STRUCTURES OF 1,1-DIPHENYL-2-AZA-1,3-BUTADIENES .1. -METHOXY-PHENYL)-1,1-DIPHENYL-2-AZA-1,3-BUTADIENES (N = 2, 3, 4)

The different position of the methoxy substituent in the three title 2 -azabutadienes, 2MOPD, 3MOPD and 4MOPD phenyl)-2-(diphenylmethylene-am ino)propenonitrile, yphenyl)-2-(diphenyl-methyleneamino)propenonitrile and hen-yl)-2-(diphenylmethyleneamino)propenonitrile], has a small in fluence on their geometry and conformation. The average bond lengths a long the C=N-C=C fragment [1.286 (3), 1.405 (3) and 1. 346 (3) angstro m] indicate a high degree of localization of the double and single bon ds. The average torsion angle along the central N-C bond is 138-degree s. The phenyl rings are tilted from the N=C(C(Ph))-C(Ph) plane by 4.5 (1)-65.0 (1)-degrees. The substituents around the C=C bond are arrange d in a Z configuration. The molecules are packed by van der Waals forc es.