Supramolecular Structure of Phenyl Derivatives of Butanol Isomers

Wide-angle X-ray scattering patterns were recorded for a series of aliphatic butanol isomers (n-, iso-, sec-, tert-butanol) and their phenyl derivatives (4-phenyl-1-butanol, 2-methyl-3-phenyl-1-propanol, 4-phenyl-2-butanol, and 2-methyl-1-phenyl-2-propanol, respectively) to determine their atomic-scale structure with particular emphasis on the formation of supramolecular clusters. In addition, molecular dynamics simulations were carried out and yielded good agreement with experimental data. The combination of experimental and theoretical results allowed clarification of the origin of the pre-peak appearing at low scattering angles for the aliphatic butanols and its absence for their phenyl counterparts. It was demonstrated that the location of the hydroxyl group in the molecule of alkyl butanol, its geometry, and rigidity determine the morphology of the supramolecular clusters, while the addition of the aromatic moiety causes more disordered organization of molecules. The phenyl group significantly decreases the number of hydrogen bonds and size of the supramolecular clusters formed via the O–H···O scheme. The lower association ability of phenyl alcohols via H-bonds is additionally attenuated by the appearance of competing π–π configurations evidenced by the structural models.