THE SYNTHESIS AND STRUCTURE OF 3,4-DI-TERT-BUTYLBENZOIC ACID

3, 4-Di-t-butylbenzoic acid (1) was synthesized by a seven-step sequence from 4-t-butylbenzoic acid, and its structure was determined by X-ray diffraction and refined to a residual of 0·065 for 1403 independent observed reflections. The crystals are tridinic, P1, a 6·080(1), b 8·777(1), c 13·912(3) Å, α 80·76(2), β 80·84(2), y 75·62(2)°. It is the only example of a simple ortho-di-t-butylbenzene whose structure has been determined. The benzene ring experiences some out-of-plane distortion but, in general, strain is relieved by in-plane bond stretching and angular distortions. © 1990 ASEG.