N-{4-[(E)-(4-Methylphenyl)iminomethyl]phenyl}acetamide

There are two symmetry-independent molecules in the asymmetric unit of the title compound, C16H16N2O, that differ in conformation. The dihedral angles between the benzene rings in the two molecules are 44.35 (19) and 48.14 (17)°, but the rings twist in opposite directions. The acetamide groups make nearly equal dihedral angles of 25.4 (3) and 25.7 (3)° with the parent benzene rings. An S(6) ring motif is formed in each molecule by intramolecular C—H...O close contacts. In the crystal, strong N—H...O hydrogen bonds between acetamide groups generate a C(4) chain motif arranging the molecules into two symmetry-independent polymeric structures extending along [010].