The Crystal and Molecular Structure of 4'-Cyanophenyl-4-n-Pentylbenzoate

Abstract

The crystal and molecular structure of the title compound with the formula C₅H¹¹—C₆H₄—COO—C₆H₄—CN (CPPB) has been determined by X-ray diffraction methods. CPPB crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n with eight molecules in a unit cell of dimensions a = 15.268(2) Å, b = 9.165(1) Å, c = 24.031(3) Å, β = 94.67(1)°. The structure has been solved by direct methods and refined to an R value of 0.070.

The CPPB molecules adopt a stretched form and are packed in an approximate parallel imbricated mode, the molecular long axes making an angle of about 5° with the crystal c axis. The molecular geometry and packing are discussed in relation to the mesomorphic behavior of CPPB.