13C-nuclear magnetic resonance investigations of xanthine and some of its N-methylated derivatives.

The 13C-Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectra of xanthine, 1,3-dimethyl-xanthine (theophylline), 3,7-dimethyl xanthine (theobromine) and 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine (caffeine) were obtained and the lines assigned. Protonationand N-Methylation parameters are derived by comparison of the 13C-chemical shifts of the protonated cations with those of the neutral molecules and also with those of the xanthine cation. The shifts are discussed in terms of variations in the shielding at the different C-atoms induced by N-methylation and protonation. Approximate correlations are found between the 13C-chemical shifts and the ^-electron densities at the C-atoms.