ORIGINAL PAPER Spectroscopic Studies and Crystal Structure of 1-(Morpholino (Phenyl) Methyl) Pyrrolidine-2,5-Dione S. Rajeswari • G. Venkatesa Prabhu • D. Tamilvendan • V. Ramkumar Received: 31 October 2008 / Accepted: 24 December 2009 / Published online: 19 January 2010 Ó Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2010 Abstract A new mannich base 1-(morpholino(phenyl) methyl)pyrrolidine-2,5-dione formed by the direct conden- sation of morpholine, succinimide and benzaldehyde has been synthesized. The structure of this mannich base has been elucidated on the basis of micro elemental analysis, IR, 1 H NMR, 13 C NMR, UV–Visible Techniques and Mass. The crystal structure of the title compound C 15 H 18 N 2 O 3 was determined. It crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P - 1, with a = 8.8122(13) A ˚ , b = 9.2794(14) A ˚ , c = 9.814 (3) A ˚ , a = 107.154(9)°, b = 97.936(9)°, c = 110.197(7)°, V = 693.4(2) A ˚ 3 , D x = 1.314 Mg/m 3 . The structure was solved by the full-matrix least squares on F 2 and had a refined R value of 0.0486 for 8567 observed reflections. The six membered heterocyclic ring of the morpholino moiety adopts a chair conformation. The crystal structure is stabi- lized by weak intermolecular C–HÁÁÁO interactions that link the molecules into inversion dimers. Keywords Mannich base Á Spectroscopy Á Crystal structure Á Triclinic 1-(morpholino(phenyl)methyl) pyrrolidine-2,5-dione Introduction Morpholine is a multipurpose chemical which is used as a solvent for resins, dyes and waxes. One of its most important use is as a chemical intermediate in the prepa- ration of pesticides [1]. Morpholine has many important applications. It is used as an intermediate in the manufac- ture of rubber chemicals and optical brighteners. It is also used extensively as a corrosion inhibitor in steam boiler systems. Fatty acid derivatives of morpholine are used as emulsifiers in the manufacture of waxes and polishes. Drugs containing a morpholine ring have established activities that include the reduction of blood sugar and lipid levels [2] and amelioration of obesity and insulin resistance [3]. The physiological activity of the morpholine nucleus is attested by the number of pharmaceutical applications which have been found for it. The hydroperiodide is suit- able for incorporation in ointments for the treatment of skin disorders, such as athlete’s foot. A number of morpholine derivatives have been described as analgesics and local anesthetics. Several morpholine-derived chemicals are useful as respiratory and vasomotor stimulants. Other pharmaceutical fields in which morpholine has found application include choleretics, antispasmodics, analeptics, and antimalarials. In addition, the use of morpholine as a peptizing agent for preparing aqueous dispersions of phe- nothiazines for anthelmintic purposes has been claimed. Owing to their pharmacological activities these com- pounds have received a great deal of attention in respect of their synthesis and conformation. A number of morpholine derivatives have been shown to possess bactericidal activity. For example, morpholinium salts of certain acyl- ated sulfonamides possess strong bacteriostatic or bacteri- cidal properties, and morpholine hydroperiodide has been used as a water disinfectant. The reaction of morpholine with 3,4,5-trichloro-2,6-pyridinedicarbonitrile yields a product which is useful in the control of fungi. Morpholine is used in preparing compounds that are excellent herbi- cides and that can be applied either to the soil before the S. Rajeswari Á G. V. Prabhu Á D. Tamilvendan Department of Chemistry, National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli, Tamilnadu 620 015, India V. Ramkumar (&) Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, Chennai, Tamilnadu 600 036, India e-mail: vramkumar@iitm.ac.in 123 J Chem Crystallogr (2010) 40:437–442 DOI 10.1007/s10870-009-9674-1