Summary: | The present overview concentrates on recent developments of tautomerism of β-diketones and β-thioxoketones, both in solution and in the solid state. In particular, the latter has been a matter of debate and unresolved problems. Measurements of <sup>13</sup>C, <sup>17</sup>O, and <sup>2</sup>H chemical shifts have been used. Deuterium isotope effects on chemical shifts are proposed as a tool in the study of this problem. Photoconversion of β-diketones and β-thioxoketones are discussed in detail, and the incorporation of β-diketones into molecules with fluorescent properties is assessed. Finally, docking studies of β-diketones are scrutinized with an emphasis on correct tautomeric structures and knowledge about barriers to interconversion of tautomers.
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