1,2,3-Trihydroxybenzene (THB) reacts with 8-hydroxyquinoline (8HQ) in the solid state forming an orange-coloured charge transfer complex THB˙(8HQ)_2. When the reaction was carried out in a petri dish, or when the vapours of 8HQ were allowed to react with solid THB (gravimetric study), the reaction product separated out as good quality, shiny single crystals. X-Ray diffraction studies on single crystals showed that they belong to the orthorhombic system with a= 15.408(1), b= 16.276(1), c= 7.825(1)Å, Z= 4, D_x= 1.413 g cm^–3 and space group Pnaa. From the crystallographic evidence it has been found that the proton of the middle OH group of THB is transferred to the N atom of 8HQ. This accounts for the observed colour change.

Kinetic studies on the solid state reaction showed that the 8HQ molecules diffuse towards THB, and the lateral diffusion occurs through surface migration, grain boundary diffusion and vapour phase diffusion. Gravimetric studies of the reaction between solid THB and 8HQ vapour showed that the diffusion of 8HQ molecules into the crystal lattice of THB has a higher energy of activation than that observed when the reactants are in contact. The nature of the crystal packing in the reaction product indicates diffusion of 8HQ molecules into the crystal lattice of THB along the c-axis, to occupy the cavities present between the THB molecules in the unit cell.