# Synthesis, Crystal Growth, Spectroscopic and Electrical Properties of 5-tert-Butyl-1,2,3-trinitrobenzene

Authors: S. Sahaya Jude Dhas; M. Muralidhar Nayak; S. Jerome Das; S. A. Martin Britto Dhas
Journal: Journal of Materials
 (2013)

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## Abstract

5-tert-Butyl-1,2,3-trinitrobenzene (TBTB) was synthesized and characterized by NMR so as to confirm the structure. Single crystals were obtained from methanol by solvent evaporation technique at room temperature. Optically transparent single crystals with dimension up to 17×4×3 mm3 have been grown by submerged seed solution method within a period of 30 days. The modes of vibration of different molecular groups present in the title compound were identified by FTIR and FT-Raman spectral analyses, and it was found with the tabulation that both of the spectral vibrations are very close to each other confirming the existence of specific functional groups in the crystal. Optical behaviour of the crystal was analyzed by UV-Vis absorption studies, and the value of the optical band gap energy (Eg) of the crystal has been determined using the optical absorption spectrum. The dielectric behaviour and AC conductivity of the grown crystals were also analyzed, and it is shown that both properties vary with respect to frequency and do not vary in accordance with temperature.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

Nitroaromatics form an important group of recalcitrant xenobiotics [1]. The majority of such types of compounds are industrial chemicals such as explosives, dyes, polyurethane foams, herbicides, insecticides, and solvents. Compounds of trinitrate can be used to treat and prevent an angina attack [2]. Also, organic crystals of nitrophenol family play a prominent role in nonlinear optical area due to their superior qualities such as high laser damage threshold, wide transparency windows, and extended thermal stability. As a consequence, a large number of nitrophenol families of crystals have been already grown and reported [3–13]. In a particular case, the laser damage thresholds of nonlinear optical crystals of sodium p-nitrophenolate dehydrate are 11.16±0.28 GW cm−2 and 1.25±0.02 GW cm−2 for 1064 nm and 532 nm laser wavelengths, respectively [14, 15], while the laser damage threshold of standard potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP) is 0.2 GW cm−2 [16]. Also, nitrobenzene compounds possess high contribution of anharmonic electron-phonon interaction and can be used as a material for the fast-respond degenerate four-wave mixing [17]. Hence, it is useful to analyze the spectroscopic and physical properties of such type of nitrophenol family of compounds. 5-tert-Butyl-1,2,3-trinitrobenzene (TBTB) is yet another compound which has been synthesized and characterized for the present work. Even though there is a lot of information available about the different derivatives of nitrobenzene in the literature; to our knowledge, there are no details found regarding the vibration and optical and electrical studies for this particular compound (TBTB). So we made an attempt to investigate the same. We have also grown bulk crystals of the title compound for the first time and characterized the same with the vibrational analyses (FTIR, FT-Raman spectroscopy) and electronic spectra (UV-Vis). The dielectric studies were also carried out so as to know the optical and electrooptical behaviour of the crystal.


## 2. Experimental Procedure

### 2.1. Material Synthesis

5-tert-Butyl-1,2,3-trinitrobenzene was synthesized as per literature procedure [18]. 10 g of 4-tert-butylphenol was dissolved in 50 mL of glacial acetic acid. This solution was added dropwise with constant stirring to a mixture of 1 : 2 ratios of nitric acid and glacial acetic acid while cooling. This mixture, after attaining the room temperature, was then poured onto crushed ice. The resulting yellow solid was filtered off, redissolved in chloroform. Then this yellow coloured solution was washed five times with water to remove the water soluble impurities. Afterwards, the organic phase was dried with Na2SO4 and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The residue was further purified by silica column chromatography, ethyl acetate/hexane (1 : 6) as elute. This gives 5-tert-butyl-1,2,3-trinitrobenzene as a yellow powder, and the chemical structure is shown in Figure 1.Figure 1
The chemical structure of 5-tert-butyl-1,2,3-trinitrobenzene.NMR spectra (1H and 13C) were recorded for this yellow crystalline powder so as to get information about the carbon hydrogen framework in the molecule with a Bruker AMX 400 spectrometer with tetramethylsilane as the internal standard and CDCl3 as the solvent. The recorded spectra were shown in Figures 2 and 3.1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ 8.33 (s, 2H, benzene ring CH), 1.38 (m, 9H tert butyl CH). NMR shows that the compound is pure without any impurities. The product was further purified by repeated recrystallization.Figure 2
1H NMR of TBTB.Figure 3
13C NMR of TBTB.


### 2.2. Crystal Growth

The title compound is a yellowish crystalline powder and has a molecular formula C10H12N2O5 with molecular weight 240.21 g mol−1. The saturated solution of the title compound was prepared at room temperature with methanol as the solvent. The solution was stirred well for about half an hour using a magnetic stirrer to ensure homogeneous temperature and concentration over the entire volume of the solution. The prepared solution was filtered with a microporous filter paper and transferred to crystal growth vessel, and crystallization was allowed to take place by slow evaporation under room temperature. Small crystals were obtained in a time of one week. From the previously mentioned crystals, well-shaped and transparent crystals were selected as seeds, and the remaining crystals were powdered and used as raw material for bulk crystal growth. The powdered material was added gradually in the solvent (methanol) till it completely dissolved so as to obtain saturated solution at room temperature (30°C). In order to obtain supersaturation, the temperature of the solution was raised by 2°C above the room temperature, and the solute was added till it dissolved completely and was stirred for 30 minutes to obtain a homogeneous solution. The supersaturated solution was filtered, and the selected seed crystal was placed carefully at the bottom of a beaker and kept covered for controlled evaporation to take place. After about 30 days, transparent single crystal of good quality with approximate size of 17 × 4 × 3 mm3 was obtained. The grown crystal is optically transparent as shown in Figure 4.Figure 4
Photograph of as-grown TBTB single crystal.


## 2.1. Material Synthesis

5-tert-Butyl-1,2,3-trinitrobenzene was synthesized as per literature procedure [18]. 10 g of 4-tert-butylphenol was dissolved in 50 mL of glacial acetic acid. This solution was added dropwise with constant stirring to a mixture of 1 : 2 ratios of nitric acid and glacial acetic acid while cooling. This mixture, after attaining the room temperature, was then poured onto crushed ice. The resulting yellow solid was filtered off, redissolved in chloroform. Then this yellow coloured solution was washed five times with water to remove the water soluble impurities. Afterwards, the organic phase was dried with Na2SO4 and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The residue was further purified by silica column chromatography, ethyl acetate/hexane (1 : 6) as elute. This gives 5-tert-butyl-1,2,3-trinitrobenzene as a yellow powder, and the chemical structure is shown in Figure 1.Figure 1
The chemical structure of 5-tert-butyl-1,2,3-trinitrobenzene.NMR spectra (1H and 13C) were recorded for this yellow crystalline powder so as to get information about the carbon hydrogen framework in the molecule with a Bruker AMX 400 spectrometer with tetramethylsilane as the internal standard and CDCl3 as the solvent. The recorded spectra were shown in Figures 2 and 3.1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ 8.33 (s, 2H, benzene ring CH), 1.38 (m, 9H tert butyl CH). NMR shows that the compound is pure without any impurities. The product was further purified by repeated recrystallization.Figure 2
1H NMR of TBTB.Figure 3
13C NMR of TBTB.


## 2.2. Crystal Growth

The title compound is a yellowish crystalline powder and has a molecular formula C10H12N2O5 with molecular weight 240.21 g mol−1. The saturated solution of the title compound was prepared at room temperature with methanol as the solvent. The solution was stirred well for about half an hour using a magnetic stirrer to ensure homogeneous temperature and concentration over the entire volume of the solution. The prepared solution was filtered with a microporous filter paper and transferred to crystal growth vessel, and crystallization was allowed to take place by slow evaporation under room temperature. Small crystals were obtained in a time of one week. From the previously mentioned crystals, well-shaped and transparent crystals were selected as seeds, and the remaining crystals were powdered and used as raw material for bulk crystal growth. The powdered material was added gradually in the solvent (methanol) till it completely dissolved so as to obtain saturated solution at room temperature (30°C). In order to obtain supersaturation, the temperature of the solution was raised by 2°C above the room temperature, and the solute was added till it dissolved completely and was stirred for 30 minutes to obtain a homogeneous solution. The supersaturated solution was filtered, and the selected seed crystal was placed carefully at the bottom of a beaker and kept covered for controlled evaporation to take place. After about 30 days, transparent single crystal of good quality with approximate size of 17 × 4 × 3 mm3 was obtained. The grown crystal is optically transparent as shown in Figure 4.Figure 4
Photograph of as-grown TBTB single crystal.


## 3. Spectroscopic Studies

### 3.1. FT-Raman Spectral Analysis

The FT-Raman spectral measurements were made with a model RFS 100/S Bruker instrument. Nd:YAG laser beam of wavelength 1064 nm, the output power being 20 mW, was used. The spectrum was recorded for a range of 4000 to 500 cm−1 with a spectral resolution of 4 cm−1. Raman spectroscopy is an inelastic photon scattering between a laser beam and a molecule. Raman scattering occurs when the vibrational motion produces an induced dipole moment or change in the polarizability of the molecule [19]. The recorded FT-Raman spectra are shown in Figure 5.Figure 5
FT-Raman spectrum of TBTB.In the higher frequency region, the weak peak at 3087 cm−1 is due to C–H stretching and the medium peak at 2973 cm−1 is assigned to CH3 asymmetric stretching. The medium peak at 2911 cm−1 confirms the existence of C–H stretching and at 1531 cm−1 establishes the presence of C–H deformation. The strong peak at 1364 cm−1 is because of C–N stretching and at 1304 cm−1 is ascribed to N=O2 asymmetric stretching. The strong peak at 1264 cm−1 illustrates the presence of C–N stretching and at 1162 cm−1 is assigned to C–H in-plane deformation. The medium band at 922 cm−1 is attributed to the presence of C–C stretching. The medium peak at 827 cm−1 is assigned to C–H out-of-plane bending and at 726 cm−1 is assigned for the presence of NO2 deformation and C–H out-of-plane deformation. C–C–C in-plane deformation is located at the weak peak of 528 cm−1.


### 3.2. FTIR Spectral Analysis

The FTIR spectrum of the grown TBTB crystals was recorded using FTIR spectrometer (Bruker alpha) in the region of 4000 to 400 cm−1 with a spectral resolution of 4 cm−1. The absorption of IR radiation causes various bands in a spectrum which can be treated as the finger print of different modes of vibration of a molecule, and it clearly exhibits the presence of various functional groups present in a compound. The infrared absorption arises when the vibrational motion produces a change in the permanent dipole moment of the molecule [19]. The recorded FTIR spectrum is shown in Figure 6.Figure 6
FTIR spectrum of TBTB.In the higher frequency region, the broad peak at 3242 cm−1 and the weak peak at 3084 cm−1 denote the occurrence of C–H stretching and the strong peak at 2960 cm−1 is assigned to CH3 asymmetric stretching. The medium absorption peak at 1628 cm−1 confirms the existence of N=O stretching. The strong peak at 1526 cm−1 establishes the presence of C–H deformation. The medium peak at 1480 cm−1 is due to C–H deformation and semicircle ring stretching, and also the medium peak at 1418 cm−1 is assigned to C–H in-plane bending. The strong peak at 1314 cm−1 is ascribed to ring breathing. The absorption medium peak at 1254 cm−1 illustrates the presence of C–N stretching. The weak absorption peak at 1147 cm−1 is assigned to C–H in-plane deformation. The medium band at 915 cm−1 is attributed to the presence of C–C stretching. The medium peak at 831 cm−1 is assigned to C–H out-of-plane bending and at 712 cm−1 is due to the presence of NO2 deformation and C–H out-of-plane deformation. C–C–N in-plane deformation is identified by the medium peak at 590 cm−1. The weak peak at 514 cm−1 represents C–C–C in-plane deformation, and C–CN in-plane bending is located at the weak peak of 427 cm−1. The comparison of FT-Raman and infrared spectral analyses is shown in Table 1.Table 1
The comparison of FT-Raman and FT-Infrared spectral data of TBTB and their tentative assignment.
Ramanν- (cm−1)
Infraredν- (cm−1)
Tentative assignment
3242 b
C–H str
3087 w
3084 w
C–H str
2973 m
2960 s
CH3 asym str
2911 m
C–H str
2860 w
C–H str
1628 m
N=O str
1593 w
1597 w
Ring breathing
1531 m
1526 s
C–H deform
1448 w
1480 m
C–H def, s.c. ring str
1415 w
1418 m
C–H in-plane bending
1364 s
1367 m
C–N str
1321 s
1314 s
Ring breathing
1304 s
N=O2 sym str
1264 s
1254 m
C–N str
1162 s
1147 w
C–H i.p. def
1104 w
C–H i.p. def
922 m
915 m
C–C str
827 m
831 m
C–H o.p. bending
726 m
712 m
C–H o.p. def, NO2 def
646 m
C–H o.p. bending, C–C–C o.p. def
528 w
590 m
C–C–N i.p. def
514 w
C–C–C i.p. def
427 w
C–CN i.p. bending
Asym: asymmetric; def: deformation; i.p.: in-plane; i.ph.: in-phase; m: medium; op: out-of plane; s: strong; str: stretch; sym: symmetric; v: very; w: weak; s.c: semi circle; b: broad.


### 3.3. UV-Vis-IR Spectral Studies

Figure7 shows the absorption spectrum obtained for the title compound in solution in the region between 200 and 700 nm, covering the entire UV, visible, and near infrared region. The absorbance at 350 nm is due to n-π* electronic excitation in the NO2 group of trinitrobenzene. The absorption coefficient is dependent on photon energy, and it was analyzed in the absorption regions so as to obtain the detailed information about the energy band gap of the compound. The absorption coefficient and photon energy can be related by the equation [20, 21]
(1)(αhν)2=A(hν-Eg),
where Eg is the energy band gap of the compound, A is a constant that depends on transition probability, and α is the absorption coefficient. The variations of (αhν)2 against hν in the fundamental absorption region are plotted as shown in Figure 8. The extrapolation of the straight line down to (αhν)2 gives the band gap energy of the crystal. The band gap of TBTB crystal was found to be 3.18 eV.Figure 7
UV-Vis spectrum of TBTB.Figure 8
Plot of(αhν)2 versus hν for TBTB crystals.


## 3.1. FT-Raman Spectral Analysis

The FT-Raman spectral measurements were made with a model RFS 100/S Bruker instrument. Nd:YAG laser beam of wavelength 1064 nm, the output power being 20 mW, was used. The spectrum was recorded for a range of 4000 to 500 cm−1 with a spectral resolution of 4 cm−1. Raman spectroscopy is an inelastic photon scattering between a laser beam and a molecule. Raman scattering occurs when the vibrational motion produces an induced dipole moment or change in the polarizability of the molecule [19]. The recorded FT-Raman spectra are shown in Figure 5.Figure 5
FT-Raman spectrum of TBTB.In the higher frequency region, the weak peak at 3087 cm−1 is due to C–H stretching and the medium peak at 2973 cm−1 is assigned to CH3 asymmetric stretching. The medium peak at 2911 cm−1 confirms the existence of C–H stretching and at 1531 cm−1 establishes the presence of C–H deformation. The strong peak at 1364 cm−1 is because of C–N stretching and at 1304 cm−1 is ascribed to N=O2 asymmetric stretching. The strong peak at 1264 cm−1 illustrates the presence of C–N stretching and at 1162 cm−1 is assigned to C–H in-plane deformation. The medium band at 922 cm−1 is attributed to the presence of C–C stretching. The medium peak at 827 cm−1 is assigned to C–H out-of-plane bending and at 726 cm−1 is assigned for the presence of NO2 deformation and C–H out-of-plane deformation. C–C–C in-plane deformation is located at the weak peak of 528 cm−1.


## 3.2. FTIR Spectral Analysis

The FTIR spectrum of the grown TBTB crystals was recorded using FTIR spectrometer (Bruker alpha) in the region of 4000 to 400 cm−1 with a spectral resolution of 4 cm−1. The absorption of IR radiation causes various bands in a spectrum which can be treated as the finger print of different modes of vibration of a molecule, and it clearly exhibits the presence of various functional groups present in a compound. The infrared absorption arises when the vibrational motion produces a change in the permanent dipole moment of the molecule [19]. The recorded FTIR spectrum is shown in Figure 6.Figure 6
FTIR spectrum of TBTB.In the higher frequency region, the broad peak at 3242 cm−1 and the weak peak at 3084 cm−1 denote the occurrence of C–H stretching and the strong peak at 2960 cm−1 is assigned to CH3 asymmetric stretching. The medium absorption peak at 1628 cm−1 confirms the existence of N=O stretching. The strong peak at 1526 cm−1 establishes the presence of C–H deformation. The medium peak at 1480 cm−1 is due to C–H deformation and semicircle ring stretching, and also the medium peak at 1418 cm−1 is assigned to C–H in-plane bending. The strong peak at 1314 cm−1 is ascribed to ring breathing. The absorption medium peak at 1254 cm−1 illustrates the presence of C–N stretching. The weak absorption peak at 1147 cm−1 is assigned to C–H in-plane deformation. The medium band at 915 cm−1 is attributed to the presence of C–C stretching. The medium peak at 831 cm−1 is assigned to C–H out-of-plane bending and at 712 cm−1 is due to the presence of NO2 deformation and C–H out-of-plane deformation. C–C–N in-plane deformation is identified by the medium peak at 590 cm−1. The weak peak at 514 cm−1 represents C–C–C in-plane deformation, and C–CN in-plane bending is located at the weak peak of 427 cm−1. The comparison of FT-Raman and infrared spectral analyses is shown in Table 1.Table 1
The comparison of FT-Raman and FT-Infrared spectral data of TBTB and their tentative assignment.
Ramanν- (cm−1)
Infraredν- (cm−1)
Tentative assignment
3242 b
C–H str
3087 w
3084 w
C–H str
2973 m
2960 s
CH3 asym str
2911 m
C–H str
2860 w
C–H str
1628 m
N=O str
1593 w
1597 w
Ring breathing
1531 m
1526 s
C–H deform
1448 w
1480 m
C–H def, s.c. ring str
1415 w
1418 m
C–H in-plane bending
1364 s
1367 m
C–N str
1321 s
1314 s
Ring breathing
1304 s
N=O2 sym str
1264 s
1254 m
C–N str
1162 s
1147 w
C–H i.p. def
1104 w
C–H i.p. def
922 m
915 m
C–C str
827 m
831 m
C–H o.p. bending
726 m
712 m
C–H o.p. def, NO2 def
646 m
C–H o.p. bending, C–C–C o.p. def
528 w
590 m
C–C–N i.p. def
514 w
C–C–C i.p. def
427 w
C–CN i.p. bending
Asym: asymmetric; def: deformation; i.p.: in-plane; i.ph.: in-phase; m: medium; op: out-of plane; s: strong; str: stretch; sym: symmetric; v: very; w: weak; s.c: semi circle; b: broad.


## 3.3. UV-Vis-IR Spectral Studies

Figure7 shows the absorption spectrum obtained for the title compound in solution in the region between 200 and 700 nm, covering the entire UV, visible, and near infrared region. The absorbance at 350 nm is due to n-π* electronic excitation in the NO2 group of trinitrobenzene. The absorption coefficient is dependent on photon energy, and it was analyzed in the absorption regions so as to obtain the detailed information about the energy band gap of the compound. The absorption coefficient and photon energy can be related by the equation [20, 21]
(1)(αhν)2=A(hν-Eg),
where Eg is the energy band gap of the compound, A is a constant that depends on transition probability, and α is the absorption coefficient. The variations of (αhν)2 against hν in the fundamental absorption region are plotted as shown in Figure 8. The extrapolation of the straight line down to (αhν)2 gives the band gap energy of the crystal. The band gap of TBTB crystal was found to be 3.18 eV.Figure 7
UV-Vis spectrum of TBTB.Figure 8
Plot of(αhν)2 versus hν for TBTB crystals.


## 4. Dielectric Studies

Dielectric studies for the grown 5-tert-butyl-1,2,3-trinitrobenzene single crystals were carried out using HIOKI 3532-50 LCR HITESTER in the frequency region 50 Hz–5 MHz (with an accuracy of |Z|: ±0.08% rdg., θ: ±0.05°). A quality sample of the crystal of uniform cross section 3 × 2 mm2 and 1.5 mm thickness was placed between the two copper electrodes acting as a parallel plate capacitor. Silver paint was coated on the surface of the sample so as to make a steady electrical contact. The dielectric constant (εr) was calculated using the relation
(2)εr=Cdε0A,
where C is the capacitance, d is the thickness of the crystal, ε0 is the permittivity of free space, and A is the area of the crystal. The dielectric properties can very well be related with electrooptic properties of the crystal [22]. The variation of calculated dielectric constant and dielectric loss with respect to log frequency for three different temperatures (40°, 50°, and 60°) is shown in Figures 9 and 10, respectively. Both the dielectric constant and the dielectric loss are decreasing rapidly and get saturated when increasing the frequency. This is a normal dielectric behaviour [23]. This can be understood on the basis that the mechanism of polarization is similar to that of the conduction process. When the crystal is subjected to external electric field the dipoles align themselves in the direction of the field causing a steady polarization which is due to the promotion of relative displacement between the electrons and the lattice ions, and this particular state is maintained by the crystal as long as the value of the frequency is low. At the higher region of frequency, the space charges cannot sustain and cannot comply with the external field. Consequently, the value of polarization decreases rapidly with an immediate effect of a drastic fall in the value of the dielectric constant of the crystal.Figure 9
Logf versus dielectric constant for different temperatures.Figure 10
Logf versus dielectric loss for different temperatures.


## 5. AC Conductivity

AC conductivity is one of the studies done on solids in order to characterize the bulk resistance of the crystalline sample and it is quite important to know the ac conductivity of the material so as to explore its effectiveness to be used as a dielectric. The ac conductivity of the sample was calculated using the formula [24]
(3)σac=ε0εrωtanδ,
where ω is the angular frequency (ω=2πν). The plot of electrical conductivity versus frequency for different temperatures is shown in Figure 11. The conductivity is almost zero up to 10 kHz of frequency, and it starts increasing beyond that value. The low value of electrical conductivity may be due to the decrease in mobility of the charge carriers due to ionic size which leads to the change in electronic band structure. At higher frequencies, the ac conductivity of the sample increases which reveals that the electrical conductivity is proportional to the mobility and carrier concentration. The dielectric and ac conductivity studies reveal that the previously mentioned properties are dependent on frequency but independent of temperature.Figure 11
logf versus electrical conductivity.


## 6. Conclusion

The compound of 5-tert-butyl-1,2,3-trinitrobenzene was synthesized, and the structure of the compound was confirmed with the help of 1H and 13C NMR spectra. Transparent single crystals of TBTB have been grown successfully by submerged seed solution method in methanol at about a period of a month’s time. FTIR and FT-Raman spectra reveal the mode of vibrations of different functional groups present in the title compound, and the tabulated values of both of the spectra agree very well with each other to a very close extent so that different molecular groups present in TBTB are confirmed. Optical transmission studies show that the title compound is optically transparent in the entire visible region with a lower cutoff below 400 nm. The calculated value of the optical band gap energy (Eg) of the crystal is found to be 3.18 eV. The experimental results show that the dielectric property and the conductivity of TBTB are dependent on frequency but independent of temperature.



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