Existence of a Resonance Hybrid Structure as a Result of Proton Tautomerism in (±)-(E) Methyl]phenol Racemate

Abstract

o-Hydroxy Schiff bases have two tautomers known as phenol-imine and keto-amine forms. In the present work, the tautomerism in (E)-4-Bromo-2-[(2,3- dihydroxypropylimino)methyl]phenol compound has been investigated by experimental (XRD, FT-IR and UV-vis) and computational (DFT and TD-DFT) methods. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) study reveals that the title compound favors a resonance hybrid structure of phenol-imine and keto-amine forms in the solid state rather than having these forms separately or jointly. Experimental UV-vis study of proton transfer process in solvent media (Benzene, DMSO and EtOH) shows the preference of phenol-imine form in benzene while both phenol-imine and keto-amine characteristics are present in EtOH and DMSO. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserve.