Synthesis, structural, spectroscopic and thermal characteristics of disubstituted biphenyl derivative: Biphenyl-4,4′-diacetic acid

•New route of synthesis of biphenyl-4,4′-diacetic acid (H2bpda).•Determination of molecular and crystal structure of the compound by single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction.•Spectroscopic characterization of the compound by FT-IR, Raman, 1H NMR and 13C NMR.•Thermal stability of acid in air and nitrogen atmospheres.

A novel 4,4′-disubstituted biphenyl derivative featuring two acetic acid side arms symmetrically attached to a biphenyl system, that is biphenyl-4,4′-diacetic acid (H2bpda), has been successfully synthesized by means of the three-stage organic strategy. The synthesis product was characterized by elemental analysis, various spectroscopic techniques including FT-IR, Raman, 1H and 13C NMR as well as thermogravimetric and TG–FT-IR coupled measurements. The phase purity of material was verified on the basis of the X-ray powder diffraction. The studied compound crystallizes in the monoclinic P21/c space group with half of the molecule in the asymmetric unit. Structural studies indicate intermolecular OH⋯O hydrogen bonding between the carboxylic groups of the adjacent molecules of H2bpda. The occurrence of intermolecularly associated carboxylic groups can also be clearly seen in the vibrational spectra of the acid. On thermal analysis both in air and nitrogen an anhydrous compound demonstrates considerable thermal stability.

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