Proton-bifurcated C-H...(O,O) hydrogen bonds in 2,3-dichloro-6-nitrobenzylaminium chloride.

In the crystal structure of the title salt, C7H7Cl2N2O2+.Cl-, the chloride anions participate in extensive hydrogen bonding with the aminium cations and indirectly link the molecules through multiple N+-H...Cl- salt bridges. There are two independent molecules in the asymmetric unit, related by a pseudo-inversion center. The direct intermolecular coupling is established by C-H...O, C-H...Cl and C-Cl...Cl(-) interactions. A rare three-center (donor bifurcated) C-H...(O,O) hydrogen bond is observed between the methylene and nitro groups, with a side-on intramolecular component of closed-ring type and a head-on intermolecular component.