Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Construction and Systematical Symmetric Studies of a Series of Supramolecular Clusters with Binary or Ternary Ammonium Triphenylacetates
Published on: February 15, 2016
Bis(carboxy-meth-yl)ammonium 4-toluene-sulfonate
1Department of Chemistry, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The imino-diacetic acid salt forms a layered structure through extensive hydrogen bonding. The ammonium and carboxylic acid groups of the cation interact with sulfonate groups, influencing crystal packing.
Area of Science:
- Crystallography
- Supramolecular Chemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- The title salt involves imino-diacetic acid and a sulfonate counterion.
- Protonation state and intermolecular interactions are key to crystal structure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the crystal structure of the imino-diacetic acid salt.
- To investigate the role of hydrogen bonding in the salt's structure.
Main Methods:
- X-ray crystallography (implied)
- Analysis of hydrogen bonding networks
Main Results:
- The imino-diacetic acid component is protonated at the nitrogen atom.
- The cation forms hydrogen bonds via its ammonium and carboxylate groups.
- A layered crystal structure is formed due to these hydrogen-bonding interactions.
Conclusions:
- Hydrogen bonding dictates the supramolecular architecture of the imino-diacetic acid salt.
- The specific interactions lead to a stable, layered arrangement.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution: Sulfonation of Benzene
Carboxylic Acids to Methylesters: Alkylation using Diazomethane
IUPAC Nomenclature of Carboxylic Acids
For acyclic saturated monocarboxylic acids, the longest hydrocarbon chain containing the –COOH carbon is identified as the parent chain. Then, the last -e of the parent hydrocarbon name is replaced with a suffix -oic acid.
Carboxylic Acid Derivatives: Overview
Nomenclature of Carboxylic Acid Derivatives: Amides and Nitriles
The IUPAC and common names of amides are derived from the parent carboxylic acid, by replacing the suffix “oic acid” and “ic acid,” respectively, with “amide.” In the following example, the IUPAC name ethanamide is derived from ethanoic acid, and the common name, acetamide, is obtained from acetic acid.
Acid Halides to Carboxylic Acids: Hydrolysis
As shown below, the mechanism involves a nucleophilic attack by water at the carbonyl carbon to form a tetrahedral intermediate. This is followed by the reformation of the carbon–oxygen π bond along with the departure of a halide ion. A final proton transfer step yields carboxylic acid...

