CRYSTAL AND MOLECULAR-STRUCTURE OF 2 POLYMORPHS OF 3-AMINO-4-NITROBENZYL ALCOHOL

The 3-amino-4-nitrobenzyl alcohol was synthesized and its molecular st ructure in crystalline state was determined by X-ray diffraction metho ds. It crystallizes in two polymorphic forms, a monoclinic and a tricl inic one. The monoclinic form I, crystallizes in the space group C2/c with a = 21.787(7), b = 4.740(2), c = 14.423(4) Angstrom, beta = 92.89 (3)degrees, V = 1487.6(9) Angstrom(3), Z = 8; the triclinic form Is, c rystallizes in the space group <P(1)over bar> with a = 7.190(4), b = 7 .283(4), c = 7.888(4) Angstrom, alpha = 84.03(5), beta = 79.43(5), gam ma = 63.57(5)degrees, V = 363.5(3) Angstrom(3), Z = 2. In both polymor phs the molecules are to be nearly planar, and the alcohol group being the most deviated from planarity. The nitro group is twisted to the a romatic ring on 3.5(1)degrees and 1.1(1)degrees in I and Ia, respectiv ely. In both crystals one of the amine hydrogens participates in the i ntramolecular a nd intermolecular hydrogen bonds. The second amine as well as the hydroxy hydrogens are utilized in intermolecular hydrogen bonds in both crystals forming a two-dimensional hydrogen bonding netw ork, parallel to the plane he in I and parallel to the plane sc in Is. In I the hydroxy oxygen atom is an acceptor as well as a donor of the hydrogen, while in In it is only a donor of hydrogen in intermolecula r hydrogen bonds.