2-(4-Fluorophenyl)-1-(4-pyridyl)cydo-pentan-1-ol

The crystal structure of the title compound, C16H16FNO, was determined as part of a study of the biological activity of pyridine-substituted cyclopentene derivatives as p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitors. The 4-fluorophenyl and 4-pyridyl rings are trans positioned with respect to each other. The compound exists as a racemic mixture. The synthesis was achieved via direct interaction between the reactive complex Grignard reagent PyMgCl center dot LiCl and the enolizable ketone 4-fluorophenylcyclopentanone with the assistance of the neodymium salt catalyst NdCl3 center dot 2LiCl. The crystal packing is characterized by zigzag chains of molecules, which are connected by O-H center dot center dot center dot N hydrogen bonds running along the b axis.