N,N'-Bis(2-pyridyl)benzene-1,2-diamine

Hindered rotation about the partial double C-N bonds between the amine and pyridine moieties in the title molecule, C16H14N4, results in two different conformations of the N-aryl-2-aminopyridine units. One, assuming an E conformation, is involved in a pair of N-H...N hydrogen bonds that generate a centrosymmetric R2(2)(8) motif. The second, adopting a Z conformation, is not engaged in any hydrogen bonding and is flattened, the dihedral angle between the benzene and pyridine rings being 12.07 (7) degrees. This conformation is stabilized by an intramolecular C-H...N interaction [C...N = 2.9126 (19) A, H...N = 2.31 A and C-H...N = 120 degrees ].