Conformational Stability of 2,2′-Dialkoxybenzpinacols in Solid State

Abstract X-ray analyses of the 2,2′-dialkoxybenzpinacols have established that the previously tentative assignment of configuration is incorrect. For example, the dl-and meso-isomer of 2,2′-dimethoxy-, 2,2′-diethoxy-, and 2,2′-dibutoxybenzpinacols proved to have a rigid conformation (1aα, 1bα, 1eα) and (1aβ, 1bβ, 1cα) where hydroxy groups are always in an anti fashion, in the solid state, respectively. MM2 and semi-empirical molecular orbital calculations for possible conformations were performed, suggesting that the conformational stability of the present pinacols is controlled by repulsive gauche interactions between aryl groups associated with intramolecular hydrogen bondings.