Crystal studies of musk compounds. VII. Molecular structures of 1-tert-butyl-2,4,6-trimethyl-3,5-dinitrobenzene, C13H18N2O4 (2), and 1-bromo-3,5-dimethyl-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene, C8H6BrN3O6 (4)

The crystal structures of the title compounds (both non-musks) have been determined by X-ray diffraction. The angles between the nitro groups and the phenyl ring [75.1 (3)-86.6 (3)degrees for (2) and 67.8 (3)-80.1 (3)degrees for (4)] are compared with the values found in two strong musk compounds [(1) and (3)]. The phenyl ring in (4) is essentially planar; in (2), significant distortions from planarity are observed.