Role of tautomerism and solvatochromism in UV-VIS spectra of arylhydrazones of β-diketones

► The asymmetric AHBD exist in solution in hydrazone- and enol-azo-forms in ratios dependent on solvent polarity. ► They exhibit specific tautomer-dependent absorptions, which made them efficient solvatochromophores. ► DFT and TDDFT approaches were applied for simulations of experimental UV-VIS absorption spectra of the AHBD.