title: (4S,5S)-2,2-Dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane-4,5-dicarbo-nitrile.
abstract: The title compound, C7H8N2O2, formed by dehydration of the corresponding dicarboxamide, crystallizes as rectangular prisms. The mol-ecules have a C 2 axis of symmetry through the C atom bearing the methyl groups and the mid-point of the ring C-C bond, and the 1,3-dioxolane ring adopts the extreme twist conformation of the two possible with this symmetry. This brings the two nitrile groups nearest to a linear arrangement when the mol-ecule is viewed along the ring C-C bond. The correct absolute configuration of the mol-ecule was defined by that of the original starting material, (2R,3R)-tartaric acid. The packing is largely controlled by a number of C-H⋯N interactions.
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, England.
authors.forename: Alan H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Haines
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Hughes
references.citation: Acta Crystallogr A. 2008 Jan;64(Pt 1):112-22
references.pmid: 18156677
references.citation: Acta Crystallogr B. 2008 Aug;64(Pt 4):497-503
references.pmid: 18641452