High-pressure X-ray diffraction study of dimedone

Abstract

Dimedone (i.e. 5.5-dimethyl-I,3-cyclohexanedione) crystals, C₈HI₁₂O₂, have been studied at high pressures by X-ray diffraction using a Merrill-Bassett diamond-anvil cell. The unit-cell dimensions have been measured to 1.20(5) GPa and the structure has been determined at 0.95(5) GPa. The crystal compressibility is strongly anisotropic and non-linear, relatively strong compressibility of the crystals is observed along the helices of the hydrogen-bonded molecules. Small anomalous changes of the unit-cell dimensions are observed between 0.1 and 50 MPa. The main structural changes are compression of intermolecular contacts, but also an alongation of the O=C bond—accompanied with the compression of the hydrogen bond involving the carbonyl oxygen atom—has been observed. This elongation is consistent with similar effects reported on compression of the hydrogen bonds in 1,3-cyclohexanedione and 2-methyl-1,3-cyclopentanedione. Crystal data for the dimedone structure at 0.95 GPa: monoclinic, P2₁/c, a=9.909(6), b= 6.505(3), c=12.313(6) Å, β=14.51°, V=722.1(5) Å, Z=4, R=0.139 for 336 independent reflections.

Key Words:

• High pressure
• molecular crystals
• hydrogen bond
• intermolecular interactions.