The crystal structure of p-azo-toluene (CH₃-C₆H₄N)₂

Abstract

The crystal structure of p-azo-toluene has been determined by single crystal methods. The unit cell is monoclinic with a=12.01 Å, b=5.02 Å, c=9.32 Å, β=90°12'. The space-group is P2₁/a-C_2h⁵ and there are two molecules per unit cell. Atomic positions were determined by electron density projections making use of 'trial and error' methods. Structure factors were obtained from visually estimated intensities on Weissenberg photographs taken with CuKα radiation. The planar benzene rings are attached by zig-zag C-N=N-C bond with the bond distance -N=N-=1.27 Å and the angle N=N-C 134°30'. The plane of the benzene ring makes an angle with the (ac) plane, its orientation is obtained by rotating it about the N-C bond by 10°. The nearest distance between two molecules in the crystal is 3.92 Å.