Collect. Czech. Chem. Commun.
2009, 74, 57-72
https://doi.org/10.1135/cccc2008149
Published online 2009-01-22 17:12:05
Stability, polarity, intramolecular interactions and π-electron delocalization for all eighteen tautomers rotamers of uracil. DFT studies in the gas phase
Ewa D. Raczyńskaa,*, Katarzyna Zientarab, Tomasz M. Stępniewskib and Katarzyna Kolczyńskab
a Department of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-776 Warszaw, Poland
b Interdisciplinary Department of Biotechnology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-726 Warsaw, Poland
Abstract
Complete tautomeric equilibria were investigated for uracil at the DFT(B3LYP)/6-311+G(d,p) level to establish the stability order of all possible 18 tautomers-rotamers in the gas phase and to characterize their internal effects, polarity and aromatic character. Although the di-NH form strongly predominates (100%) in the mixture, the NH–OH, di-OH and CH–NH forms can be also considered. The favored tautomer is moderately stabilized by intramolecular interactions (attractions of the NH and C=O groups); it is also moderately polar and moderately delocalized. Stability of the functional groups (both amide functions) seems to be more important than intramolecular interactions, polarity and aromaticity. This is probably the main factor that dictates the tautomeric preferences in the uracil molecule.
Keywords: Uracil; Tautomers-rotamers; π-Electron delocalization; DFT.
References: 52 live references.
