Tautomeric Equilibria and pi-Electron Delocalization for the Substrate (Pyruvate) and Inhibitor (Oxamate) of Lactate Dehydrogenase - DFT Studies

Keto-enol tautomerism for the substrate (pyruvate) of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and amideiminol tautomerism for its inhibitor (oxamate) were studied at the DFT(B3LYP)/6-31++G(d,p) level. Both anions (and also both radicals) prefer the C=O forms, i.e. the keto and amide form, respectively. The OH forms (enolpyruvate and iminoloxamate) have higher Gibbs free energies. Their amounts in the tautomeric mixtures are larger than 0.01% for anions and lower than 0.001% for radicals. pi-Electron delocalization for OCO fragments is greater than that for XCO fragments for both anions and radicals.