Crystal structure and conformation of methyl 2-methyl-3-[benzyl-(phenyl)phosphinyl]butyrate

Abstract

The structure of one of the diastereoisomeric methyl 2-methyl-3-[benzyl(benyl)phosphinyl]butyrates has been determined by X-ray diffraction. Crystals are orthorhombic, space group Pcab, with the cell constants a= 10.738(3), b= 12.800(3), and c= 26.503(3)Å, Z= 8. The structure was determined by direct methods and refined to R 7.8% for 1 783 intensities. The molecule has a threo-configuration; it prefers a conformation with gauche methine hydrogens and reasons for this are suggested.