Proton-transfer tautomerism and enthalpies of formation of some isoquinoline derivatives

Ab initio molecular orbital theory has been used to calculate enthalpies of formation of the keto tautomers of 1-hydroxyisoquinoline, 5-hydroxyisoquinoline, and 1,5-dihydroxyisoquinoline. The high-level composite method G3//B3LYP has been used for this study, and the results have been compared with available experimental values. The keto tautomer is more favourable for 1-hydroxyisoquinoline and 1,5-dihydroxyisoquinoline, and the experimental enthalpies of formation are in better agreement with the theoretical enthalpies of formation of the keto forms.