Experimental and quantum chemical studies of the electronic absorption spectra of pyrimidine derivatives

The electronic absorption spectra of different pyrimidine derivatives have been measured experimentally and calculated theoretically by the PPP and CNDO/S methods. These pyrimidine derivatives are: 4,6-dichloro-pyrimidine (I), 4,6-dichloro, 5-amino-pyrimidine (II), 2,4,6-trichloro-pyrimidine (III), 4,6-dihxdroxy-pyrimidine (IV), 4,6-dihxdroxy-5-nitro-pyrimidine (V), 2,4-diamino-pyrimidine (VI), 2,4-diamino-6-hydroxy-pyrimidine (VII), 2,4-dihydroxy-5-carboxy-pyrimidine (VIII), 2,4-dimethyl-6-hydroxy-pyrimidine (IX), 5-nitro-uracil (X), and orotic acid (XI). The observed electronic spectral shifts are quantitatively analyzed in relation to different solute–solvent interaction mechanisms. The effects of solvent polarity and hydrogen bonding on the spectra are discussed in the light of theoretical predictions. This comparative analysis provides a reasonable picture of the solvent effects on the absorption spectral properties of pyrimidine nucleobases.