Molecular structure, absolute configuration, and crystal packing of three oxazolidin-2-ones, universal precursors of nonracemic beta-adrenoblockers

X-Ray diffraction analysis of enatiomerically pure samples of 5-hydroxymeth yl-3-isopropyl-, 3-tert-butyl-5-hydroxymethyl-, and 3-tert-butyl-5-(p-tosyl oxymethyl)oxazolidin-2-ones was performed. The absolute configurations of t he two molecules were determined by a direct method, and recommendations on determination of the absolute configurations of molecules containing no he avy atoms were proposed. A hydrogen-bonded crystal packing was revealed, co mprising layers with alternating hydrophilic and lipophilic areas.