X-ray photoelectron spectra and structure of 2-(2-phenylhydrazono)acetoacetanilide

2-(2-Phenylhydrazono)acetoacetanilide, its N-methyl derivatives, and model compounds were studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The chemical sh ifts were obtained from the C-13 NMR spectra. A correlation between the cal culated charges, the binding energies on N atoms, and the C-13 NMR chemical shifts was found. The analysis of the XPS data and the C-13 NMR chemical s hifts led to the conclusion that crystalline 2-(2-phenylhydrazono)acetoacet aniIide exists mainly in the oxo hydrazone form.