The molecular and crystal structures and tautomerism of protonated isomeric 3 pyridyl substituted 5 amino 1H 1,2,4 triazoles were studied within the framework of density function al theory and by X ray analysis. According to B3LYP/6 311++G(2d,2p) calculations of six possible tautomeric forms A-F, tautomers A with the N protonated pyridine moiety are pre dominant in the gas phase. 5 Amino 4H 1 onium compounds (tautomers D) of higher polarity are next in stability; their relative energies decrease as follows: 3 pyridin 4 yl , 3 pyridin 3 yl , and 3 pyridin 2 yl 5 amino 4H 1,2,4 triazol 1 onium cation. A comparison of experimental 13 C NMR spectra of tautomers A and D with their NMR spectra calculated by the GIAO method showed that both tautomeric forms can coexist in comparable amounts in DMSO solutions. Tautomers A and D were detected by X ray analysis in crystals of 5 amino 3 (pyrid in 2 yl) 1H 1,2,4 triazolium salts.