4-bromo-2-(hydroxymethyl)phenol: helical hydrogen bonding, R(2)(2)(12) rings and C--H...pi interactions.

Apart from the O and H atoms of the hydroxymethyl group, molecules of the title compound, C(7)H(7)BrO(2), are essentially planar. Both O atoms act as hydrogen-bond donors and acceptors, resulting in helical hydrogen bonding in the direction of the b axis and the formation of R(2)(2)(12) rings. Weaker C--H...pi interactions are also present.