Protonation of 1,2,4-triazine 4-oxides

The basicity of some 1,2,4-triazine 4-oxides was estimated on a quantitative level, and their probable protonation patterns were ascertained. The dissociation constants of mono- and diprotonated 3-R-6-phenyl-1,2,4-triazine 4-oxides in aqueous buffer solutions and aqueous sulfuric acid solutions were determined (6-phenyl-1,2,4-triazine 4-oxide: $pK_{BH^ + } = 1.1$ , $pK_{BH^{2 + } } = - 6.02$ ). According to the results of DFT calculations (B3LYP/6-311**) and spectral data, first protonation of 1,2,4-triazine 4-oxides involves the N¹ nitrogen atom, and the second proton adds to the N-oxide oxygen atom.