The effect of molecular planarity on crystal non-centrosymmetry in benzylidene-aniline derivatives

In the title compound, N-(2-methoxyphenyl)-4-nitrobenzylideneamine, C14H12N2O3, the two phenyl rings make a dihedral angle of 48.0 (2)° and the nitro group is at an angle of 6.5 (1)° with respect to its attached phenyl ring. In the crystal structure, molecules are related as centrosymmetric pairs through π-π interactions and are further connected through strong C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds [C⋯O 3.4259 (17) Å and C-H⋯O 167°], forming molecular stacks along [100]. These stacks associate further through longer C-H⋯O interactions, forming two-dimensional networks. In the c direction, there are only weak van der Waals interactions. The relationship between the molecular planarity and its centrosymmetry is also briefly described.