Crystal structure of chiral ortho-alkyl phenyl ethers of glycerol: true racemic compound, normal, false and anomalous conglomerates within the single five-membered family

Abstract

For a family of chiral terminal ortho-alkylphenyl glycerol ethers [alkyl = Me (1), Et (2), n-Pr (3), i-Pr (4), t-Bu (5)] nine different crystalline modifications have been obtained and investigated by X-ray analysis. All possible types for chiral compound crystallization, including a very rare type of false conglomerate (polymorph of rac-4.1) and extremely rare case of anomalous conglomerate (metastable form of rac-5) have been found within this set. Three tested substances crystallize as normal conglomerates, while two are capable of forming normal racemic compounds. Centrosymmetrical dimers of enantiomers, which are typical for most racemates, are absent in all the investigated crystals. The samples of the enantiopure compound 2 and 3 form stable supramolecular gels in hydrocarbon solvents. Some assumptions have been made linking the features of the molecular and crystal structures in the investigated series.