into the selection of efficient additives for similar experiments. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Intrinsic Acid–Base Properties of a Hexa‐2′‐deoxynucleoside Pentaphosphate,d(ApGpGpCpCpT): Neighboring Effects and Isomeric Equilibria

The intrinsic acid‐base properties of the hexa‐2′‐deoxynucleoside pentaphosphate, d(ApGpGpCpCpT) [=(A1?G2?G3?C4?C5?T6)=(HNPP)^5?] have been determined by ¹H NMR shift experiments. The pK_a values of the individual sites of the adenosine (A), guanosine (G), cytidine (C), and thymidine (T) residues were measured in water under single‐strand conditions (i.e., 10 % D₂O, 47 °C, I=0.1 M , NaClO₄). These results quantify the release of H⁺ from the two (N7)H⁺ (G?G), the two (N3)H⁺ (C?C), and the (N1)H⁺ (A) units, as well as from the two (N1)H (G?G) and the (N3)H (T) sites. Based on measurements with 2′‐deoxynucleosides at 25 °C and 47 °C, they were transferred to pK_a values valid in water at 25 °C and I=0.1 M . Intramolecular stacks between the nucleobases A1 and G2 as well as most likely also between G2 and G3 are formed. For HNPP three pK_a clusters occur, that is those encompassing the pK_a values of 2.44, 2.97, and 3.71 of G2(N7)H⁺, G3(N7)H⁺, and A1(N1)H⁺, respectively, with overlapping buffer regions. The tautomer populations were estimated, giving for the release of a single proton from five‐fold protonated H₅(HNPP)^±, the tautomers (G2)N7, (G3)N7, and (A1)N1 with formation degrees of about 74, 22, and 4 %, respectively. Tautomer distributions reveal pathways for proton‐donating as well as for proton‐accepting reactions both being expected to be fast and to occur practically at no “cost”. The eight pK_a values for H₅(HNPP)^± are compared with data for nucleosides and nucleotides, revealing that the nucleoside residues are in part affected very differently by their neighbors. In addition, the intrinsic acidity constants for the RNA derivative r(A1?G2?G3? C4?C5?U6), where U=uridine, were calculated. Finally, the effect of metal ions on the pK_a values of nucleobase sites is briefly discussed because in this way deprotonation reactions can easily be shifted to the physiological pH range.