supplementary materials


HTML versionpdf versioncif file3d viewstructure factorssupplementary materialsCIF check reportsimilar papers Open access

fj2321 scheme

Acta Cryst. (2010). E66, o1915    [ doi:10.1107/S1600536810024980 ]

1-Methyl-3,5-bis(3-methylphenyl)benzene

D.-G. Xia, K.-W. Lei, J. Li and Z.-Y. Su

Abstract top

In the title compound, C21H20, the dihedral angles formed by the central benzene ring with the outer benzene rings are 21.43 (6) and 31.70 (4)°. The crystal packing is stabilized by a weak [pi]-[pi] stacking interaction, with a centroid-centroid distance of 3.843 (3) Å.

Comment top

Sterically crowding ligands have been used with remarkable success in inorganic and organometallic chemistry over the past three decades. They have allowed the first syntheses of molecules featuring previously unknown bonding types, geometries, electron configurations or oxidation states.Recent work has also described the use of m-terphenyls that allowed the synthesis of several new compound classes that were not accessible by using other bulky ligands(Corneliu Stanciu et al., 2006). The use of the m-terphenyl substituent has facilitated the synthesis of numerous unusual molecules containing main group elements;because these molecules are formed by three phenyl rings connected by two C—C bonds, characteristic conformational changes occur with the rotations around the C—C bonds (Amorim da Costa et al., 1997). Herein we report the synthesis and crystal structure of a new terphenyl compound.

The molecular structure of the title compound is illustrated in Fig. 1. Bond lengths and bond angles are within normal ranges.The dihedral angle formed by the peripheral C8—C13 and C15—C20 benzene rings with the central C2—C7 benzene ring are 21.43 (6) and 31.70 (4)° respectively. The mean centroid-to-centroid distance of 3.843 (3)Å between the planes of adjacent C15—C20 benzene rings in the crystal packing, suggests that the molecules are engaged in offset face-to-face π-π stacking interactions(Fig. 2).

Related literature top

For conformational studies on terphenyls, see: Amorim da Costa et al. (1997); Stanciu et al. (2006).

Experimental top

1,3-dibromo-5-methylbenzene(88.1 mmol,22.02 g), 3-methylphenylboronic acid (211.6 mmol, 28.77 g)and triphenylphosphine (17.62 mmol, 4.62 g) were dissolved in 1,2-dimethoxyethoxyethane (120 ml).240 ml of a 2M K2CO3 (480 mmol)aqueous solution were added and the mixture was purged with nitrogen. Palladium acetate (0.988 g;0.025eq.)was added and the mixture was refluxed for 18 h.The two phases were then separated and the aqueous phase was extracted with ethyl acetate(3 X 250 ml).The combined organic phases were washed with water (250 ml) and were dried over MgSO4.After evaporation of the solvent,the oily residue was purified by bulb-to-bulb distillation to afford the crude title compound. Recrystallization from ethyl acetate gave colourless crystal after 3 days.Yield:83.7%.Calcd.for C21H20:C,92.65; H,7.35;Found:C,91.78;H,7.08%.

Refinement top

All H atoms were placed in geometrically idealized positions and treated as riding on their parent atoms, with C—H = 0.93–0.96 Å, and with Uiso(H) = 1.2Ueq(C) or 1.5Ueq(C) for methyl H atoms.

Computing details top

Data collection: APEX2 (Bruker, 2007); cell refinement: SAINT (Bruker, 2007); data reduction: SAINT (Bruker, 2007); program(s) used to solve structure: SHELXS97 (Sheldrick, 2008); program(s) used to refine structure: SHELXL97 (Sheldrick, 2008); molecular graphics: SHELXTL (Sheldrick, 2008); software used to prepare material for publication: SHELXTL (Sheldrick, 2008).

Figures top
[Figure 1] Fig. 1. The structure of (I), showing 30% probability displacement ellipsoids and the atom-numbering scheme.
[Figure 2] Fig. 2. Packing diagram of the title compound.
1-Methyl-3,5-bis(3-methylphenyl)benzene top
Crystal data top
C21H20F(000) = 1168
Mr = 272.37Dx = 1.200 Mg m−3
Orthorhombic, PbcaMo Kα radiation, λ = 0.71073 Å
Hall symbol: -P 2ac 2abCell parameters from 6268 reflections
a = 7.6406 (7) Åθ = 2.5–27.4°
b = 12.0326 (11) ŵ = 0.07 mm−1
c = 32.797 (3) ÅT = 296 K
V = 3015.3 (5) Å3Block, colourless
Z = 80.43 × 0.26 × 0.22 mm
Data collection top
Bruker SMART APEXII
diffractometer		2644 independent reflections
Radiation source: fine-focus sealed tube2278 reflections with I > 2σ(I)
graphiteRint = 0.036
φ and ω scansθmax = 25.0°, θmin = 2.5°
Absorption correction: multi-scan
(SADABS; Sheldrick, 2000)		h = −9→9
Tmin = 0.979, Tmax = 0.985k = −14→14
20126 measured reflectionsl = −39→38
Refinement top
Refinement on F2Primary atom site location: structure-invariant direct methods
Least-squares matrix: fullSecondary atom site location: difference Fourier map
R[F2 > 2σ(F2)] = 0.041Hydrogen site location: inferred from neighbouring sites
wR(F2) = 0.112H-atom parameters constrained
S = 1.05 w = 1/[σ2(Fo2) + (0.053P)2 + 1.5497P]
where P = (Fo2 + 2Fc2)/3
2644 reflections(Δ/σ)max < 0.001
193 parametersΔρmax = 0.27 e Å−3
0 restraintsΔρmin = −0.28 e Å−3
Crystal data top
C21H20V = 3015.3 (5) Å3
Mr = 272.37Z = 8
Orthorhombic, PbcaMo Kα radiation
a = 7.6406 (7) ŵ = 0.07 mm−1
b = 12.0326 (11) ÅT = 296 K
c = 32.797 (3) Å0.43 × 0.26 × 0.22 mm
Data collection top
Bruker SMART APEXII
diffractometer		2644 independent reflections
Absorption correction: multi-scan
(SADABS; Sheldrick, 2000)		2278 reflections with I > 2σ(I)
Tmin = 0.979, Tmax = 0.985Rint = 0.036
20126 measured reflectionsθmax = 25.0°
Refinement top
R[F2 > 2σ(F2)] = 0.041H-atom parameters constrained
wR(F2) = 0.112Δρmax = 0.27 e Å−3
S = 1.05Δρmin = −0.28 e Å−3
2644 reflectionsAbsolute structure: ?
193 parametersFlack parameter: ?
0 restraintsRogers parameter: ?
Special details top

Geometry. All e.s.d.'s (except the e.s.d. in the dihedral angle between two l.s. planes) are estimated using the full covariance matrix. The cell e.s.d.'s are taken into account individually in the estimation of e.s.d.'s in distances, angles and torsion angles; correlations between e.s.d.'s in cell parameters are only used when they are defined by crystal symmetry. An approximate (isotropic) treatment of cell e.s.d.'s is used for estimating e.s.d.'s involving l.s. planes.

Refinement. Refinement of F2 against ALL reflections. The weighted R-factor wR and goodness of fit S are based on F2, conventional R-factors R are based on F, with F set to zero for negative F2. The threshold expression of F2 > σ(F2) is used only for calculating R-factors(gt) etc. and is not relevant to the choice of reflections for refinement. R-factors based on F2 are statistically about twice as large as those based on F, and R- factors based on ALL data will be even larger.

Fractional atomic coordinates and isotropic or equivalent isotropic displacement parameters (Å2) top
xyzUiso*/Ueq
C10.0076 (2)0.05890 (13)0.14273 (5)0.0304 (4)
H1A0.05500.05060.16970.046*
H1B0.07310.01380.12400.046*
H1C−0.11260.03570.14270.046*
C20.01904 (19)0.17904 (12)0.12994 (5)0.0237 (3)
C3−0.01589 (19)0.26372 (13)0.15779 (5)0.0243 (3)
H3A−0.04530.24520.18440.029*
C4−0.00781 (19)0.37595 (12)0.14669 (4)0.0221 (3)
C50.03488 (19)0.40135 (12)0.10636 (4)0.0222 (3)
H5A0.03880.47550.09840.027*
C60.07185 (19)0.31898 (12)0.07760 (4)0.0214 (3)
C70.06397 (19)0.20792 (12)0.09019 (4)0.0231 (3)
H7A0.08940.15200.07150.028*
C8−0.1845 (2)0.53195 (14)0.23846 (5)0.0312 (4)
H8A−0.25100.51740.26160.037*
C9−0.1251 (2)0.63898 (14)0.23108 (5)0.0301 (4)
H9A−0.15240.69560.24930.036*
C10−0.0250 (2)0.66247 (13)0.19661 (5)0.0263 (4)
C110.0137 (2)0.57517 (13)0.17008 (4)0.0243 (3)
H11A0.08180.58970.14720.029*
C12−0.04596 (19)0.46664 (13)0.17657 (4)0.0229 (3)
C13−0.1455 (2)0.44670 (14)0.21164 (4)0.0274 (4)
H13A−0.18590.37530.21700.033*
C140.0387 (2)0.77826 (13)0.18766 (5)0.0346 (4)
H14A0.04590.81970.21260.052*
H14B−0.04140.81430.16940.052*
H14C0.15240.77470.17530.052*
C150.1183 (2)0.34962 (12)0.03493 (4)0.0226 (3)
C160.07320 (19)0.28196 (12)0.00195 (4)0.0229 (3)
H16A0.01140.21670.00670.027*
C170.1186 (2)0.30979 (13)−0.03800 (4)0.0251 (4)
C180.2084 (2)0.40874 (13)−0.04463 (5)0.0289 (4)
H18A0.23930.4289−0.07100.035*
C190.2521 (2)0.47750 (13)−0.01241 (5)0.0319 (4)
H19A0.31110.5438−0.01730.038*
C200.2085 (2)0.44820 (13)0.02705 (5)0.0285 (4)
H20A0.23960.49460.04850.034*
C210.0716 (2)0.23510 (15)−0.07326 (5)0.0342 (4)
H21A0.17640.2128−0.08720.051*
H21B−0.00330.2745−0.09180.051*
H21C0.01190.1705−0.06320.051*
Atomic displacement parameters (Å2) top
U11U22U33U12U13U23
C10.0354 (9)0.0265 (8)0.0292 (9)−0.0017 (7)−0.0011 (7)0.0040 (7)
C20.0204 (7)0.0242 (8)0.0266 (8)−0.0010 (6)−0.0030 (6)0.0027 (6)
C30.0235 (8)0.0291 (8)0.0203 (8)−0.0007 (6)−0.0013 (6)0.0038 (6)
C40.0187 (7)0.0258 (8)0.0219 (8)0.0004 (6)−0.0023 (6)−0.0004 (6)
C50.0227 (7)0.0207 (7)0.0233 (8)−0.0004 (6)−0.0013 (6)0.0009 (6)
C60.0194 (7)0.0236 (8)0.0213 (8)−0.0004 (6)−0.0009 (6)0.0002 (6)
C70.0228 (8)0.0228 (8)0.0237 (8)0.0005 (6)−0.0009 (6)−0.0025 (6)
C80.0308 (9)0.0412 (10)0.0217 (8)0.0059 (7)0.0034 (6)0.0008 (7)
C90.0328 (9)0.0351 (9)0.0225 (8)0.0109 (7)−0.0030 (7)−0.0064 (7)
C100.0265 (8)0.0289 (8)0.0233 (8)0.0062 (7)−0.0056 (6)−0.0024 (6)
C110.0241 (8)0.0281 (8)0.0208 (8)0.0037 (6)−0.0003 (6)0.0008 (6)
C120.0207 (7)0.0282 (8)0.0197 (7)0.0034 (6)−0.0037 (6)0.0006 (6)
C130.0273 (8)0.0318 (9)0.0231 (8)0.0000 (7)−0.0001 (6)0.0020 (6)
C140.0411 (10)0.0293 (9)0.0333 (9)0.0036 (7)−0.0005 (8)−0.0058 (7)
C150.0232 (8)0.0208 (7)0.0239 (8)0.0035 (6)0.0025 (6)0.0018 (6)
C160.0238 (7)0.0206 (8)0.0241 (8)0.0020 (6)0.0017 (6)0.0008 (6)
C170.0230 (8)0.0287 (8)0.0237 (8)0.0092 (6)0.0005 (6)0.0013 (6)
C180.0297 (9)0.0308 (9)0.0261 (8)0.0073 (7)0.0069 (6)0.0091 (7)
C190.0349 (9)0.0253 (9)0.0353 (9)−0.0024 (7)0.0075 (7)0.0058 (7)
C200.0325 (9)0.0240 (8)0.0291 (8)−0.0019 (7)0.0028 (7)−0.0018 (7)
C210.0396 (10)0.0403 (10)0.0228 (8)0.0038 (8)−0.0007 (7)−0.0001 (7)
Geometric parameters (Å, °) top
C1—C21.508 (2)C11—C121.399 (2)
C1—H1A0.9600C11—H11A0.9300
C1—H1B0.9600C12—C131.399 (2)
C1—H1C0.9600C13—H13A0.9300
C2—C71.392 (2)C14—H14A0.9600
C2—C31.394 (2)C14—H14B0.9600
C3—C41.400 (2)C14—H14C0.9600
C3—H3A0.9300C15—C201.396 (2)
C4—C51.396 (2)C15—C161.397 (2)
C4—C121.495 (2)C16—C171.396 (2)
C5—C61.397 (2)C16—H16A0.9300
C5—H5A0.9300C17—C181.391 (2)
C6—C71.400 (2)C17—C211.508 (2)
C6—C151.490 (2)C18—C191.383 (2)
C7—H7A0.9300C18—H18A0.9300
C8—C131.384 (2)C19—C201.382 (2)
C8—C91.387 (2)C19—H19A0.9300
C8—H8A0.9300C20—H20A0.9300
C9—C101.394 (2)C21—H21A0.9600
C9—H9A0.9300C21—H21B0.9600
C10—C111.396 (2)C21—H21C0.9600
C10—C141.505 (2)
C2—C1—H1A109.5C11—C12—C13117.51 (14)
C2—C1—H1B109.5C11—C12—C4121.19 (13)
H1A—C1—H1B109.5C13—C12—C4121.28 (14)
C2—C1—H1C109.5C8—C13—C12120.82 (15)
H1A—C1—H1C109.5C8—C13—H13A119.6
H1B—C1—H1C109.5C12—C13—H13A119.6
C7—C2—C3118.57 (14)C10—C14—H14A109.5
C7—C2—C1120.93 (14)C10—C14—H14B109.5
C3—C2—C1120.50 (14)H14A—C14—H14B109.5
C2—C3—C4121.77 (14)C10—C14—H14C109.5
C2—C3—H3A119.1H14A—C14—H14C109.5
C4—C3—H3A119.1H14B—C14—H14C109.5
C5—C4—C3117.88 (14)C20—C15—C16118.27 (14)
C5—C4—C12120.44 (13)C20—C15—C6120.11 (13)
C3—C4—C12121.68 (13)C16—C15—C6121.63 (13)
C4—C5—C6122.12 (14)C17—C16—C15121.71 (14)
C4—C5—H5A118.9C17—C16—H16A119.1
C6—C5—H5A118.9C15—C16—H16A119.1
C5—C6—C7117.99 (13)C18—C17—C16118.33 (14)
C5—C6—C15120.45 (13)C18—C17—C21120.49 (14)
C7—C6—C15121.56 (13)C16—C17—C21121.18 (14)
C2—C7—C6121.66 (14)C19—C18—C17120.77 (14)
C2—C7—H7A119.2C19—C18—H18A119.6
C6—C7—H7A119.2C17—C18—H18A119.6
C13—C8—C9120.46 (15)C20—C19—C18120.31 (15)
C13—C8—H8A119.8C20—C19—H19A119.8
C9—C8—H8A119.8C18—C19—H19A119.8
C8—C9—C10120.63 (14)C19—C20—C15120.60 (15)
C8—C9—H9A119.7C19—C20—H20A119.7
C10—C9—H9A119.7C15—C20—H20A119.7
C9—C10—C11117.98 (15)C17—C21—H21A109.5
C9—C10—C14121.56 (14)C17—C21—H21B109.5
C11—C10—C14120.46 (14)H21A—C21—H21B109.5
C10—C11—C12122.60 (14)C17—C21—H21C109.5
C10—C11—H11A118.7H21A—C21—H21C109.5
C12—C11—H11A118.7H21B—C21—H21C109.5
Acknowledgements top

This project was supported by the Talent Fund of Ningbo University (grant No. 2008087) and sponsored by the K. C. Wong Magna Fund in Ningbo University.

references
References top

Amorim da Costa, A. M., Karger, N., Amado, A. M. & Becucci, M. (1997). Solid State Ionics, 97, 115–121.

Bruker (2007). APEX2 and SAINT. Bruker AXS Inc., Madison, Wisconsin, USA.

Sheldrick, G. M. (2000). SADABS.University of Göttingen, Germany.

Sheldrick, G. M. (2008). Acta Cryst. A64, 112–122.

Stanciu, C., Richards, A. F., Fettinger, J. C., Brynda, M. & Power, P. P. (2006). J. Organomet. Chem. 691, 2540–2545