1,1′-Biadamantane-3,3′-diol: a two-dimensional network supported by a 'hexameric alcohol cluster' supramolecular synthon

In the title compound, C20H30O2, one of the two crystallographically independent molecules lies across a centre of inversion and the other resides in a general position (Z' = 1.5). The supramolecular structure exists as an unusual two-dimensional network incorporating centrosymmetric hexameric hydrogen-bonded alcohol (OH)(6) clusters [O center dot center dot center dot O = 2.6637 (12)-2.6993 (12) angstrom] as the net nodes. The hexamers adopt a chair conformation [O center dot center dot center dot O center dot center dot center dot O = 106.55 (4)-115.81 (4)degrees] and are connected into a network with a square-grid topology (4(4)) by a combination of single and double 1,1'-biadamantanediyl links. The bulky aliphatic groups appear to require specific hexagonal packing and so generate distinct noncovalent hydrophobic layers, which are essential for the stabilization of the hexameric alcohol array rather than the formation of the more commonly encountered tetramer-based arrays.