Synthesis, crystal structure, Hirshfeld surface analysis, DFT calculations, 3D energy frameworks studies of Schiff base derivative 2,2′-((1Z,1′Z)-(1,2-phenylene bis(azanylylidene)) bis(methanylylidene)) diphenol

•A Schiff base derivative was synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.•Hirshfeld surface analysis was carried out to study the intermolecular interactions present in the moleucle.•Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed.•Intramolecular interactions are validated by atoms in molecule (AIM) theory.•Reduced density gradient (RDG) analysis is performed. The title compound 2,2′-((1Z,1′Z)-(1,2-phenylene bis(azanylylidene)) bis(methanylylidene)) diphenol was synthesized with a good yield. The crude product was recrystallized using ethanol and acetonitrile as solvent. Elemental analysis and spectroscopic analysis (NMR, LC-MS) were done to elucidate the structure. The compound was characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The intermolecular interaction of the type and CH⋯O between the molecules in a crystal was shown by Hirshfeld surface analysis. Intramolecular interactions of the type OH⋯N was shown by atoms in molecule (AIM) theory calculations. The energy framework calculations revealed that the dispersion energy is dominant. The orbital energy gap between HOMO and LUMO was found to be 3.9678 eV. The charge distribution in the compound is visualised using molecular electrostatic potential surface.