A polymorph of terephthalaldehyde

Abstract

A new orthorhombic polymorph of terephthalaldehyde, C8H6O2, with a melting point of 372 K, has been obtained by recrystallization from ethanol. At room temperature, the crystals transform into the well known monoclinic form, with a melting point of 389 K. The crystal structure of the monoclinic form involves C—H...O hydrogen bonds, but no such bonds are observed in the orthorhombic form. The molecule is planar.