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Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Synthesis of a Thiol Building Block for the Crystallization of a Semiconducting Gyroidal Metal-sulfur Framework
Published on: April 9, 2018
Structure determination and phase transition behaviour of dimethyl sulfate
Richard M Ibberson1, Mark T F Telling, Simon Parsons
1ISIS Facility, CCLRC--Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0QX, England. r.m.ibberson@rl.ac.uk
Dimethyl sulfate undergoes a first-order phase transition upon cooling, transforming from an orthorhombic crystal structure to a monoclinic one. This structural change significantly alters its molecular coordination.
Area of Science:
- Crystallography
- Materials Science
- Chemical Physics
Background:
- Dimethyl sulfate ((CH3O)2SO2) is a chemical compound with industrial applications.
- Understanding its solid-state behavior is crucial for handling and processing.
- Phase transitions in molecular crystals can significantly impact material properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the crystal structures of phase I and phase II of dimethyl sulfate.
- To elucidate the nature of the phase transition between these two solid forms.
- To investigate the changes in molecular coordination during the phase transition.
Main Methods:
- High-resolution neutron powder diffraction.
- Single-crystal X-ray diffraction.
- Variable-temperature crystallographic analysis.
Main Results:
- Phase I (above ~175 K) exhibits an orthorhombic crystal structure (space group Fdd2).
- Phase II (below ~175 K) adopts a monoclinic crystal structure (space group I2/a).
- The transition is first-order with significant hysteresis, affecting both intra- and intermolecular coordination.
Conclusions:
- Dimethyl sulfate exhibits distinct crystalline phases with different structural arrangements.
- The phase transition involves a change in molecular symmetry and packing.
- The findings provide fundamental insights into the solid-state behavior of dimethyl sulfate.
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