Variable-temperature NMR study of the enol forms of benzoylacetones.

The enol forms of the beta-diketones, benzoylacetones, have been studied using long-range carbon-hydrogen couplings involving the chelate OH proton, O1H chemical shifts, 13C chemical shifts and deuterium isotope effects on 13C chemical shifts. Studies were done in the temperature range from 268 to 181 K. The compounds are shown to be tautomeric, in opposition to a more symmetrical, delocalised, close to one-potential well structure as found in the solid at very low temperature. The same is true for dibenzoylmethane. The isotope effects on chemical shifts are very sensitive gauges of structure in these almost symmetrical systems. Equilibrium constants are determined and related to other similar compounds. Copyright (c) 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.