The unusually high stability of the enol form in -dicarbonyl compounds (such as acetylacetone) is pr — Isomerism and Stereochemistry Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

The enol form of $\beta$ -dicarbonyls is exceptionally stable because the resulting hydroxyl proton forms a powerful intramolecular hydrogen bond with the adjacent unreacted carbonyl oxygen, creating a stabilizing six-membered chelate ring. Furthermore, the newly formed $C=C$ double bond aligns in direct resonance conjugation with the $C=O$ double bond, vastly lowering the system's overall energy.