Phenyl bis-(m-tolyl-amido)-phosphinate

Area of Science:

• Crystal engineering
• Organic chemistry
• Structural analysis

Background:

• Understanding the three-dimensional arrangement of atoms in organic molecules is crucial for predicting their properties and reactivity.
• Intermolecular interactions, such as hydrogen bonding, play a significant role in the self-assembly and macroscopic properties of crystalline materials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the precise molecular and crystal structure of the title compound, C(20)H(21)N(2)O(2)P.
• To analyze the coordination geometry around the phosphorus atom and the electronic character of the nitrogen atom.
• To investigate the intermolecular interactions governing the crystal packing.

Main Methods:

• Single-crystal X-ray diffraction was employed to determine the three-dimensional structure of the compound.
• Analysis of bond lengths, bond angles, and intermolecular contacts was performed.

Main Results:

• The phosphorus (P) atom exhibits a distorted tetrahedral configuration with P-X bond angles ranging from 96.11(6)° to 117.32(8)°.
• The nitrogen (N) atom displays sp(2) hybridization, indicating a planar geometry around it.
• Molecules are interconnected through N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming one-dimensional bands along the crystallographic a axis, characterized by R(2)(2)(8) ring motifs.

Conclusions:

• The crystal structure is stabilized by a network of N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, leading to the formation of supramolecular chains.
• The observed distorted tetrahedral geometry at the phosphorus center and sp(2) character of nitrogen provide insights into the electronic and steric factors influencing the molecule's conformation and packing.