Structure of 1(5)-aryl-3-phenyl-5(1)-(2-benzothiazolyl)formazanes

1,3-Diphenyl-5-(2-benzothiazolyl)formazane exists in its crystalline state (based on x-ray crystal structure data) in the E1,2Z2,3Z3,4-conformation, which is stabilized by intramolecular hydrogen bonding (IMHB); the proton is localized on the nitrogen atom which is bound to the heterocycle. In chloroform solutions 1(5)-aryl-3-phenyl-5(1)-(2-benzothiazolyl)formazanes exist in the form of equilibrium mixtures of their chelate and open E1,2Z2,3Z3,4-forms, in which the first of these forms predominates. Based on their13C-NMR spectral data the tautomeric equilibrium involving these forms is shifted in favor of the benzothiazolylhydrazone form. The amount of tautomer containing the benzothiazolidene fragment structure increases in DMSO solution.