Polymorphism in a benzo[b][1,4]diazepine derivative: Crystal structure, phase behavior and selective influence of solvents

Ethyl 4-[(Z)-3-ethoxy-2,3-dioxopropylidene]-4,5-dihydro-1H-benzo[b][1,4]diazepine-2-carboxylate forms two polymorphic modifications α and β, which differ in molecular conformations, as well as in the dimension of H-bonded supramolecular motifs in crystals that are a 1D chain or a 0D dimer, respectively. The formation of polymorphs can be controlled by choice of the solvent used. Crystallization from a solution in a polar protic solvent, ethanol, results in the thermodynamically favorable α-form, while using a low-polarity solvent, chloroform, and melt crystallization lead to the metastable β-form.