X-ray crystal structure analyses and atomic charges of color former and developer. I. Color developers

The crystal and molecular structures of 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane (Bisphenol A, BPA) (1), benzyl 4-hydroxybenzoate (2), 1,7-bis(4-hydroxyphenylthio)-3,5-dioxaheptane (3) and 4-hydroxyphenyl 4-isopropoxyphenyl sulfone (4) have been determined by X-ray crystal structure analysis. Theoretical calculations of the steric hindrance and semiempirical quantum chemical calculations to determine the color characteristics have been carried out. It is clear that the energy barriers for the variation of the orientation of phenol group in 1 to 4 are due to steric hindrance caused by the other moiety and the peak profiles are due to repulsive interactions of the other moiety. Net atomic charges on the hydrogen of the OH group are larger than those on the other atoms in the molecules. This high electron charge of the para orientation will cause the different thermosensitivity and stabilization.