Taxiphyllin from Henriettella fascicularis.

(2R)-alpha-(beta-D-Glucopyranosyloxy)-4-hydroxybenzeneacetonitrile (taxiphyllin) dihydrate, C(14)H(17)NO(7) x 2H(2)O, is a naturally occurring cyanogenetic glycoside which has been isolated from Henriettella fascicularis (Sw.) C. Wright (Melastomataceae). Its structure is stabilized by a wealth of intermolecular O-H...O and O-H...N hydrogen bonds spun into a three-dimensional network. Further stabilization arises from an intramolecular O-H...O bond and weak intermolecular C-H...O interactions. The very anisotropic growth speeds of the basal pinacoids from methanol mirror a certain structural inhomogeneity.