The structure of β-diketones related to curcumin determined by X-ray crystallography, NMR (solution and solid state) and theoretical calculations

Structural data are reported on sixteen ketoenols of β-diketones: solution NMR, solid-state NMR (CPMAS and MAS) and X-ray crystallography (four compounds, where three are new). The emphasis is on the tautomerism between both ketoenols, in solution and in the solid state. GIAO/B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) and Quantum ESPRESSO (QE) calculations were used and compared. For average values, the GIAO/DMSO-PCM is enough, but splittings can only be approached by using QE. A case of rotational disorder has been analyzed. Some anomalies related to C–F bonds and to the C–CF3 group have been detected.