4-Phenyldiazenyl-2-[(R)-(1-phenylethyl)iminomethyl]phenol

Abstract

The title chiral photochromic Schiff base compound, C21H19N3O, was synthesized from (R)-1-phenylethylamine and the salicylaldehyde of an azobenzene derivative. The molecule corresponds to the phenol–imine tautomer, the C=N and N—C bond distances being 1.279 (3) and 1.477 (3) Å, respectively. An intramolecular O—H...N hydrogen bond occurs. The diazenyl group adopts a trans form with an N=N distance of 1.243 (3) Å.