1-Phenyl-3-(quinolin-5-yl)urea as a host for distinction of phthalic acid and terephthalic acid

Abstract

Co-crystals of 1-phenyl-3-(quinolin-5-yl)urea (1) with terephthalic acid, adipic acid; and salts of 1 with phthalic acid, p-toluenesulphonic acids are prepared and structurally characterized. The reaction of phthalic acid and p-toluenesulphonic acid resulted in protonation of the host 1, whereas the terephthalic acid and adipic acid interact with 1, led to cocrystals with the host 1 through hydrogen bond interactions. The hydrogen bonds that appears in the urea taps of the host molecules 1 are lost while formation of salts; in such cases anions interacts with the urea portion of the host, while in the co-crystals the hydrogen bonded urea taps are retained. The salts are yellow in colour while the co-crystals are colourless; thereby the positional isomer phthalic acid can be distinguished from the terephthalic acid. © 2013 Indian Academy of Sciences.