Crystal structure of 1-hydroxy-1,2,3-benzotriazolium diphenyl phosphate reveals strong NHO and OHO hydrogen bonds

The structure of 1-hydroxy-1,2,3-benzotriazolium diphenyl phosphate (HOBt/DPP) has been investigated by X-ray analysis. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n with Z = 4 and the following lattice parameters: a = 11.711(2), b = 12.727(2) and c = 12.794(3) Å, β = 105.12(2)°, V = 1840.9(6) ų. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined on F² to R values of wR2 = 0.084 and R1 = 0.034 for 1985 observed reflections. HOBt/DPP has an ionic structure with very short OHO and NHO hydrogen bonds linking the different ions. Owing to these hydrogen bonds, infinite screw-shaped chains which are twisted parallel to the y-axis are formed.