Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 25, 2026

Synthesis of Antiviral Tetrahydrocarbazole Derivatives by Photochemical and Acid-catalyzed C-H Functionalization via Intermediate Peroxides (CHIPS)
Published on: June 20, 2014
Adiabatic triplet state tautomerization of p-hydroxyacetophenone in aqueous solution
Ĺubica Klíčová1, Peter Šebej, Tomáš Šolomek
1Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5/A8, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic.
Abstract:
The primary photophysical processes of p-hydroxyacetophenone (HA) and the ensuing proton transfer reactions in aqueous solution were investigated by picosecond pump-probe spectroscopy and nanosecond laser flash photolysis. Previous studies have led to mutually inconsistent conclusions. The combined data allow us to rationalize the excited-state proton transfer processes of HA in terms of a comprehensive, well-established reaction scheme. Following fast and quantitative ISC to the triplet state, (3)HA*, adiabatic proton transfer through solvent water simultaneously forms both the anion, (3)A(-)*, and the quinoid triplet enol tautomer, (3)Q*. The latter subsequently equilibrates with its anion (3)A(-)*. Ionization and tautomerization are likely to compete with the desired release reactions of p-hydroxyphenacyl photoremovable protecting groups.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Keto–Enol Tautomerism: Mechanism
Aromatic Hydrocarbon Cations: Structural Overview
Removing one hydrogen from the intervening CH2 group with both...
Alkynes to Aldehydes and Ketones: Acid-Catalyzed Hydration
Analogous to alkenes, alkynes also undergo acid-catalyzed hydration. While the addition of water to an alkene gives an alcohol, hydration of alkynes produces different products such as aldehydes and ketones.
Thermal and Photochemical Electrocyclic Reactions: Overview
Regioselectivity and Stereochemistry of Acid-Catalyzed Hydration
Acid-Catalyzed α-Halogenation of Aldehydes and Ketones
In the first step of the mechanism, the acid protonates the carbonyl oxygen resulting in a resonance-stabilized cation, which subsequently loses an α-hydrogen to form an enol tautomer. The C=C bond in an enol is highly nucleophilic because of the electron-donating nature of the –OH group. Consequently, the double bond attacks an electrophilic halogen to form a...

