Weak interactions direct crystal packings of arylated 1,3-butadienes

Four novel aryl butadienes (substituted with R = Cl, OCH3, NO2 and H) were prepared and characterised by X-ray diffraction, IR, UV/Vis and NMR spectroscopies. A comparative analysis of crystal packings was aimed to determining influence of weak interactions: CH⋯O and CH⋯Cl hydrogen bonds, CH⋯π interactions and dispersion interactions. Since no proton donors is present and since the molecules are sterically very similar, these weak interactions are responsible for wide variation in 3D packing and supramolecular motives.