Charge Density Analysis of 2,6-Dinitrophenol

The charge density of 2,6-dinitrophenol has been carefully determined from low temperature (20 K) single crystal X-ray diffraction data and periodic ab initio theoretical calculations. The topological analysis performed on the refined densities within the framework of the Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules (QTAIM), allowed us to characterize, both qualitatively and quantitatively, the various intra- and intermolecular interactions existing in the crystal structure of this compound. Notably two strong intramolecular noncovalent interactions have been characterized (O···H, De > 60 kJ/mol; O···O, De ∼ 19 kJ/mol). In addition, a series of weaker intermolecular interactions (O···N, O···O, O···C, and C···C) with estimated dissociation energies of 1–9 kJ/mol have been identified.