The Crystal Structure of DL-Pentane-2,4-diol as a Model Compound for Poly(vinyl alcohol)

The crystal structure of DL-pentane-2,4-diol as a model compound of syndiotactic poly(vinyl alcohol) was determined. This crystal belongs to a monoclinic system with the dimensions of a=12.266(2), b=8.886(1), c=11.693(3)A, and β=92.94(4)°. The space group was P21/n and Dm=1.08, Dc=1.086 and Z=8. The final R factor was 0.083 for 1891 observed reflections. There are two crystallographically independent molecules in the unit cell. The five carbon atoms of these molecules have TT sequences and the OH groups form intermolecular hydrogen bonds. A structure analysis suggests that the conformation of syndiotactic poly(vinyl alcohol) may take TT sequences, the carbon chain has a planar zigzag form and the hydroxyl groups form intermolecular hydrogen bonds.