Steric repulsion and supra­molecular assemblies via a two-dimensional plate by C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds in two closely related 2-(benzo­furan-2-yl)-2-oxoethyl benzoates

2-(Benzo­furan-2-yl)-2-oxoethyl 2-chloro­benzoate, C17H11ClO4 (I), and 2-(benzo­furan-2-yl)-2-oxoethyl 2-meth­oxy­benzoate, C18H14O5 (II), were synthesized under mild conditions. Their chemical and mol­ecular structures were analyzed by spectroscopic and single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies, respectively. These compounds possess different ortho-substituted functional groups on their phenyl rings, thus experiencing extra steric repulsion force within their mol­ecules as the substituent changes from 2-chloro (I) to 2-meth­oxy (II). The crystal packing of compound (I) depends on weak inter­molecular hydrogen bonds and π–π inter­actions. Mol­ecules are related by inversion into centrosymmetric dimers via C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, and further strengthened by π–π inter­actions between furan rings. Conversely, mol­ecules in compound (II) are linked into alternating dimeric chains propagating along the [101] direction, which develop into a two-dimensional plate through extensive inter­molecular hydrogen bonds. These plates are further stabilized by π–π and C—H⋯π inter­actions.