Synthesis, crystal structures, spectral FT‐IR, NMR and UV–Vis investigations and Hirshfeld surface analysis of two new 2‐hydroxyethyl‐substituted N‐heterocyclic carbene precursors

Abstract

This study discusses the synthesis of two new 2‐hydroxyethyl substituted N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) precursors. The NHC precursors were prepared from 1‐(alkyl/aryl)benzimidazole and alkyl halides. They were characterized using 1H NMR, 13C NMR, FT‐IR, UV–Vis spectroscopy, and elemental analysis techniques. Molecular and crystal structures of 1 and 2 were determined using the single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction method. Crystal structure of the compounds features NHC precursors and chloride anions. Additionally in 2, the asymmetric unit has a water molecule, which forms a tetrameric chloride‐hydrate assembly with the chloride anion. The chloride anions play an important role in the stabilization of crystal structures to form a two‐dimensional supramolecular architecture. The 3D Hirshfeld surface and the associated 2D fingerprint plots were also drawn to gain insights into the behavior of the interactions in the compounds.