Synthesis, Spectroscopic Characterization, Single-Crystal Structure, Hirshfeld Surface Analysis, and Antimicrobial Studies of 3-Acetoxy-2-methylbenzoic Anhydride.

We report a novel anhydride derivative, 3-acetoxy-2-methylbenzoic anhydride (AMA), obtained from the interaction of 3-acetoxy-2-methylbenzoyl chloride with 3-acetoxy-2-methylbenzoic acid. The synthesized compound was characterized by elemental analysis, IR, H NMR, and C NMR spectroscopic studies and single-crystal X-ray crystallography which revealed the crystallization of AMA as monoclinic with space group 2/. A Hirshfeld surface analysis was performed to record various intermolecular interactions, indicating the stabilization of the AMA structure by the intermolecular weak C-H···O hydrogen bonds and π···π interactions. The title compound was screened for antibacterial and antifungal activities using a serial dilution technique under aseptic conditions. The results indicate that the title compound has significant antibacterial properties but showed no antifungal behavior.