Benzil bis(ketazine)

Abstract

The title compound (systematic name: 1,1′,2,2′-tetraphenyl-2,2′-azinodiethanone), C28H20N2O2, was obtained by the reaction of benzil monohydrazone with chromium(III) nitrate. The dibenzylidene hydrazine unit is nearly planar (r.m.s. deviation = 0.073 Å) and the two benzoyl units are oriented almost perpendicular to it [dihedral angle = 87.81 (2), 87.81 (2)°]. The molecules are linked into chains along the c axis by C—H...O hydrogen bonds and the chains are cross-linked via C—H...π interactions involving the benzoyl phenyl rings.