The crystal structure of 2-(α-hydroxy-βββ-trichloroethyl)-4-methylphenol and its relevance to the condensation of chloral hydrate and parasubstituted phenols

The product formed by the condensation ofp-cresol and chloral hydrate in the presence of anhydrous potassium carbonate is shown by single crystal X-ray crystallography to be 2-(α-hydroxy-βββ-trichloroethyl)-4-methylphenol and its failure to cyclize to form a 1,3-benzdioxin is explained. The title compound is monoclinic, P21,/c,Z=4,a=12.316(1),b=8.8668(9),c=10.275(2) Å,β=107.90(1)°