1,3,5-Tri-p-tolyl-pentane-1,5-diol.

Area of Science:

• Crystallography
• Materials Science
• Organic Chemistry

Background:

• Understanding the three-dimensional arrangement of atoms in organic molecules is crucial for predicting their properties and reactivity.
• Crystal structure analysis provides fundamental insights into intermolecular interactions and packing motifs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the precise crystal structure and molecular geometry of the title compound, C26H30O2.
• To investigate the intermolecular interactions, specifically hydrogen bonding, within the crystal lattice.
• To characterize the presence and nature of solvent molecules within the crystal voids.

Main Methods:

• Single-crystal X-ray diffraction was employed to determine the molecular structure.
• Dihedral angles between benzene rings were measured to quantify molecular conformation.
• Crystal packing was analyzed, focusing on intermolecular hydrogen bonds and void analysis.
• The SQUEEZE routine in PLATON was utilized to address disordered solvent molecules.

Main Results:

• The central benzene ring exhibits dihedral angles of 14.85(15)° and 28.17(14)° with the terminal benzene rings.
• A dihedral angle of 32.14(13)° was observed between the terminal benzene rings.
• Two strong intermolecular O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds were identified, forming directed four-membered rings.
• Disordered ethyl acetate solvent molecules were found to occupy significant voids (ca 519 ų).
• The structure was refined as an inversion twin with an absolute structure parameter of -0.3(4).

Conclusions:

• The detailed crystal structure of C26H30O2 reveals a non-planar conformation due to significant dihedral angles between its aromatic rings.
• Intermolecular hydrogen bonding plays a key role in stabilizing the crystal packing.
• The presence of disordered solvent molecules necessitates specialized treatment during crystallographic refinement, impacting unit-cell parameter determination.