X-ray structure of 2-(diphenylphosphano)phenyl-4-(hydroxymethyl)benzoate

The title compound, C₂₆H₂₁O₃P, was obtained as by-product due to the hydrolysis of the desired tosylated compound. The dihedral angles between the three aromatic rings attached to the P atom lie in the range 78.1 (1)–87.6 (1) . The hydroxymethyl group is disordered between two conformations in a 0.719 (9):0.281 (9) ratio. The hydroxy H atom is not involved in intermolecular interactions, while the hydroxy O atom serves as a donor for weak C-H...O hydrogen bonds, which link the molecules into chains propagating in [011].