Synthesis and crystal structure of methyl 3-(3-hy­droxy-3-phenyl­prop-2-eno­yl)benzoate

The title compound, C(17)H(14)O(4), was synthesized under mild conditions and characterized by various analytical techniques. Combined NMR and X-ray diffraction data show that the substance exists exclusively in the enol tautomeric form. An intra­molecular ⋯O=C—C=C—OH⋯ hydrogen bond is present in the mol­ecular structure. The analysis of the difference density map disclosed two adjacent positions of a disordered hydrogen atom taking part in this hydrogen bond, indicating the presence of two enol tautomers in the crystal. The enol mol­ecules are assembled through numerous C—H⋯π and π–π as well as weak C(ar­yl)—H⋯O inter­actions, thus forming a dense crystal packing. The obtained substance was also studied by UV–Vis spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry.