1-PHENETHYLGUANIDINIUM CHLORIDE

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C10H16N5+.-Cl-, contains tw o molecules with quite different conformations of the biguanide moiety . The crystal structure determined by Herrnstadt et al. [J. Chem. Sec. Perkin Trans. 2 (1979), pp. 735-740] is properly refined, the H-atom positions on the biguanide moiety are evident and the hydrogen-bonding scheme is clarified. Protonation of the biguanide moiety produces a r earrangement of protons in this part of the molecule. The two independ ent protonated molecules in the crystal form a hydrogen-bonded dimer t hrough two intermolecular N-H ... N hydrogen bonds. In addition, the m olecules are held together by van der WaaIs forces and several N-H ... Cl intermolecular interactions.