The structure of ortho-(trifluoromethyl)phenol in comparison to its homologues – A combined experimental and theoretical study

Abstract

AbstractThe molecular and crystal structure of commercially-availableortho-(trifluoromethyl)phenol were determined by means of single-crystal X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and represent the first structural characterization of anortho-substituted (trihalomethyl) phenol. The unexpected presence of a defined hydrate in the solid state was observed.Intermolecular contacts and hydrogen bonding were analyzed. The compound was further characterized by means of multi-nuclear nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy (1H,13C{1H},19F) and Fourier-Transform infrared (FT-IR) vibrational spectroscopy. To assess the bonding situation as well as potential reaction sites for reactions with nucleophiles and electrophiles in the compound by means of natural bonding orbital (NBO) analyses, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed for the title compound as well as its homologous chlorine, bromine and iodine compounds. As far as possible, experimental data were correlated to DFT data.