Does intermolecular S=O⋯H-C-S=O hydrogen bonding in sulfoxides and sulfones provide a robust supramolecular synthon in the solid state?

Hydrogen bonding between the sulfur oxygens and the acidic α-hydrogens in sulfoxides and sulfones is proposed as a supramolecular synthon in crystal engineering. A systematic analysis of supramolecular interactions in the solid state of a series of structurally related aryl benzyl sulfides, sulfoxides and sulfones was undertaken to establish the extent to which such hydrogen bonds persist as a structure determining feature in the solid state. The impact of the level of oxidation at sulfur, steric and electronic effects of substituents on the aryl rings and methyl substitution α to the sulfur functional group on the solid state structure of the compounds have been explored. The impact of stereochemical features, including relative and absolute stereochemistry, is also discussed.