Studies on Picrates. IX. Crystal Structures of o-Xylene and p-Xylene Picrates.

Abstract

The crystal structures of o-xylene picrate (1) and p-xylene picrate (2) have been elucidated by X-ray analysis. In the structure of 1, o-xylene and picric acid are arranged alternately along the α-axis, making their molecular planes parallel to each other. Two crystallographically independent o-xylene : picric acid complexes exist in an asymmetric unit, which are formed through both π-π interaction and hydrogen bonding between neighboring molecules. The p-xylene molecule forms a picrate with one of three crystallographically independent picric acid moleties through π-π interaction, but not with the two other picric acid molecules.