N,N′-Bis(3-methylphenyl)propanediamide

The molecular structure of the title compound, C17H18N2O2, is symmetrical around the central C atom. The two halves of the molecule are related by a twofold rotation axis. In each half of the molecule, the structure is stabilized by intramolecular C—H...O hydrogen bonds. Furthermore, each amide group is almost coplanar with the adjacent benzene ring [dihedral angle is 9.2 (2)°]. The planes of the amide groups are inclined at an angle of 68.5 (1)°, while the two benzene rings make a dihedral angle of 70.40 (3)°. In the crystal, molecules are linked by intermolecular N—H...O hydrogen bonds into chains running along the c axis. Neighbouring chains are weakly coupled by π–π stacking interactions [centroid–centroid distance = 3.7952 (8) ].