1,13-Tridecanediol

The crystal structure of tridecane-1,13-diol, C₁₃H₂₈O₂, a model for liquid crystals, has been determined by X-ray diffraction. The molecules form a layer structure along the a axis as in a smectic A liquid crystal. The skeleton of the molecule has an all-trans conformation. One of the terminal hydroxyl groups is in a gauche conformation, while the other is trans.

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