Crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of 2-(4-nitrophenyl)-2-oxoethyl benzoate

The title compound, C15H11NO5, is relatively planar, with the planes of the two aromatic rings being inclined to each other by 3.09 (5)degrees. In the crystal, molecules are linked by a pair of C-H center dot center dot center dot O hydrogen bonds, forming inversion dimers, which enclose an R-2(2)(16) ring motif. The dimers are linked by a further pair of C-H center dot center dot center dot O hydrogen-bonds forming ribbons enclosing R-4(4)(26) ring motifs. The ribbons are linked by offset pi-pi interactions [centroid-centroid distances = 3.6754 (6)-3.7519 (6) angstrom] to form layers parallel to the ac plane. Through Hirshfeld surface analyses, the d(norm) surfaces, electrostatic potential and two-dimensional fingerprint (FP) plots were examined to verify the contributions of the different intermolecular contacts within the supramolecular structure. The shape-index surface shows that two sides of the molecule are involved with the same contacts in neighbouring molecules, and the curvedness plot shows flat surface patches that are characteristic of planar stacking.