DFT studies on tautomeric preferences of 1-(pyridin-2-yl)-4-(quinolin-2-yl)butane-2,3-dione in the gas phase and in solution

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations show that in vacuum such α-diketone as 1-(pyridin-2-yl)-4-(quinolin-2-yl)butane-2,3-dione is much less stable than its enolimine–enaminone ((1Z,3Z)-3-hydroxy-4-(pyridin-2-yl)-1-(quinolin-2(1H)-ylidene)but-3-en-2-one) and dienaminone tautomers ((1Z,3Z)-1-(pyridin-2-yl)-4-(quinolin-2-yl)buta-1,3-diene-2,3-diol). Other its tautomers (multiple basic and acidic centers in their molecules enable multiple proton transfer to take place) are even more labile. Strength of the intramolecular hydrogen bonds and aromatic character of the (quasi)rings [proved by the Harmonic Oscillator Model of Aromaticity (HOMA) index] in their molecules were found to be responsible for the observed tautomeric preferences. Polar and basic solvent disfavors and favors the enolimine and enaminone tautomers, respectively.