3,6-Dinitrodurene (1,2,4,5-tetramethyl-3,6-dinitrobenzene), C10H12N2O4, has been crystallized in two polymorphic forms which may be distinguished by their colours in the solid state. Polymorph I gives clear colourless prismatic crystals, while polymorph II crystallizes in the dark and under an inert atmosphere as irregular purple blocks. Both forms belong to the space group C2/c, with both asymmetric units containing two half-molecules. One molecule is located on an inversion centre and the other lies on a twofold axis. The polymorphism arises from different orientations of the twofold axis: in form I, this axis passes through the mid-points of two C-C bonds of the benzene ring and, as a consequence, all atoms in the asymmetric unit are in general positions. In form II, the N atoms of the nitro groups and the Cipso atoms are located on the binary axis. Comparing phases I and II, slightly different conformations are observed for the nitro substituents, while the stacking structures are very similar.
Supporting information
CCDC references: 730112; 730113
Durene (98%, Aldrich), nitric acid (66.5%), sulfuric acid (98.5%), hexane and
methanol (99.96%, Baker) were used for the nitration. In a two-necked vessel
equipped with a refrigerant, the nitrating mixture HNO3:H2SO4 was
prepared in a 4:6 molar ratio. Durene was dissolved in hexane and then added
slowly to the reaction vessel under stirring. During the reaction, it is
important to check that temperature does not exceed 313 K. After duerene
addition was completed, the mixture was further stirred for 2 h at 313 K. The
resulting solid was then washed with large amounts of water and
recrystallized, first from tetrahydrofuran and then from methanol. Colourless
crystals (polymorph I) were obtained on crystallization carried out without
special precautions, while using a dark vessel and under an inert atmosphere
purple crystals were obtained (polymorph II). Slow crystallization is
essential to obtain pure form I or form II crystals. The crystals are
air-stable for several months.
Although polymorph I affords large and well shaped crystals, they are poorly
diffracting and data were collected at low temperature (work done in
Toulouse). In order to rule out a possible low-temperature phase transition,
cell parameters were also measured at 298 K and did not show any symmetry
modification. The data for polymorph II were collected at room temperature
(work done in Monterrey). In both structures, data resolution allowed accurate
positions for all H atoms to be determined, which were then freely refined. In
the case of polymorph II, H atoms are disordered over two positions, due to a
free rotation of the methyl groups about the C—C σ bonds. Each part of the
disordered groups was restrained to approximate an ideal tetrahedral geometry
by restraining C—H and H···H distances to a target geometry identical for
all methyl groups. C—H bond lengths converged to 1.003 (19)–1.046 (18)Å.
Occupancies were refined to common values for all methyl groups, constraining
the sum of occupancies in each group to 1. Occupancies converged to 0.621 (12)
and 0.379 (12). The same behaviour is probably also present in polymorph I, but
limited at 180 (2) K, and methyl groups were eventually refined with
nondisordered H atoms. In polymorph I, C—H bond lengths are in the range
0.89 (3)–1.02 (3)Å. Isotropic displacement parameters for H atoms were
refined to a single value in each structure, and converged to 0.071 (2) and
0.071 (3)Å2 for polymorphs I and II, respectively.
Data collection: CrysAlis CCD (Oxford Diffraction, 2007) for polymorph_I; XSCANS (Siemens, 1996) for polymorph_II. Cell refinement: CrysAlis RED (Oxford Diffraction, 2007) for polymorph_I; XSCANS (Siemens, 1996) for polymorph_II. Data reduction: CrysAlis RED (Oxford Diffraction, 2007) for polymorph_I; XSCANS (Siemens, 1996) for polymorph_II. For both compounds, program(s) used to solve structure: SHELXS97 (Sheldrick, 2008); program(s) used to refine structure: SHELXL97 (Sheldrick, 2008); molecular graphics: SHELXL97 (Sheldrick, 2008) and Mercury (Macrae et al., 2008); software used to prepare material for publication: SHELXL97 (Sheldrick, 2008).
(polymorph_I) 1,2,4,5-tetramethyl-3,6-dinitrobenzene
top
Crystal data top
C10H12N2O4 | F(000) = 944 |
Mr = 224.22 | Dx = 1.405 Mg m−3 |
Monoclinic, C2/c | Melting point: 485.9 K |
Hall symbol: -C 2yc | Mo Kα radiation, λ = 0.71073 Å |
a = 15.1088 (11) Å | Cell parameters from 3138 reflections |
b = 8.9454 (5) Å | θ = 2.6–32.1° |
c = 15.9300 (13) Å | µ = 0.11 mm−1 |
β = 100.131 (8)° | T = 180 K |
V = 2119.4 (3) Å3 | Flattened box, colourless |
Z = 8 | 0.46 × 0.34 × 0.13 mm |
Data collection top
Oxford-Diffraction Xcalibur diffractometer | 1551 reflections with I > 2σ(I) |
Radiation source: fine-focus sealed tube | Rint = 0.062 |
Graphite monochromator | θmax = 26.4°, θmin = 2.7° |
Detector resolution: 8.2632 pixels mm-1 | h = −13→18 |
ω and ϕ scans | k = −11→11 |
7776 measured reflections | l = −19→19 |
2155 independent reflections | |
Refinement top
Refinement on F2 | Primary atom site location: structure-invariant direct methods |
Least-squares matrix: full | Secondary atom site location: difference Fourier map |
R[F2 > 2σ(F2)] = 0.047 | Hydrogen site location: difference Fourier map |
wR(F2) = 0.130 | All H-atom parameters refined |
S = 1.08 | w = 1/[σ2(Fo2) + (0.065P)2 + 0.6452P] where P = (Fo2 + 2Fc2)/3 |
2155 reflections | (Δ/σ)max < 0.001 |
182 parameters | Δρmax = 0.21 e Å−3 |
0 restraints | Δρmin = −0.19 e Å−3 |
0 constraints | |
Crystal data top
C10H12N2O4 | V = 2119.4 (3) Å3 |
Mr = 224.22 | Z = 8 |
Monoclinic, C2/c | Mo Kα radiation |
a = 15.1088 (11) Å | µ = 0.11 mm−1 |
b = 8.9454 (5) Å | T = 180 K |
c = 15.9300 (13) Å | 0.46 × 0.34 × 0.13 mm |
β = 100.131 (8)° | |
Data collection top
Oxford-Diffraction Xcalibur diffractometer | 1551 reflections with I > 2σ(I) |
7776 measured reflections | Rint = 0.062 |
2155 independent reflections | |
Refinement top
R[F2 > 2σ(F2)] = 0.047 | 0 restraints |
wR(F2) = 0.130 | All H-atom parameters refined |
S = 1.08 | Δρmax = 0.21 e Å−3 |
2155 reflections | Δρmin = −0.19 e Å−3 |
182 parameters | |
Fractional atomic coordinates and isotropic or equivalent isotropic displacement parameters (Å2) top | x | y | z | Uiso*/Ueq | |
C1 | 0.53044 (12) | 0.63721 (18) | 0.49463 (11) | 0.0266 (4) | |
C2 | 0.44184 (11) | 0.62274 (19) | 0.50461 (11) | 0.0270 (4) | |
C3 | 0.40944 (11) | 0.47793 (19) | 0.51046 (11) | 0.0267 (4) | |
C4 | 0.38184 (14) | 0.7561 (2) | 0.50727 (15) | 0.0369 (5) | |
H4A | 0.3328 (18) | 0.744 (3) | 0.4592 (16) | 0.071 (2)* | |
H4B | 0.4097 (17) | 0.852 (3) | 0.5056 (17) | 0.071 (2)* | |
H4C | 0.3560 (17) | 0.751 (3) | 0.5578 (17) | 0.071 (2)* | |
C5 | 0.31418 (13) | 0.4508 (3) | 0.52042 (15) | 0.0385 (5) | |
H5A | 0.2764 (17) | 0.482 (3) | 0.4713 (16) | 0.071 (2)* | |
H5B | 0.3033 (17) | 0.347 (3) | 0.5343 (16) | 0.071 (2)* | |
H5C | 0.2984 (16) | 0.506 (3) | 0.5684 (16) | 0.071 (2)* | |
N1 | 0.56375 (10) | 0.79138 (17) | 0.48764 (10) | 0.0328 (4) | |
O1 | 0.56080 (13) | 0.84296 (16) | 0.41743 (10) | 0.0634 (5) | |
O2 | 0.59214 (13) | 0.85824 (16) | 0.55211 (10) | 0.0630 (5) | |
C6 | 0.41353 (11) | 0.66207 (19) | 0.75391 (11) | 0.0256 (4) | |
C7 | 0.45425 (11) | 0.80055 (19) | 0.75192 (11) | 0.0263 (4) | |
C8 | 0.45422 (11) | 0.52386 (19) | 0.75245 (11) | 0.0275 (4) | |
C9 | 0.40340 (14) | 0.9442 (2) | 0.75401 (14) | 0.0374 (5) | |
H9A | 0.3470 (18) | 0.925 (3) | 0.7725 (16) | 0.071 (2)* | |
H9B | 0.4396 (17) | 1.017 (3) | 0.7963 (16) | 0.071 (2)* | |
H9C | 0.3921 (17) | 0.980 (3) | 0.7000 (17) | 0.071 (2)* | |
C10 | 0.40414 (15) | 0.3801 (2) | 0.75598 (16) | 0.0406 (5) | |
H10A | 0.4121 (17) | 0.318 (3) | 0.7097 (17) | 0.071 (2)* | |
H10B | 0.4254 (17) | 0.331 (3) | 0.8065 (18) | 0.071 (2)* | |
H10C | 0.3452 (19) | 0.396 (3) | 0.7512 (17) | 0.071 (2)* | |
N2 | 0.31621 (10) | 0.66225 (17) | 0.75594 (10) | 0.0334 (4) | |
O3 | 0.29181 (9) | 0.6407 (2) | 0.82301 (10) | 0.0572 (5) | |
O4 | 0.26546 (9) | 0.68319 (19) | 0.68913 (9) | 0.0508 (4) | |
Atomic displacement parameters (Å2) top | U11 | U22 | U33 | U12 | U13 | U23 |
C1 | 0.0308 (9) | 0.0199 (9) | 0.0285 (9) | −0.0017 (7) | 0.0031 (7) | 0.0009 (6) |
C2 | 0.0301 (9) | 0.0232 (9) | 0.0268 (9) | 0.0036 (7) | 0.0031 (7) | −0.0003 (6) |
C3 | 0.0262 (9) | 0.0262 (9) | 0.0273 (9) | 0.0014 (7) | 0.0033 (7) | −0.0020 (7) |
C4 | 0.0360 (11) | 0.0256 (10) | 0.0500 (13) | 0.0092 (8) | 0.0105 (9) | 0.0017 (9) |
C5 | 0.0314 (10) | 0.0366 (11) | 0.0488 (13) | −0.0007 (9) | 0.0105 (9) | −0.0049 (9) |
N1 | 0.0371 (9) | 0.0240 (8) | 0.0380 (9) | −0.0010 (7) | 0.0088 (7) | −0.0007 (7) |
O1 | 0.1080 (14) | 0.0399 (9) | 0.0445 (10) | −0.0202 (8) | 0.0193 (9) | 0.0085 (7) |
O2 | 0.1053 (14) | 0.0303 (8) | 0.0494 (10) | −0.0217 (8) | 0.0020 (9) | −0.0072 (7) |
C6 | 0.0211 (8) | 0.0279 (9) | 0.0278 (9) | −0.0010 (7) | 0.0040 (7) | 0.0009 (7) |
C7 | 0.0281 (8) | 0.0235 (9) | 0.0272 (9) | 0.0017 (7) | 0.0050 (7) | 0.0008 (7) |
C8 | 0.0301 (9) | 0.0229 (9) | 0.0281 (9) | −0.0043 (7) | 0.0015 (7) | 0.0004 (7) |
C9 | 0.0407 (11) | 0.0265 (10) | 0.0460 (12) | 0.0083 (8) | 0.0105 (10) | 0.0019 (8) |
C10 | 0.0423 (12) | 0.0259 (10) | 0.0517 (14) | −0.0094 (9) | 0.0031 (10) | 0.0024 (9) |
N2 | 0.0286 (8) | 0.0341 (9) | 0.0378 (9) | −0.0019 (7) | 0.0064 (7) | −0.0017 (7) |
O3 | 0.0364 (8) | 0.0937 (14) | 0.0448 (9) | −0.0099 (8) | 0.0165 (7) | 0.0072 (8) |
O4 | 0.0291 (7) | 0.0771 (11) | 0.0433 (9) | 0.0080 (7) | −0.0015 (6) | 0.0000 (7) |
Geometric parameters (Å, º) top
C1—C2 | 1.382 (3) | C6—C8 | 1.383 (2) |
C1—C3i | 1.385 (2) | C6—C7 | 1.386 (2) |
C1—N1 | 1.479 (2) | C6—N2 | 1.476 (2) |
C2—C3 | 1.394 (2) | C7—C7ii | 1.394 (3) |
C2—C4 | 1.504 (2) | C7—C9 | 1.501 (2) |
C3—C1i | 1.385 (2) | C8—C8ii | 1.399 (3) |
C3—C5 | 1.495 (3) | C8—C10 | 1.498 (3) |
C4—H4A | 0.97 (3) | C9—H9A | 0.96 (3) |
C4—H4B | 0.96 (3) | C9—H9B | 1.02 (3) |
C4—H4C | 0.95 (3) | C9—H9C | 0.91 (3) |
C5—H5A | 0.93 (2) | C10—H10A | 0.95 (3) |
C5—H5B | 0.97 (3) | C10—H10B | 0.92 (3) |
C5—H5C | 0.98 (3) | C10—H10C | 0.89 (3) |
N1—O2 | 1.201 (2) | N2—O3 | 1.205 (2) |
N1—O1 | 1.203 (2) | N2—O4 | 1.212 (2) |
| | | |
C2—C1—C3i | 126.56 (16) | C8—C6—C7 | 126.74 (16) |
C2—C1—N1 | 116.45 (14) | C8—C6—N2 | 116.67 (14) |
C3i—C1—N1 | 116.98 (15) | C7—C6—N2 | 116.58 (14) |
C1—C2—C3 | 116.98 (15) | C6—C7—C7ii | 116.65 (10) |
C1—C2—C4 | 122.00 (16) | C6—C7—C9 | 122.26 (16) |
C3—C2—C4 | 121.01 (16) | C7ii—C7—C9 | 121.09 (11) |
C1i—C3—C2 | 116.46 (16) | C6—C8—C8ii | 116.60 (10) |
C1i—C3—C5 | 122.59 (16) | C6—C8—C10 | 122.53 (17) |
C2—C3—C5 | 120.94 (16) | C8ii—C8—C10 | 120.86 (11) |
C2—C4—H4A | 105.8 (16) | C7—C9—H9A | 109.9 (16) |
C2—C4—H4B | 116.2 (15) | C7—C9—H9B | 110.0 (14) |
H4A—C4—H4B | 111 (2) | H9A—C9—H9B | 108 (2) |
C2—C4—H4C | 109.0 (16) | C7—C9—H9C | 107.2 (17) |
H4A—C4—H4C | 107 (2) | H9A—C9—H9C | 109 (2) |
H4B—C4—H4C | 108 (2) | H9B—C9—H9C | 113 (2) |
C3—C5—H5A | 108.8 (16) | C8—C10—H10A | 110.1 (16) |
C3—C5—H5B | 112.5 (16) | C8—C10—H10B | 109.9 (16) |
H5A—C5—H5B | 112 (2) | H10A—C10—H10B | 109 (2) |
C3—C5—H5C | 111.9 (15) | C8—C10—H10C | 111.3 (18) |
H5A—C5—H5C | 108 (2) | H10A—C10—H10C | 107 (2) |
H5B—C5—H5C | 103 (2) | H10B—C10—H10C | 110 (2) |
O2—N1—O1 | 123.59 (16) | O3—N2—O4 | 123.93 (16) |
O2—N1—C1 | 118.38 (16) | O3—N2—C6 | 118.70 (15) |
O1—N1—C1 | 118.04 (15) | O4—N2—C6 | 117.36 (15) |
| | | |
C3i—C1—C2—C3 | 0.2 (3) | C8—C6—C7—C7ii | 0.0 (3) |
N1—C1—C2—C3 | 179.42 (14) | N2—C6—C7—C7ii | −178.62 (18) |
C3i—C1—C2—C4 | −178.51 (17) | C8—C6—C7—C9 | −179.86 (17) |
N1—C1—C2—C4 | 0.7 (3) | N2—C6—C7—C9 | 1.6 (3) |
C1—C2—C3—C1i | −0.2 (3) | C7—C6—C8—C8ii | −0.7 (3) |
C4—C2—C3—C1i | 178.55 (16) | N2—C6—C8—C8ii | 177.87 (18) |
C1—C2—C3—C5 | −179.35 (16) | C7—C6—C8—C10 | 179.20 (18) |
C4—C2—C3—C5 | −0.6 (3) | N2—C6—C8—C10 | −2.2 (3) |
C2—C1—N1—O2 | 85.9 (2) | C8—C6—N2—O3 | 79.9 (2) |
C3i—C1—N1—O2 | −94.8 (2) | C7—C6—N2—O3 | −101.37 (19) |
C2—C1—N1—O1 | −94.0 (2) | C8—C6—N2—O4 | −99.54 (19) |
C3i—C1—N1—O1 | 85.3 (2) | C7—C6—N2—O4 | 79.2 (2) |
Symmetry codes: (i) −x+1, −y+1, −z+1; (ii) −x+1, y, −z+3/2. |
(polymorph_II) 1,2,4,5-tetramethyl-3,6-dinitrobenzene
top
Crystal data top
C10H12N2O4 | F(000) = 944 |
Mr = 224.22 | Dx = 1.372 Mg m−3 |
Monoclinic, C2/c | Melting point: 486.3 K |
Hall symbol: -C 2yc | Mo Kα radiation, λ = 0.71073 Å |
a = 8.9592 (19) Å | Cell parameters from 65 reflections |
b = 15.313 (3) Å | θ = 5.1–12.1° |
c = 16.136 (4) Å | µ = 0.11 mm−1 |
β = 101.300 (13)° | T = 298 K |
V = 2170.8 (9) Å3 | Irregular, light violet |
Z = 8 | 0.40 × 0.30 × 0.16 mm |
Data collection top
Bruker P4 diffractometer | Rint = 0.036 |
Radiation source: fine-focus sealed tube, FN4 | θmax = 27.5°, θmin = 2.6° |
Graphite monochromator | h = −11→8 |
2θ/ω scans | k = −19→19 |
6214 measured reflections | l = −20→20 |
2492 independent reflections | 3 standard reflections every 97 reflections |
1423 reflections with I > 2σ(I) | intensity decay: 1.5% |
Refinement top
Refinement on F2 | Secondary atom site location: difference Fourier map |
Least-squares matrix: full | Hydrogen site location: difference Fourier map |
R[F2 > 2σ(F2)] = 0.051 | All H-atom parameters refined |
wR(F2) = 0.152 | w = 1/[σ2(Fo2) + (0.0599P)2 + 0.8126P] where P = (Fo2 + 2Fc2)/3 |
S = 1.06 | (Δ/σ)max < 0.001 |
2492 reflections | Δρmax = 0.19 e Å−3 |
223 parameters | Δρmin = −0.14 e Å−3 |
48 restraints | Extinction correction: SHELXL97 (Sheldrick, 2008), Fc*=kFc[1+0.001xFc2λ3/sin(2θ)]-1/4 |
0 constraints | Extinction coefficient: 0.0079 (14) |
Primary atom site location: structure-invariant direct methods | |
Crystal data top
C10H12N2O4 | V = 2170.8 (9) Å3 |
Mr = 224.22 | Z = 8 |
Monoclinic, C2/c | Mo Kα radiation |
a = 8.9592 (19) Å | µ = 0.11 mm−1 |
b = 15.313 (3) Å | T = 298 K |
c = 16.136 (4) Å | 0.40 × 0.30 × 0.16 mm |
β = 101.300 (13)° | |
Data collection top
Bruker P4 diffractometer | Rint = 0.036 |
6214 measured reflections | 3 standard reflections every 97 reflections |
2492 independent reflections | intensity decay: 1.5% |
1423 reflections with I > 2σ(I) | |
Refinement top
R[F2 > 2σ(F2)] = 0.051 | 48 restraints |
wR(F2) = 0.152 | All H-atom parameters refined |
S = 1.06 | Δρmax = 0.19 e Å−3 |
2492 reflections | Δρmin = −0.14 e Å−3 |
223 parameters | |
Fractional atomic coordinates and isotropic or equivalent isotropic displacement parameters (Å2) top | x | y | z | Uiso*/Ueq | Occ. (<1) |
C1 | 0.1149 (2) | 0.21810 (13) | 0.50352 (12) | 0.0502 (5) | |
C2 | 0.2316 (2) | 0.15849 (12) | 0.50620 (12) | 0.0520 (5) | |
C3 | 0.3747 (2) | 0.19240 (13) | 0.50241 (12) | 0.0515 (5) | |
C4 | 0.2064 (3) | 0.06200 (14) | 0.51183 (17) | 0.0718 (7) | |
H4A | 0.098 (2) | 0.046 (2) | 0.513 (3) | 0.071 (3)* | 0.621 (12) |
H4B | 0.277 (4) | 0.036 (2) | 0.5638 (17) | 0.071 (3)* | 0.621 (12) |
H4C | 0.239 (4) | 0.034 (2) | 0.4598 (17) | 0.071 (3)* | 0.621 (12) |
H4D | 0.169 (7) | 0.046 (3) | 0.566 (2) | 0.071 (3)* | 0.379 (12) |
H4E | 0.298 (4) | 0.023 (3) | 0.508 (4) | 0.071 (3)* | 0.379 (12) |
H4F | 0.121 (5) | 0.045 (3) | 0.462 (3) | 0.071 (3)* | 0.379 (12) |
C5 | 0.5097 (3) | 0.13376 (16) | 0.50392 (17) | 0.0695 (6) | |
H5A | 0.606 (3) | 0.166 (2) | 0.496 (3) | 0.071 (3)* | 0.621 (12) |
H5B | 0.484 (4) | 0.088 (2) | 0.4577 (18) | 0.071 (3)* | 0.621 (12) |
H5C | 0.535 (4) | 0.100 (2) | 0.5610 (15) | 0.071 (3)* | 0.621 (12) |
H5D | 0.546 (7) | 0.136 (4) | 0.448 (2) | 0.071 (3)* | 0.379 (12) |
H5E | 0.484 (6) | 0.0726 (19) | 0.518 (4) | 0.071 (3)* | 0.379 (12) |
H5F | 0.591 (5) | 0.160 (3) | 0.550 (3) | 0.071 (3)* | 0.379 (12) |
N1 | −0.0361 (2) | 0.18273 (13) | 0.50863 (13) | 0.0645 (5) | |
O1 | −0.1241 (2) | 0.16849 (17) | 0.44499 (13) | 0.1100 (8) | |
O2 | −0.0633 (2) | 0.16989 (17) | 0.57750 (12) | 0.1106 (8) | |
C6 | 0.5000 | 0.28452 (17) | 0.7500 | 0.0529 (7) | |
C7 | 0.3621 (2) | 0.24401 (13) | 0.74974 (12) | 0.0537 (5) | |
C8 | 0.3626 (2) | 0.15333 (13) | 0.75039 (11) | 0.0517 (5) | |
C9 | 0.5000 | 0.11309 (17) | 0.7500 | 0.0494 (6) | |
C10 | 0.2181 (3) | 0.29374 (18) | 0.75006 (18) | 0.0780 (7) | |
H10A | 0.238 (4) | 0.3580 (13) | 0.748 (2) | 0.071 (3)* | 0.621 (12) |
H10B | 0.176 (4) | 0.279 (2) | 0.8035 (15) | 0.071 (3)* | 0.621 (12) |
H10C | 0.140 (3) | 0.274 (2) | 0.6987 (16) | 0.071 (3)* | 0.621 (12) |
H10D | 0.181 (6) | 0.321 (4) | 0.6930 (17) | 0.071 (3)* | 0.379 (12) |
H10E | 0.236 (6) | 0.340 (3) | 0.796 (3) | 0.071 (3)* | 0.379 (12) |
H10F | 0.139 (5) | 0.250 (3) | 0.763 (4) | 0.071 (3)* | 0.379 (12) |
C11 | 0.2205 (3) | 0.10191 (18) | 0.75218 (17) | 0.0748 (7) | |
H11A | 0.133 (3) | 0.128 (2) | 0.7075 (19) | 0.071 (3)* | 0.621 (12) |
H11B | 0.190 (4) | 0.101 (2) | 0.8091 (12) | 0.071 (3)* | 0.621 (12) |
H11C | 0.229 (4) | 0.0368 (14) | 0.734 (2) | 0.071 (3)* | 0.621 (12) |
H11D | 0.139 (5) | 0.136 (3) | 0.775 (4) | 0.071 (3)* | 0.379 (12) |
H11E | 0.243 (6) | 0.044 (2) | 0.785 (3) | 0.071 (3)* | 0.379 (12) |
H11F | 0.178 (6) | 0.087 (4) | 0.6900 (14) | 0.071 (3)* | 0.379 (12) |
N2 | 0.5000 | 0.38077 (18) | 0.7500 | 0.0743 (8) | |
O3 | 0.4486 (3) | 0.41777 (12) | 0.68592 (13) | 0.1150 (8) | |
N3 | 0.5000 | 0.01670 (16) | 0.7500 | 0.0619 (7) | |
O4 | 0.4850 (2) | −0.02067 (11) | 0.68347 (11) | 0.0963 (7) | |
Atomic displacement parameters (Å2) top | U11 | U22 | U33 | U12 | U13 | U23 |
C1 | 0.0376 (10) | 0.0605 (12) | 0.0534 (11) | −0.0023 (9) | 0.0106 (8) | −0.0003 (9) |
C2 | 0.0453 (11) | 0.0509 (11) | 0.0595 (11) | 0.0002 (9) | 0.0092 (8) | −0.0010 (9) |
C3 | 0.0454 (11) | 0.0571 (12) | 0.0527 (11) | 0.0069 (9) | 0.0111 (8) | −0.0018 (9) |
C4 | 0.0663 (15) | 0.0525 (12) | 0.0938 (18) | −0.0005 (11) | 0.0087 (13) | 0.0015 (11) |
C5 | 0.0549 (14) | 0.0700 (15) | 0.0862 (16) | 0.0155 (11) | 0.0202 (12) | −0.0006 (12) |
N1 | 0.0431 (10) | 0.0774 (12) | 0.0743 (12) | −0.0036 (9) | 0.0149 (9) | 0.0048 (10) |
O1 | 0.0545 (10) | 0.180 (2) | 0.0905 (13) | −0.0356 (12) | 0.0034 (9) | −0.0063 (13) |
O2 | 0.0758 (13) | 0.175 (2) | 0.0882 (14) | −0.0304 (13) | 0.0329 (10) | 0.0234 (13) |
C6 | 0.0587 (17) | 0.0437 (15) | 0.0561 (16) | 0.000 | 0.0104 (13) | 0.000 |
C7 | 0.0476 (11) | 0.0566 (12) | 0.0572 (11) | 0.0063 (9) | 0.0112 (9) | −0.0043 (9) |
C8 | 0.0435 (11) | 0.0585 (12) | 0.0547 (11) | −0.0032 (9) | 0.0136 (8) | −0.0028 (9) |
C9 | 0.0509 (16) | 0.0456 (14) | 0.0526 (15) | 0.000 | 0.0127 (12) | 0.000 |
C10 | 0.0605 (15) | 0.0827 (17) | 0.0905 (18) | 0.0194 (13) | 0.0140 (13) | −0.0061 (14) |
C11 | 0.0550 (14) | 0.0858 (17) | 0.0877 (17) | −0.0184 (12) | 0.0239 (12) | −0.0065 (14) |
N2 | 0.092 (2) | 0.0534 (15) | 0.0762 (19) | 0.000 | 0.0141 (16) | 0.000 |
O3 | 0.181 (2) | 0.0633 (11) | 0.0924 (14) | 0.0316 (12) | 0.0069 (13) | 0.0147 (10) |
N3 | 0.0684 (16) | 0.0527 (14) | 0.0643 (15) | 0.000 | 0.0123 (12) | 0.000 |
O4 | 0.1449 (18) | 0.0611 (10) | 0.0804 (12) | 0.0085 (11) | 0.0162 (11) | −0.0170 (9) |
Geometric parameters (Å, º) top
C1—C3i | 1.378 (3) | C6—N2 | 1.474 (4) |
C1—C2 | 1.382 (3) | C7—C8 | 1.389 (3) |
C1—N1 | 1.475 (3) | C7—C10 | 1.499 (3) |
C2—C3 | 1.396 (3) | C8—C9 | 1.378 (2) |
C2—C4 | 1.500 (3) | C8—C11 | 1.502 (3) |
C3—C1i | 1.378 (3) | C9—C8ii | 1.378 (2) |
C3—C5 | 1.502 (3) | C9—N3 | 1.476 (4) |
C4—H4A | 1.005 (17) | C10—H10A | 1.003 (18) |
C4—H4B | 1.024 (17) | C10—H10B | 1.030 (17) |
C4—H4C | 1.034 (17) | C10—H10C | 1.020 (17) |
C4—H4D | 1.02 (2) | C10—H10D | 1.003 (19) |
C4—H4E | 1.03 (2) | C10—H10E | 1.02 (2) |
C4—H4F | 1.04 (2) | C10—H10F | 1.023 (19) |
C5—H5A | 1.024 (18) | C11—H11A | 1.035 (18) |
C5—H5B | 1.011 (17) | C11—H11B | 1.008 (18) |
C5—H5C | 1.038 (17) | C11—H11C | 1.046 (18) |
C5—H5D | 1.014 (19) | C11—H11D | 1.018 (19) |
C5—H5E | 1.004 (19) | C11—H11E | 1.03 (2) |
C5—H5F | 1.02 (2) | C11—H11F | 1.03 (2) |
N1—O1 | 1.186 (2) | N2—O3ii | 1.190 (2) |
N1—O2 | 1.200 (2) | N2—O3 | 1.190 (2) |
C6—C7 | 1.382 (2) | N3—O4 | 1.2006 (19) |
C6—C7ii | 1.382 (2) | N3—O4ii | 1.2006 (19) |
| | | |
C3i—C1—C2 | 126.77 (18) | C6—C7—C8 | 116.60 (18) |
C3i—C1—N1 | 116.35 (17) | C6—C7—C10 | 122.8 (2) |
C2—C1—N1 | 116.88 (18) | C8—C7—C10 | 120.6 (2) |
C1—C2—C3 | 116.64 (17) | C9—C8—C7 | 116.63 (18) |
C1—C2—C4 | 122.08 (19) | C9—C8—C11 | 121.8 (2) |
C3—C2—C4 | 121.27 (18) | C7—C8—C11 | 121.56 (19) |
C1i—C3—C2 | 116.59 (17) | C8ii—C9—C8 | 126.9 (2) |
C1i—C3—C5 | 122.05 (19) | C8ii—C9—N3 | 116.56 (12) |
C2—C3—C5 | 121.35 (19) | C8—C9—N3 | 116.56 (12) |
C2—C4—H4A | 114 (2) | C7—C10—H10A | 110 (2) |
C2—C4—H4B | 110.6 (19) | C7—C10—H10B | 110.3 (19) |
H4A—C4—H4B | 110 (2) | H10A—C10—H10B | 110 (2) |
C2—C4—H4C | 106.9 (19) | C7—C10—H10C | 107.4 (19) |
H4A—C4—H4C | 109 (2) | H10A—C10—H10C | 112 (2) |
H4B—C4—H4C | 106.2 (19) | H10B—C10—H10C | 108.2 (19) |
C2—C4—H4D | 112 (3) | C7—C10—H10D | 109 (3) |
H4A—C4—H4D | 57 (3) | H10A—C10—H10D | 66 (3) |
H4B—C4—H4D | 58 (3) | H10B—C10—H10D | 139 (4) |
H4C—C4—H4D | 141 (4) | H10C—C10—H10D | 48 (3) |
C2—C4—H4E | 116 (3) | C7—C10—H10E | 110 (3) |
H4A—C4—H4E | 130 (4) | H10A—C10—H10E | 48 (3) |
H4B—C4—H4E | 57 (3) | H10B—C10—H10E | 65 (3) |
H4C—C4—H4E | 50 (3) | H10C—C10—H10E | 142 (4) |
H4D—C4—H4E | 108 (2) | H10D—C10—H10E | 111 (3) |
C2—C4—H4F | 108 (3) | C7—C10—H10F | 107 (3) |
H4A—C4—H4F | 51 (3) | H10A—C10—H10F | 142 (4) |
H4B—C4—H4F | 142 (3) | H10B—C10—H10F | 46 (3) |
H4C—C4—H4F | 63 (3) | H10C—C10—H10F | 65 (3) |
H4D—C4—H4F | 107 (2) | H10D—C10—H10F | 110 (2) |
H4E—C4—H4F | 106 (2) | H10E—C10—H10F | 109 (2) |
C3—C5—H5A | 113.7 (19) | C8—C11—H11A | 107.9 (19) |
C3—C5—H5B | 109.4 (19) | C8—C11—H11B | 114.0 (19) |
H5A—C5—H5B | 108 (2) | H11A—C11—H11B | 110 (2) |
C3—C5—H5C | 110.0 (19) | C8—C11—H11C | 112.8 (19) |
H5A—C5—H5C | 107.9 (19) | H11A—C11—H11C | 105.3 (19) |
H5B—C5—H5C | 107.2 (19) | H11B—C11—H11C | 106.9 (19) |
C3—C5—H5D | 111 (3) | C8—C11—H11D | 114 (3) |
H5A—C5—H5D | 57 (3) | H11A—C11—H11D | 63 (3) |
H5B—C5—H5D | 56 (3) | H11B—C11—H11D | 49 (3) |
H5C—C5—H5D | 138 (4) | H11C—C11—H11D | 133 (4) |
C3—C5—H5E | 110 (3) | C8—C11—H11E | 112 (3) |
H5A—C5—H5E | 136 (4) | H11A—C11—H11E | 137 (3) |
H5B—C5—H5E | 60 (3) | H11B—C11—H11E | 65 (3) |
H5C—C5—H5E | 50 (3) | H11C—C11—H11E | 46 (3) |
H5D—C5—H5E | 111 (2) | H11D—C11—H11E | 110 (2) |
C3—C5—H5F | 103 (3) | C8—C11—H11F | 105 (3) |
H5A—C5—H5F | 53 (3) | H11A—C11—H11F | 47 (3) |
H5B—C5—H5F | 147 (3) | H11B—C11—H11F | 140 (4) |
H5C—C5—H5F | 63 (3) | H11C—C11—H11F | 63 (3) |
H5D—C5—H5F | 109 (2) | H11D—C11—H11F | 108 (2) |
H5E—C5—H5F | 111 (2) | H11E—C11—H11F | 107 (2) |
O1—N1—O2 | 123.4 (2) | O3ii—N2—O3 | 123.1 (3) |
O1—N1—C1 | 118.73 (18) | O3ii—N2—C6 | 118.44 (15) |
O2—N1—C1 | 117.84 (19) | O3—N2—C6 | 118.44 (15) |
C7—C6—C7ii | 126.6 (2) | O4—N3—O4ii | 123.1 (3) |
C7—C6—N2 | 116.68 (12) | O4—N3—C9 | 118.46 (13) |
C7ii—C6—N2 | 116.68 (12) | O4ii—N3—C9 | 118.46 (13) |
| | | |
C3i—C1—C2—C3 | −0.1 (3) | C6—C7—C8—C9 | −0.9 (2) |
N1—C1—C2—C3 | −179.22 (16) | C10—C7—C8—C9 | 179.97 (17) |
C3i—C1—C2—C4 | −179.4 (2) | C6—C7—C8—C11 | 178.59 (16) |
N1—C1—C2—C4 | 1.5 (3) | C10—C7—C8—C11 | −0.5 (3) |
C1—C2—C3—C1i | 0.1 (3) | C7—C8—C9—C8ii | 0.48 (12) |
C4—C2—C3—C1i | 179.4 (2) | C11—C8—C9—C8ii | −179.0 (2) |
C1—C2—C3—C5 | −179.37 (18) | C7—C8—C9—N3 | −179.52 (12) |
C4—C2—C3—C5 | −0.1 (3) | C11—C8—C9—N3 | 1.0 (2) |
C3i—C1—N1—O1 | 86.5 (3) | C7—C6—N2—O3ii | 104.49 (17) |
C2—C1—N1—O1 | −94.3 (3) | C7ii—C6—N2—O3ii | −75.51 (17) |
C3i—C1—N1—O2 | −93.5 (3) | C7—C6—N2—O3 | −75.51 (17) |
C2—C1—N1—O2 | 85.7 (3) | C7ii—C6—N2—O3 | 104.49 (17) |
C7ii—C6—C7—C8 | 0.48 (12) | C8ii—C9—N3—O4 | −85.58 (15) |
N2—C6—C7—C8 | −179.52 (12) | C8—C9—N3—O4 | 94.42 (15) |
C7ii—C6—C7—C10 | 179.6 (2) | C8ii—C9—N3—O4ii | 94.42 (15) |
N2—C6—C7—C10 | −0.4 (2) | C8—C9—N3—O4ii | −85.58 (15) |
Symmetry codes: (i) −x+1/2, −y+1/2, −z+1; (ii) −x+1, y, −z+3/2. |
Experimental details
| (polymorph_I) | (polymorph_II) |
Crystal data |
Chemical formula | C10H12N2O4 | C10H12N2O4 |
Mr | 224.22 | 224.22 |
Crystal system, space group | Monoclinic, C2/c | Monoclinic, C2/c |
Temperature (K) | 180 | 298 |
a, b, c (Å) | 15.1088 (11), 8.9454 (5), 15.9300 (13) | 8.9592 (19), 15.313 (3), 16.136 (4) |
β (°) | 100.131 (8) | 101.300 (13) |
V (Å3) | 2119.4 (3) | 2170.8 (9) |
Z | 8 | 8 |
Radiation type | Mo Kα | Mo Kα |
µ (mm−1) | 0.11 | 0.11 |
Crystal size (mm) | 0.46 × 0.34 × 0.13 | 0.40 × 0.30 × 0.16 |
|
Data collection |
Diffractometer | Oxford-Diffraction Xcalibur diffractometer | Bruker P4 diffractometer |
Absorption correction | – | – |
No. of measured, independent and observed [I > 2σ(I)] reflections | 7776, 2155, 1551 | 6214, 2492, 1423 |
Rint | 0.062 | 0.036 |
(sin θ/λ)max (Å−1) | 0.625 | 0.650 |
|
Refinement |
R[F2 > 2σ(F2)], wR(F2), S | 0.047, 0.130, 1.08 | 0.051, 0.152, 1.06 |
No. of reflections | 2155 | 2492 |
No. of parameters | 182 | 223 |
No. of restraints | 0 | 48 |
H-atom treatment | All H-atom parameters refined | All H-atom parameters refined |
Δρmax, Δρmin (e Å−3) | 0.21, −0.19 | 0.19, −0.14 |
Durene (1,2,4,5-tetramethylbenzene), (1), is a highly symmetric molecule belonging to point group D2h (Prince et al., 1973). Numerous homo-3,6-disubstituted durene derivatives have been prepared, one of the first being 3,6-dinitrodurene, obtained by direct nitration of durene (Smith & Dobrovolny, 1926). A preliminary X-ray characterization of this molecule appeared 50 years ago, which reports cell parameters and space group (Trotter, 1959). However, for unclear reasons, that characterization was never completed. In the general class of D2h-durene derivatives, polymorphism is unusual and has been clearly described to date only for hexamethylbenzene (Le Maguères et al., 2001). We have now detected that at least two C2/c polymorphs are stabilized for the title molecule, and report here their structures.
The title compound was initially synthesized as a starting material for the preparation of polyimide membranes intended for gas separation. During the purification of this material, one batch was recrystallized from methanol, affording, as invariably described in the literature, well shaped colourless crystals (polymorph I hereafter). However, another batch, serendipitously left in the dark and under an inert atmosphere, gave irregular purple crystals (polymorph II hereafter). Providing that crystallizations are carried out as slowly as possible, pure phases may be obtained and concomitant polymorphs were not observed.
All D2h-durene derivatives previously characterized by X-ray analysis crystallize with the molecule(s) placed on an inversion centre (e.g. tetramethylhydroquinone: Pennington et al., 1986; dicyanodurene: Britton & van Rij, 1991). By contrast, the title compound is a Z' = 1 structure with two half-molecules per asymmetric unit in both phases. One molecule is located on an inversion centre and the other molecule on a twofold axis. The dimorphism results from the position of the C2 molecule in the cell. Indeed, two special orientations are consistent for this molecule in the space group C2/c, assuming an ideal D2h molecular symmetry. The crystallographic twofold axis may correspond to the molecular C2 axis containing the N atoms of the nitro groups, or to the other C2 axis in the same plane and normal to the first. The latter arrangement is found in polymorph I (Fig. 1), while the former is observed in polymorph II (Fig. 2), a situation reminiscent of that reported for another dimorphic D2h molecule, namely 2,3,5,6-tetraphenylpyrazine (Bartnik et al., 1999). As a consequence, all atoms in polymorph I are located in general positions, while in polymorph II, atoms C6, C9, N2 and N3 are in special positions. The unit cells have approximately identical parameters and volumes, with a different orientation for the binary axis. The polymorphism in a single space group seems to be a poorly documented matter, probably because it is an uncommon phenomenon. It should, however, arise for good reasons rather than on a random basis, and thus deserves efforts to be understood. For example, it was recently claimed that a specific crystal nucleation mechanism may be related to the existence of nonconcomitant polymorphs (Burley & Prior, 2006).
Polymorphism does not affect significantly the molecular structure of the title molecule. As expected, the nitro groups are almost perpendicular to the benzene rings in order to avoid steric hindrance with the methyl substituents. Such a resonance inhibition is common in polysubstituted nitrobenzene derivatives (e.g. 1,2,4,5-tetrachloro-3,6-dinitrobenzene: Wigand et al., 1987) and is not surprising, as it has been shown that the energy required for tilting a nitro group out of a benzene plane is rather low (Dashevskii et al., 1966). In polymorph I, dihedral angle between the nitro and benzene mean planes is 85.60 (10)° for the centrosymmetric molecule and 79.76 (8)° in the other molecule. In polymorph II, the centrosymmetric molecule has nitro groups titled as in polymorph I, δ = 86.11 (13)°, while the C2 molecule has two nitro-tilting angles, viz. 75.75 (15) and 85.82 (13)°.
Both crystal structures are built up of mixed stacks alternating centrosymmetric and C2 molecules. In polymorph I, stacks run along the [001] axis (Fig. 1, inset), giving a separation between molecules close to c/4, as already devised by Trotter (1959), who noted that reflection (004) has a strong intensity. Actually, centroids of neighbouring benzene rings in polymorph I are separated by 4.238 (1)Å, with a dihedral angle of 4.01 (5)°. In polymorph II, although the stack orientation deviates from cell axis c (Fig. 2, inset), the geometric parameters are very close to those observed in form I: molecules are separated by 4.285 (1)Å and tilted by 3.99 (5)°. In both forms, nitro groups within a stack adopt a staggered arrangement, minimizing intermolecular hindrance.
Finally, an obvious concern is to explain why, despite so similar molecular and crystal structures, polymorphs I and II present different colours in the solid state. X-ray structures of isomers of the title compound have been reported. m-Dinitrodurene is a colourless solid, with molecules packed at a 4.342Å distance and parallel in a stack (Ori et al., 1989). o-Dinitrodurene is reported as a yellow solid, and molecules are separated by 4.119 or 4.215Å (Sgarabotto et al., 1989). In that case, the yellow colour is likely a consequence of the shift of the π → π* transition expected for a benzene ring substituted by two σ-electron withdrawing chromophores. The situation is completely different in form II of p-dinitrodurene, which presents a well defined absorption at λ = 598 nm, even when highly diluted in tetrahydrofuran (Fig. 3). In the visible range, polymorph I does not absorb at all in solution. On the other hand, π → π* and n → π* transitions of nitro groups are known to be characterized by low extinction coefficients. We thus assume than some kind of agostic (attractive) interaction allows the molecules to arrange as dimers or oligomers in solution in the case of polymorph II, and that such an arrangement survives the nucleation step. The resulting π–π interactions would then account for the visible absorption. Slow crystallization in noncontrolled conditions can produce the colourless polymorph I, indicating that the agostic interactions are low in energy.