The Crystal Structure of Para-Nitraniline and Naphthalene

Abrahams, Sidney Cyril (1949) The Crystal Structure of Para-Nitraniline and Naphthalene. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

A quantitative x-ray investigation into the crystal and molecular structure of para-nitraniline, based on double Fourier series, and of naphthalene, based on triple Fourier series, has led to a complete determination of the atomic parameters. In the former compound, the nitro-group is found to be symmetrical and to lie in the plane of the benzene ring. In addition to rather weak hydrogen bridges connecting the oxygen atoms of the nitro-groups to the nitrogen atoms of the amino-groups of adjacent molecules, there is a very close approach (2.7 - 3.0A) between one of the nitro-group oxygen atoms, and three of the aromatic carbon atoms of an adjoining molecule. This appears to be an intermolecular attraction of a new type, and one which may be responsible for the formation of the large class of molecular complexes between aromatic nitro-compounds and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The atomic co-ordinates of naphthalene have been determined with great accuracy, and definite variations in bond length within the molecule have been observed. The shortest bond is in the chemically reactive "alphabeta" position, the central bond is the usual aromatic length, as is also the outermost linkage, and the remaining bond is somewhat longer than usual.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Keywords: Organic chemistry
• Date of Award: 1949
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:1949-79729
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 03 Mar 2020 10:42
• Last Modified: 03 Mar 2020 10:42
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/79729