Crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of 2-(4-nitrophenyl)-2-oxoethyl benzoate

Abstract

The title compound, C15H11NO5, is relatively planar, with the planes of the two aromatic rings being inclined to each other by 3.09 (5)°. In the crystal, molecules are linked by a pair of C—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming inversion dimers, which enclose an R 2 2(16) ring motif. The dimers are linked by a further pair of C—H...O hydrogen-bonds forming ribbons enclosing R 4 4(26) ring motifs. The ribbons are linked by offset π–π interactions [centroid–centroid distances = 3.6754 (6)–3.7519 (6) Å] to form layers parallel to the ac plane. Through Hirshfeld surface analyses, the d norm surfaces, electrostatic potential and two-dimensional fingerprint (FP) plots were examined to verify the contributions of the different intermolecular contacts within the supramolecular structure. The shape-index surface shows that two sides of the molecule are involved with the same contacts in neighbouring molecules, and the curvedness plot shows flat surface patches that are characteristic of planar stacking.