Crystal and molecular structure of aroyl- and acetylhydrazones of acet- and benzaldehydes

Aroyl- and acetylhydrazones of acet- (I) and benzaldehydes (IV) and benzoylhydrazones of acet- (II) and benzaldehydes (III) were studied by x-ray structural and quantum-chemical methods in order to establish their structures. Compund (I) was the EE′Z″ structure in the crystal. Calculations and spectral data showed that the EE′E″ form occurs in nonpolar solvents and in the gas phase. According to crystallographic data molecules (I)–(IV) are the E-isomers (relative to the N-N bond) and the hydrazone fragments are planar. Intermolecular N-H...O H-bonds from in the crystals. The data obtained suggest that the majority of acylhydrazones are conformationally rigid on dissolution although exceptions do occur. Apparently the reasons for the difference of acetyl- and benzoylhydrazones in electrocarboxylation reactions are electronic and not steric factors.