Dimethyl (1-methyl-1,3-benzimidazol-5-yl)aminomethylenepropanedioate monohydrate

In the title compound, C(14)H(15)N(3)O(4).H(2)O, there is a strong conjugation push-pull effect across the central double bond, as reflected in the molecular dimensions and the planarity of the enaminone portion of the molecule. The molecule has an intramolecular hydrogen bond between the NH and CO groups in the Z configuration, adopting the chelated form. The two pi systems of the molecule (1-methylbenzimidazole and enaminone) are deconjugated and tilted with respect to each other by 15.6 (2) degrees. The solvent water molecule is hydrogen bonded to the N(1) atom of the 1-methylbenzimidazolyl group.