Synthesis, spectral, structural, thermal and optical studies on dimethylammonium 4-nitrobenzoate – an organic charge transfer complex

A new organic charge transfer complex, dimethylammonium 4-nitrobenzoate was crystallized by slow evaporation solution technique at room temperature. The stoichiometric ratio of the title complex was confirmed by elemental analysis. The crystal structure of the complex was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis to be monoclinic crystal system with space group C2/c. The cell parameters are a = 40.123 (3) Å, b = 8.9533 (7) Å, c = 11.8240 (9) Å, β = 93.774̊ (4) and V = 4238.4 (6) Å3. The UV–visible absorption and transmittance spectra show the absorptions at 324 and 380 nm and the lower cut-off wavelength at 450 nm, respectively. The various functional groups were confirmed by Fourier Transform Infra-red (FTIR) spectrum. The thermal stability of the complex was studied by using thermogravimetric and differential thermal (TG–DTA) analyses and the compound was found to be stable up to 170 °C. Kurtz - Perry powder technique was used to find out NLO property of the grown crystal. The softness of complex was confirmed by Vicker's microhardness test.