Crystal structure and spectroscopic characterization of (E)-2-(((4-bromo-2-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)imino)methyl)-4-nitrophenol: A combined experimental and computational study

• A novel compound was synthesized and characterized experimentally.
• DFT calculations were carried out.
• The formation of weak H-bonding was proved by NBO analysis.
• The title compound can be used as an effective NLO material.

A novel compound crystallizes in the triclinic space group P−1 with a = 7.674(4) Å, b = 12.584(6) Å, c = 15.921(6) Å, α = 89.62(4)°, β = 84.34(4)°, γ = 73.77(4)° and Z = 4. This compound contains Schiff base and rings of molecule has (E) configuration with respect to the central CN double bond. The crystal structure has the intramolecular OH⋯N and the intermolecular CH⋯O hydrogen bonds. Molecular modeling of the title compound was done by using density functional theories (DFT). Detailed vibrational assignments have been made on the basis of potential energy distribution (PED). Additionally, chemical shift assignments, investigations of thermodynamical parameters and plotting of molecular electrostatic potential surfaces have been performed with the help of DFT method. In order to understand the electronic transitions of the title compound, time dependent DFT (TD-DFT) calculations were performed in gas phase. The dipole moment, linear polarizabilities, anisotropy and first hyperpolarizabilities values have been also computed using the same method.