Crystal and molecular structure of two polymorphs of 3-amino-4-nitrobenzyl alcohol

The 3-amino-4-nitrobenzyl alcohol was synthesized and its molecular structure in crystalline state was determined by X-ray diffraction methods. It crystallizes in two polymorphic forms, a monoclinic and a triclinic one. The monoclinic form I, crystallizes in the space group C2/c with a = 21.787(7), b = 4.740(2), c = 14.423(4) Angstrom, beta = 92.89(3)degrees, V = 1487.6(9) Angstrom(3), Z = 8; the triclinic form Is, crystallizes in the space group <P(1)over bar> with a = 7.190(4), b = 7.283(4), c = 7.888(4) Angstrom, alpha = 84.03(5), beta = 79.43(5), gamma = 63.57(5)degrees, V = 363.5(3) Angstrom(3), Z = 2. In both polymorphs the molecules are to be nearly planar, and the alcohol group being the most deviated from planarity. The nitro group is twisted to the aromatic ring on 3.5(1)degrees and 1.1(1)degrees in I and Ia, respectively. In both crystals one of the amine hydrogens participates in the intramolecular a nd intermolecular hydrogen bonds. The second amine as well as the hydroxy hydrogens are utilized in intermolecular hydrogen bonds in both crystals forming a two-dimensional hydrogen bonding network, parallel to the plane he in I and parallel to the plane sc in Is. In I the hydroxy oxygen atom is an acceptor as well as a donor of the hydrogen, while in In it is only a donor of hydrogen in intermolecular hydrogen bonds.