3-Phenyl-1,5-di-2-pyridylpentane-1,5-dione.

In the title compound, C21H18N2O2, synthesized by the reaction of benzaldehyde with 2-acetyl­pyridine and KOH, the phenyl ring makes dihedral angles of 88.5 (1) and 83.9 (1)° with the two pyridine rings. The crystal packing is stabilized by weak inter­molecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, with an H⋯O distance of 2.47 Å, and by van der Waals forces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]