The molecules of those aromatic compounds such as naphthalene, durene, and diphenyl which have been examined in detail by the X-ray method are all found to possess a planar structure to within the limits of the respective experimental errors. Dibenzyl, the analysis of which is described below, now proves to be an interesting exception to this rule because the molecule is found to extend in three dimensions. A planar structure would be quite in keeping with the chemical formula, but the X-ray evidence seems to point conclusively to an alternative structure in which the benzene rings though parallel occupy different planes (see fig. 3); those planes being at right angles to the plane containing the zig-zag of the connecting CH 2 groups. Crystal Data — Space Group Dibenzyl belongs to the monoclinic prismatic class. Good crystals were easily obtained from alcohol or ether solution, and the form is a familiar one, being very similar to the naphthalene and diphenyl series except that there is a somewhat greater tendency for the crystals to elongate along the b axis. The (001), (110), and (201 ¯ ) faces are most frequently developed, particularly the former. The axial ratios are given by Groth as a : b : c = 2·0806 : 1 : 1·2522. β = 115° 54'.
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