N,N′-Bis(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)oxalamide benzene monosolvate: crystal structure, Hirshfeld surface analysis and computational study

Abstract

The asymmetric unit of the title 1:1 solvate, C14H14N4O2·C6H6 [systematic name of the oxalamide molecule: N,N′-bis(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)ethanediamide], comprises a half molecule of each constituent as each is disposed about a centre of inversion. In the oxalamide molecule, the central C2N2O2 atoms are planar (r.m.s. deviation = 0.0006 Å). An intramolecular amide-N—H...O(amide) hydrogen bond is evident, which gives rise to an S(5) loop. Overall, the molecule adopts an antiperiplanar disposition of the pyridyl rings, and an orthogonal relationship is evident between the central plane and each terminal pyridyl ring [dihedral angle = 86.89 (3)°]. In the crystal, supramolecular layers parallel to (10\overline{2}) are generated owing the formation of amide-N—H...N(pyridyl) hydrogen bonds. The layers stack encompassing benzene molecules which provide the links between layers via methylene-C—H...π(benzene) and benzene-C—H...π(pyridyl) interactions. The specified contacts are indicated in an analysis of the calculated Hirshfeld surfaces. The energy of stabilization provided by the conventional hydrogen bonding (approximately 40 kJ mol−1; electrostatic forces) is just over double that by the C—H...π contacts (dispersion forces).