Hydrogen-bonding patterns of two dihydroxylactone derivatives.

In the hydrogen-bonding networks of 8-hydroxy-5-hydroxymethyl-3,6-dioxatricyclo[6.3.1.0(1.5)]dodecan-2-one and 5,7-bis(hydroxymethyl)-3,6-dioxatricyclo[5.3.1.0(1.5)]undecan-2-one, both C11H16O5, layers and double strands, respectively, lead to the formation of chains connected by hydroxy-to-hydroxy contacts, where the hydroxymethyl group, present in both structures, acts as a donor. The secondary structures differ in the hydrogen bonding of these chains via the second hydroxy group, which is involved in hydroxy-to-carbonyl and hydroxy-to-hydroxy bonds, respectively.