Seven hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA) complexes with mono- and dicarboxylic acids: analysis of packing modes of HMTA complexes in the literature

Abstract

The crystal structures of seven hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA) complexes, or co-crystals, with carboxylic acid donor molecules are reported to explain the link between the molecular structure of HMTA and the crystal structure of the co-crystals, i.e. the dimension and shape of their hydrogen-bonded assembly. A comprehensive and detailed literature survey of HMTA complexes (38), be they neutral co-crystals or salts, with molecules containing carboxylic acid and phenol functional groups reveals that in general two N acceptors are used for strong O—H...N interactions. Owing to the relative arrangement of two of the four N atoms, the most common type of assembly features one-dimensional zigzag chains. Weak interactions of the C—H...N type are formed by N atoms not involved in strong interactions. These chains also form the basis of two-dimensional assemblies. These one- and two-dimensional assemblies feature either two or three functional groups. If only one functional group is on the donor molecule, then wing or V-shaped zero-dimensional assemblies are formed, which can be considered to be the building blocks for one- and two-dimensional assemblies. In general, the HMTA molecules form two-dimensional layers which are stabilized by weak hydrogen bonds. Co-crystals with cyclohexylcarboxylic acid (I), 4-fluorobenzoic acid (II), 4-methylbenzoic acid (III) and cinnamic acid (IV) all feature the V-shaped zero-dimensional assemblies. Co-crystals with cis-1,4-cyclohexyldicarboxylic acid (VI) and trans-1,4-cyclohexylcarboxylic acid (VII) feature the zigzag chains and can be structurally derived from co-crystal (I). Co-crystal (V), with 4-nitrobenzoic acid, has solvent water included and features hydrogen bonding to all four N atoms of the HMTA molecule.