Ab initioanalysis on metal ion catalysis in the enolization reactions of some acetylheterocycles: kinetics of the enolization reactions of 3-acetyl-5-methylisoxazole, 5-acetyl-3-methylisoxazole and 3(5)-acetylpyrazole

Kinetic data on the enolization reaction of 3-acetyl-5-methylisoxazole, 5-acetyl-3-methylisoxazole, 3(5)-acetylpyrazole and some previously studied acetylheterocycles have been the object of a comprehensive ab initio analysis. Enolization rate constants were measured spectrophotometrically by the halogen trapping technique at 25 °C and ionic strength of 0.3 mol dm−3 in water, in acetate buffers, in dilute hydrochloric acid, in dilute sodium hydroxide and in the presence of some metal ion salts. In the spontaneous (water) and base (acetate) catalysed reactions the ketones investigated are generally more reactive than acetophenone, according to the electron-withdrawing effect of the heterocyc…