Different packing in three polymorphs of 2,4,6-trimethoxy-1,3,5-triazine

2,4,6-Trimethoxy-1,3,5-triazine was found to exhibit three different polymorphs. The alpha-polymorph undergoes reversible phase transformation to the beta-polymorph at 340 K with an enthalpy of 3.9 kJ mol(-1). The heat of fusion of the beta-polymorph at 404 K is 18.1 kJ mol(-1). The low-tempreature phase (alpha-polymorph) crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pnma. The high-temperature phase (beta-polymorph) can be obtained from the melt and cystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1). The gamma-polymorph is obtained by crystallization from a 1: 1 mixture of methanol and methylene-chloride from hydrolyzed 2,4-dimethoxy-6-oxybenzophenone1,3,5-triazine. The gamma-polymorph melts at 409 K with an enthalpy of 11.4 kJ mol(-1). The gamma-polymorph crystallizes in the trigonal space group R3c. The molecules occupy a crystallographic threefold axis. Molecules of 2,4,6-trimethoxy1,3,5-triazine are planar in all three polymorphs. The major difference between the three polymorphs is the mode of packing of the molecules in the crystal.