Investigation of 4-acetyl-2,6-dibenzyl-1,5-dihydroxy-2-methylcyclohexa-4,6-dien-3-one by X-ray crystallography and 1H-NMR spectroscopy

Benzylation of 3-methylphloracetophenone [1-(2,4,6-trihydroxy-3-methylphenyl)ethanone] (3) with benzyl chloride gave 4-acetyl-2,6-dibenzyl-1,5-dihydroxy-2-methylcyclohexa-4,6-dien-3-one (5). Compound 5 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Fdd2 with a = 17.586(2), b = 42.891(5), c = 10.279(2) A, V = 7753(2) A,3 and Z = 16. When crystals of 5 were dissolved in [D6]acetone the compound underwent tautomerization and a mixture of 5 and its keto form 4 was obtained (keto form/enol form ratio 1:4).