MATERIALS AND METHODS
Computational Methods
The geometries of keto and enol isomers (Z & E) (Scheme1) were completely optimized with the Gaussian 09
program [19], employing the B3LYP functional [20-21] within the scope of density functional theory (DFT) [22]
level with the 6–311G (d,p) as triple split valence basis sets in gas phase. All geometries were taken as starting
points using HF/3-21G geometry optimizations. These results were reoptimized at Becke’s 3-parameter exact
exchanges functional (B3) combined with gradient corrected correlation functional of Lee-Yang-Parr (LYP) method
[23].For the optimized geometries, the frequencies were obtained from the second derivates of the energy computed
using analytically calculated first derivates to establish the stationary points. All optimized structures were checked
by analysis of harmonic vibration frequencies. The optimized structures of all investigated molecules are at the
stationary points corresponding to local minima without imaginary frequency. The atomic charges have been
calculated using Mulliken population analysis.
The transition states were optimized by using Synchronous Transit-Guided Quasi-Newton (STQN) Methods. The
STQN method, implemented by H. B. Schlegel and coworkers,[24] uses a quadratic synchronous transit approach to
get closer to the quadratic region of the transition state and then uses a quasi-Newton or eigenvector- following
algorithm to complete the optimization. Firstly, the structures of every stable configuration were optimized at
B3LYP/6-311G (d,p) level. Then the frequencies and zero-point energies (ZPE) of these structures were calculated
at the same level. Frequency calculations were performed to distinguish local minima from saddle points;
meanwhile, they were also used to confirm the reaction transition states (TS), which were optimized using QST2
method. There was only one imaginary frequency for the transition state, whereas there was no imaginary frequency
for stable states.