Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 1, 2026

06:35
Construction and Systematical Symmetric Studies of a Series of Supramolecular Clusters with Binary or Ternary Ammonium Triphenylacetates
Published on: February 15, 2016
A monoclinic polymorph of cysteamine hydro-chloride.
Summary
The hydrochloride salt of cysteamine, a compound known as 2-mercaptoethan-aminium chloride, was found to crystallize in a monoclinic system. This crystal structure features a unique arrangement of cations and anions linked by hydrogen bonds, forming 2D networks.
Area of Science:
- Crystallography
- Solid-state chemistry
- Materials science
Background:
- Cysteamine hydrochloride (2-mercaptoethan-aminium chloride) is a significant chemical compound.
- Previous studies reported a triclinic polymorph of this salt.
- Understanding different crystalline forms is crucial for material properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and characterize a new crystalline form of cysteamine hydrochloride.
- To determine the crystal system and structural features of this polymorph.
- To compare its structure with the previously reported triclinic form.
Main Methods:
- Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.
- Crystallographic data collection and structure determination.
- Analysis of intermolecular interactions, including hydrogen bonding.
Main Results:
- The title compound, cysteamine hydrochloride, crystallized in the monoclinic crystal system.
- The crystal structure revealed cysteaminium cations linked to chloride anions by four hydrogen bonds (one S-H⋯Cl, three N-H⋯Cl).
- Two-dimensional slab-like networks were formed and stacked along the [100] direction, showing similarity to the triclinic polymorph.
Conclusions:
- A novel monoclinic polymorph of cysteamine hydrochloride has been successfully characterized.
- The hydrogen bonding network dictates the formation of 2D layered structures in the crystal.
- Structural similarities exist between the monoclinic and triclinic polymorphs, indicating potential phase relationships.
Related Concept Videos
Ionic Crystal Structures
Ionic crystals consist of two or more different kinds of ions that usually have different sizes. The packing of these ions into a crystal structure is more complex than the packing of metal atoms that are the same size.
Most monatomic ions behave as charged spheres, and their attraction for ions of opposite charge is the same in every direction. Consequently, stable structures for ionic compounds result (1) when ions of one charge are surrounded by as many ions as possible of the opposite...
Most monatomic ions behave as charged spheres, and their attraction for ions of opposite charge is the same in every direction. Consequently, stable structures for ionic compounds result (1) when ions of one charge are surrounded by as many ions as possible of the opposite...
Structure of Amines
The hybridized nitrogen atom in amines possesses a lone pair of electrons and is bound to three substituents with a bond angle of around 108°, which is less than the tetrahedral angle of 109.5°. However, the C–N–H bond angle is slightly larger at 112°, with a carbon–nitrogen bond length of 147 pm. This carbon–nitrogen bond length of of amines is longer than the carbon–oxygen bond of alcohols (143 pm) but shorter than alkanes’ carbon–carbon bond (154 pm). These aspects are illustrated in Figure...
Factors Affecting Dissolution: Polymorphism, Amorphism and Pseudopolymorphism
Polymorphism refers to the existence of a drug substance in multiple crystalline forms, known as polymorphs. Recently, this term has been expanded to include solvates (forms containing a solvent), amorphous forms (non-crystalline forms), and desolvated solvates (forms from which the solvent has been removed).
Some polymorphic crystals possess lower aqueous solubility than their amorphous counterparts, leading to incomplete absorption. For instance, the oral suspension of Chloramphenicol, which...
Some polymorphic crystals possess lower aqueous solubility than their amorphous counterparts, leading to incomplete absorption. For instance, the oral suspension of Chloramphenicol, which...
Stereoisomerism
Isomerism in Complexes
Isomers are different chemical species that have the same chemical formula.
Transition metal complexes often exist as geometric isomers, in which the same atoms are connected through the same types of bonds but with differences in their orientation in space. Coordination complexes with two different ligands in the cis and trans positions from a ligand of interest form isomers. For example, the octahedral [Co(NH3)4Cl2]+ ion has two isomers (Figure 1) In the cis...
Isomers are different chemical species that have the same chemical formula.
Transition metal complexes often exist as geometric isomers, in which the same atoms are connected through the same types of bonds but with differences in their orientation in space. Coordination complexes with two different ligands in the cis and trans positions from a ligand of interest form isomers. For example, the octahedral [Co(NH3)4Cl2]+ ion has two isomers (Figure 1) In the cis...
Stereoisomerism of Cyclic Compounds
In this lesson, we delve into the role of ring conformation and its stability, which determines the spatial arrangement and, consequently, the molecular symmetry and stereoisomerism of cyclic compounds. 1,2-Dimethylcyclohexane is used as a case study to evaluate the possible number of stereoisomers. Here, given the multiple (n = 2) chiral centers, there are 2n = 4 possible configurations that lack a plane of symmetry, as the ring skeleton exists in a non-planar chair conformation. In addition,...
Structural Isomerism
Isomerism in Complexes
Isomers are different chemical species that have the same chemical formula. Structural isomerism of coordination compounds can be divided into two subcategories, the linkage isomers and coordination-sphere isomers.
Linkage isomers occur when the coordination compound contains a ligand that can bind to the transition metal center through two different atoms. For example, the CN− ligand can bind through the carbon atom or through the nitrogen atom. Similarly, SCN− can be...
Isomers are different chemical species that have the same chemical formula. Structural isomerism of coordination compounds can be divided into two subcategories, the linkage isomers and coordination-sphere isomers.
Linkage isomers occur when the coordination compound contains a ligand that can bind to the transition metal center through two different atoms. For example, the CN− ligand can bind through the carbon atom or through the nitrogen atom. Similarly, SCN− can be...
![Cercosporin-Photocatalyzed [4+1]- and [4+2]-Annulations of Azoalkenes Under Mild Conditions](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcloudfront.jove.com%2FCDNSource%2Fteasers%2F60786.jpg&w=3840&q=50)
