Structural studies of metabolic products of dopamine. III. Crystal and molecular structure of (--)-adrenaline.

The crystal structure of (--)-adrenaline has been determined by X-ray methods, using 831 observed reflections collected by counter methods. The crystals are monoclinic, space group P2-1 with a=7.873(2), b=6.790(2), c=8.638(2) A and beta=98.01(2) degrees. Least-squares refinements yielded a conventional R-factor of 0.053. Standard deviations in bond lengths are 0.005-0.006 A and in bond lengths aree 0.005-0.006 A and in bond angles 0.4 degrees. The adrenaline molecules were found to exist as zwitterions in the crystals. The conformation of the adrenaline molecule corresponds closely to that usually encountered among the salts of the sympathomimetic amines. The crystals consist of molecular double layers parallel to (100). The molecules within a layer are linked through hydrogen bonds of the types N--H...O and O--H...O, whereas the layers are connected by van der Waals interactions.