STRUCTURES OF TRIBENZYLMETHANOL AND 1,2,3-TRIPHENYL-2-PROPANOL

The tribenzylmethanol molecule, (PhCH2)3COH, has approximate threefold symmetry in the solid state. The hydroxyl H atom is disordered unequa lly over three orientations and is not involved in hydrogen bonding. T he 1,2,3-triphenyl-2-propanol molecule, Ph(PhCH2)2COH, crystallizes wi th two molecules per asymmetric unit which differ slightly in conforma tion. In one of the molecules the hydroxyl H atom is disordered equall y over two sites, whereas in the other molecule there is no disorder. As in the tribenzylmethanol molecule, there is no intermolecular O-H.. .O hydrogen bonding, presumably because of the steric bulk of the mole cules and their packing which prevents the close approach of the O ato ms of adjacent molecules.