Structure determination and phase transition behaviour of dimethyl sulfate

The crystal structures of phase I and phase II of dimethyl sulfate, (CH₃O)₂SO₂, have been determined using complementary high-resolution neutron powder and single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. Below its melting point of 241 K dimethyl sulfate crystallizes in an orthorhombic structure (I) in the space group Fdd2. On cooling below ∼175 K the crystal transforms to a monoclinic structure (II) in the space group I2/a. The molecule is located on a twofold axis (Z′ = 1/2) in both structures. The phase transition is of first order with strong hysteresis. The phase transition results in changes to both the intra- and the intermolecular coordination environment.