Synthesis and crystal structure of 1,3-bis{[N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]methyl}-5-{[(4,6-di-methylpyridin-2-yl)amino]methyl}-2,4,6-triethylbenzene

In the crystal structure of the title compound, C30H50N4O4, the two bis(hydroxyethyl)amino moieties and the 2,4-dimethylpyridinylamino unit of the molecule are located on one side of the central benzene ring, while the ethyl substituents are oriented in the opposite direction. The dihedral angle between the planes of the aromatic rings is 73.6 (1)degrees. The conformation of the molecule is stabilized by intramolecular O-H center dot center dot center dot O (1.86-2.12 angstrom) and C-H center dot center dot center dot N (2.40, 2.54 angstrom) hydrogen bonds. Dimers of inversion-related molecules represent the basic supramolecular entities of the crystal structure. They are further connected via O-H center dot center dot center dot O hydrogen bonding into undulating layers extending parallel to the crystallographic bc plane. Interlayer interaction is accomplished by weak C-H center dot center dot center dot pi contacts.