4,4′-Dimethoxy-2,2′-[1,2-phenylenebis(nitrilomethylidyne)]diphenol.

The title compound, C22H20N2O4, was synthesized by the reaction of o-phenylenediamine with 5-methoxysalicylaldehyde, as an extension of our investigations of Schiff base ligands and complexes. The central ring makes dihedral angles of 36.35 (5) and 17.81 (5)° with the two phenol rings. Each methoxy group is coplanar with the attached phenol ring. There are two O—H...N intramolecular hydrogen bonds involving the two hydroxy groups, which generate S(6) ring motifs. In the crystal structure, the molecules are arranged into chains along the c axis. These chains form molecular sheets parallel to the ac plane. The crystal is stabilized by intramolecular O—H...N hydrogen bonds and C—H...π interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]