1,2-Bis(2-pyridylformimidoyl)hydrazine

The title compound, C12H12N6, is the minor trans product of the preparation of a dihydrotetrazine. Extensive electron delocalization is shown by the p lanarity of the molecule, except for one pyridyl group twisted out of plane by 14.1(1)degrees. The C=N-N=C fragment has a C-N distance of 1.297(2)Angs trom and an N-N distance of 1.404(2)A. All other C-N distances are close to 1.34 Angstrom, typical of C=N bonds. The NH2 groups form hydrogen bonds to pyridyl and hydrazine N atoms of adjacent molecules.