(±)-threo-3-Hydroxy-2,3-diphenylpropanoic Acid Methyl Ester

Abstract

The crystal structure of methyl (±)-threo-3-hydroxy-2,3-diphenylpropanoate, C 16 H 16 O 3 , has been determined. In the crystal, the phenyl group at the chiral α-C atom and the hydroxy group at the chiral β-C atom are in the energetically preferred trans conformation. The torsion angle O-C β -C α -C phenyl is 175.8 (2)°. The H atoms at the chiral C atoms are also in an antiperiplana arrangement. Pairs of molecules are linked via a pair of weak intermolecular hydrogen bonds between hydroxy H and carbonyl O atoms. The IR spectrum verifies the presence of this hydrogen bond. The dihedral angle between the least-squares planes through the phenyl rings is 53.0 (1)°. The distance between the α and β chiral C atoms is 1.530 (3)A. The bond distances and angles of the molecule are as expected.