Azole. 44.

The structure analyses of racemic 3‐chloro‐1‐(4‐morpholino‐5‐nitro­imidazol‐1‐yl)­propan‐2‐ol, C₁₀H₁₅ClN₄O₄, (II), and 3‐chloro‐1‐(5‐morpholino‐4‐nitro­imidazol‐1‐yl)­propan‐2‐ol, C₁₀H₁₅ClN₄O₄, (III), have been undertaken in order to determine the position of the morpholine residue in these two isomers. The morpholine residue in (II) is connected at the 4‐position, while in (III), it is connected at the 5‐position of the imidazole ring. The morpholine mean planes and nitro groups in the two compounds deviate from the imidazole planes to different extents. The nitro groups in (II) and (III) take part in the conjugation system of the imidazole rings. In consequence, the exocyclic C—N bonds are significantly shorter than the normal single Csp²—NO₂ bond and the nitro groups in (II) and (III) show an extraordinary stability on treatment with morpholine and piperidine [Gzella, Wrzeciono & Pöppel (1999). Acta Cryst. C 55 , 1562–1565]. In the crystal lattice, the mol­ecules of both compounds are linked by O—H?N and C—H?O intermolecular hydrogen bonds.     

Hydrogen‐bonded assembly in six closely related pyrazolo[3,4‐b]pyridine derivatives; a simple chain,three types of chains of rings and a complex sheet structure

Six closely related pyrazolo[3,4‐b]pyridine derivatives, namely 6‐chloro‐3‐methyl‐1,4‐diphenylpyrazolo[3,4‐b]pyridine‐5‐carbaldehyde, C₂₀H₁₄ClN₃O, (I), 6‐chloro‐3‐methyl‐4‐(4‐methylphenyl)‐1‐phenylpyrazolo[3,4‐b]pyridine‐5‐carbaldehyde, C₂₁H₁₆ClN₃O, (II), 6‐chloro‐4‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐3‐methyl‐1‐phenylpyrazolo[3,4‐b]pyridine‐5‐carbaldehyde, C₂₀H₁₃Cl₂N₃O, (III), 4‐(4‐bromophenyl)‐6‐chloro‐3‐methyl‐1‐phenylpyrazolo[3,4‐b]pyridine‐5‐carbaldehyde, C₂₀H₁₃BrClN₃O, (IV), 6‐chloro‐4‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐3‐methyl‐1‐phenylpyrazolo[3,4‐b]pyridine‐5‐carbaldehyde, C₂₁H₁₆ClN₃O₂, (V), and 6‐chloro‐3‐methyl‐4‐(4‐nitrophenyl)‐1‐phenylpyrazolo[3,4‐b]pyridine‐5‐carbaldehyde, C₂₀H₁₃ClN₄O₃, (VI), which differ only in the identity of a single small substituent on one of the aryl rings, crystallize in four different space groups spanning three crystal systems. The molecules of (I) are linked into a chain of rings by a combination of C—H...N and C—H...π(arene) hydrogen bonds; those of (II), (IV) and (V), which all crystallize in the space group P, are each linked by two independent C—H...O hydrogen bonds to form chains of edge‐fused rings running in different directions through the three unit cells; the molecules of (III) are linked into complex sheets by a combination of two C—H...O hydrogen bonds and one C—H...π(arene) hydrogen bond; finally, the molecules of (VI) are linked by a single C—H...O hydrogen bond to form a simple chain.     

Cyano–cyano and chloro–cyano interactions in two imidazole derivatives

In two closely related 1‐aryl‐2‐methyl‐4‐nitro‐5‐cyano­imid­azoles, namely 2‐methyl‐4‐nitro‐1‐phenyl‐1H‐imidazole‐5‐carbo­nitrile, C₁₁H₈N₄O₂, and 1‐(4‐chloro­phenyl)‐2‐methyl‐4‐nitro‐1H‐imidazole‐5‐carbo­nitrile, C₁₁H₇ClN₄O₂, different weak intermolecular interactions determine the crystal packing. In the 1‐phenyl derivative, dipole–dipole interactions between antiparallel cyano groups connect mol­ecules into centrosymmetric dimers, while in the 1‐(4‐chloro­phenyl) derivative, the dimers are connected by C≡N⋯Cl—C halogen bonds. These interactions, together with weak C—H⋯O(N) hydrogen bonds, connect mol­ecules related by subsequent centres of inversion into infinite tapes.     

Quinoline derivatives: potential antiparasitic and antiviral agents

The crystal structures of closely related quinoline compounds substituted at the 2‐position by a vinyl group, either including a Cl atom [2‐(1‐chloro‐2‐methylprop‐1‐enyl)‐8‐nitroquinoline, C₁₃H₁₁ClN₂O₂, (I)] or not [2‐(2‐methylprop‐1‐enyl)‐8‐nitroquinoline, C₁₃H₁₂N₂O₂, (II)], show an important deviation of the vinyl group from coplanarity with the quinoline ring system if the Cl atom is present. The nitro group is perpendicular [in (II)] or nearly so [in (I)] to the quinoline ring system. In (II), all non‐H atoms except the nitro O atoms are located on a crystallographic mirror plane.     

The effect of Cl...π interactions on the conformations of 4‐chloro‐5‐(2‐phenoxyethoxy)phthalonitrile and 4‐chloro‐5‐[2‐(pentafluorophenoxy)ethoxy]phthalonitrile

4‐Chloro‐5‐(2‐phenoxyethoxy)phthalonitrile, C₁₆H₁₁ClN₂O₂, (I), and 4‐chloro‐5‐[2‐(pentafluorophenoxy)ethoxy]phthalonitrile, C₁₆H₆ClF₅N₂O₂, (II), show different types of electrostatic interaction. In (I), the phenoxy and phthalonitrile (benzene‐1,2‐dicarbonitrile) moieties are well separated in an open conformation and intermolecular C—H...π interactions are observed in the crystal packing. On the other hand, in (II), the pentafluorophenoxy moiety interacts closely with the Cl atom to form a folded conformation containing an intramolecular halogen–π interaction.     

2‐Amino‐4‐chloro‐5‐formyl‐6‐[methyl(2‐methylphenyl)amino]pyrimidine and 2‐amino‐4‐chloro‐5‐formyl‐6‐[(2‐methoxyphenyl)methylamino]pyrimidine are isostructural and form hydrogen‐bonded sheets of R22(8) and R66(32) rings

2‐Amino‐4‐chloro‐5‐formyl‐6‐[methyl(2‐methylphenyl)amino]pyrimidine, C₁₃H₁₃ClN₄O, (I), and 2‐amino‐4‐chloro‐5‐formyl‐6‐[(2‐methoxyphenyl)methylamino]pyrimidine, C₁₃H₁₃ClN₄O₂, (II), are isostructural and essentially isomorphous. Although the pyrimidine rings in each compound are planar, the ring‐substituent atoms show significant displacements from this plane, and the bond distances provide evidence for polarization of the electronic structures. In each compound, a combination of N—H...N and N—H...O hydrogen bonds links the molecules into sheets built from centrosymmetric R₂²(8) and R₆⁶(32) rings. The significance of this study lies in its observation of the isostructural nature of (I) and (II), and in the comparison of their crystal and molecular structures with those of analogous compounds.     

Crystal packing of two 5‐substituted 2‐methyl‐4‐nitro‐1H‐imidazoles

Infinite chains connected by N—H...N hydrogen bonding form the primary packing motif in two closely related 4‐nitroimidazole derivatives, viz. 5‐bromo‐2‐methyl‐4‐nitro‐1H‐imidazole, C₄H₄BrN₃O₂, (I), and 2‐methyl‐4‐nitro‐1H‐imidazole‐5‐carbonitrile, C₅H₄N₄O₂, (II). These chains are almost identical, even though in (II) there are two symmetry‐independent molecules in the asymmetric unit. The differences appear in the interactions between the chains; in (I), there are strong C—Br...O halogen bonds, which connect the chains into a two‐dimensional grid, while in (II), the cyano group does not participate in specific interactions and the chains are only loosely connected into a three‐dimensional structure.     

Similar molecular constitutions but different conformations and different supramolecular assemblies in two related fused tetracyclic benzo[b]pyrimido[5,4‐f]azepine derivatives

A simple and effective two‐step approach to tricyclic pyrimidine‐fused benzazepines has been adapted to give the tetracyclic analogues. In (RS)‐8‐chloro‐6‐methyl‐1,2,6,7‐tetrahydropyrimido[5′,4′:6,7]azepino[3,2,1‐hi]indole, C₁₅H₁₄ClN₃, (I), the five‐membered ring adopts an envelope conformation, as does the reduced pyridine ring in (RS)‐9‐chloro‐7‐methyl‐2,3,7,8‐tetrahydro‐1H‐pyrimido[5′,4′:6,7]azepino[3,2,1‐ij]quinoline, C₁₆H₁₆ClN₃, (II). However, the seven‐membered rings in (I) and (II) adopt very different conformations, with the result that the methyl substituent occupies a quasi‐axial site in (I) but a quasi‐equatorial site in (II). The molecules of (I) are linked by C—H...N hydrogen bonds to form C(5) chains and inversion‐related pairs of chains are linked by a π–π stacking interaction. A combination of a C—H...π hydrogen bond and two C—Cl...π interactions links the molecules of (II) into complex sheets. Comparisons are made with some similar fused heterocyclic compounds.     

N—H...O and N—H...N interactions in three pyran derivatives

The three pyran structures 6‐methylamino‐5‐nitro‐2,4‐diphenyl‐4H‐pyran‐3‐carbonitrile, C₁₉H₁₅N₃O₃, (I), 4‐(3‐fluorophenyl)‐6‐methylamino‐5‐nitro‐2‐phenyl‐4H‐pyran‐3‐carbonitrile, C₁₉H₁₄FN₃O₃, (II), and 4‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐6‐methylamino‐5‐nitro‐2‐phenyl‐4H‐pyran‐3‐carbonitrile, C₁₉H₁₄ClN₃O₃, (III), differ in the nature of the aryl group at the 4‐position. The heterocyclic ring in all three structures adopts a flattened boat conformation. The dihedral angle between the pseudo‐axial phenyl substituent and the flat part of the pyran ring is 89.97 (1)° in (I), 80.11 (1)° in (II) and 87.77 (1)° in (III). In all three crystal structures, a strong intramolecular N—H...O hydrogen bond links the flat conjugated H—N—C=C—N—O fragment into a six‐membered ring. In (II), molecules are linked into dimeric aggregates by N—H... O(nitro) hydrogen bonds, generating an R₂²(12) graph‐set motif. In (III), intermolecular N—H...N and C—H...N hydrogen bonds link the molecules into a linear chain pattern generating C(8) and C(9) graph‐set motifs, respectively.     

4‐(4‐Chloro­benzyl­ideneamino)‐1,5‐dimethyl‐2‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐3(2H)‐one and 4‐(2‐chloro­benzyl­idene­amino)‐1,5‐dimethyl‐2‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐3(2H)‐one

The two title compounds, both with formula C₁₈H₁₆ClN₃O, are structurally similar Schiff bases derived from the condensation of 4‐chloro­benzaldehyde or 2‐chloro­benzaldehyde with 4‐amino­anti­pyrine in methanol solution. As expected, both compounds adopt trans configurations about the central C=N bonds. In the crystal structure of the 4‐chloro analogue, mol­ecules are linked through weak C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming chains running along the a axis. In the crystal structure of the 2‐chloro analogue, mol­ecules are linked through weak C—H⋯O and C—H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds, forming layers parallel to the ab plane.     

Positional isomeric effect on the crystallization of chlorine‐substituted N‐phenyl‐2‐phthalimidoethanesulfonamide derivatives

The ortho‐, para‐ and meta‐chloro‐substituted N‐chlorophenyl‐2‐phthalimidoethanesulfonamide derivatives, C₁₆H₁₃ClN₂O₄S, have been structurally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography. N‐(2‐Chlorophenyl)‐2‐phthalimidoethanesulfonamide, (I), has orthorhombic (P2₁2₁2₁) symmetry, N‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐2‐phthalimidoethanesulfonamide, (II), has triclinic (P) symmetry and N‐(3‐chlorophenyl)‐2‐phthalimidoethanesulfonamide, (III), has monoclinic (P2₁/c) symmetry. The molecules of (I)–(III) are regioisomers which have crystallized in different space groups as a result of the differing intra‐ and intermolecular hydrogen‐bond interactions which are present in each structure. Compounds (I) and (II) are stabilized by N—H...O and C—H...O hydrogen bonds, while (III) is stabilized by N—H...O, C—H...O and C—H...Cl hydrogen‐bond interactions. The structure of (II) also displays π–π stacking interactions between the isoindole and benzene rings. All three structures are of interest with respect to their biological activities and have been studied as part of a programme to develop anticonvulsant drugs for the treatment of epilepsy.     

1‐Chloro‐2‐nitro­benzene: N—O⋯Cl halogen bonds and aromatic π–π stacking,and thermal vibrations in the vicinity of the melting point

The crystal structure of 1‐chloro‐2‐nitro­benzene, C₆H₄ClNO₂, is made up of mol­ecules which are linked by N—O⋯Cl halogen bonds. These mol­ecular chains are involved in aromatic π–π stacking; the inter­molecular O⋯Cl distance is 3.09 Å. Such short halogen bonds are not common. A rigid‐body analysis including the non‐rigidly attached rigid group provides the mean‐square amplitudes of the mol­ecular translations and librations, and of the inter­nal torsional vibrations of the nitro group. The results reveal the driving role of the torsional vibrations of the nitro group in the phase transition to the liquid phase.     

Supramolecular networks in (9‐fluoro‐4H‐chromeno[4,3‐c]isoxazol‐3‐yl)methanol and its 9‐chloro analogue at 100 K

The title compounds, (9‐fluoro‐4H‐chromeno[4,3‐c]isoxazol‐3‐yl)methanol, C₁₁H₈FNO₃, (I), and (9‐chloro‐4H‐chromeno[4,3‐c]isoxazol‐3‐yl)methanol, C₁₁H₈ClNO₃, (II), crystallize in the orthorhombic space group Pbca with Z′ = 1 and the triclinic space group P with Z′ = 6, respectively. The simple replacement of F by Cl in the main molecular scaffold of (I) and (II) results in significant differences in the intermolecular interaction patterns and a corresponding change in the point‐group symmetry from D_2h to C_i = S₂. These striking differences are manifested through the presence of C—H...F and the absence of O—H...O and C—H...O interactions in (I), and the absence of C—H...Cl and the presence of O—H...O and C—H...O interactions in (II). However, the geometry of the synthons formed by the O—H...N and O—H...X (X = F or Cl) interactions observed in the constitution of the supramolecular networks of both (I) and (II) remains similar. Also, C—H...O interactions are not preferred in the presence of F in (I), while they are much preferred in the presence of Cl in (II).     

The diastereoisomers 2‐[(S/R)‐2‐chloro‐3‐quinolyl]‐2‐[(R)‐1‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)ethylamino]acetonitrile at 100 K

In the structures of the two enantiopure diastereoisomers of the title compound, C₂₀H₁₈ClN₃O, which crystallize in different space groups, the molecules are very similar as far as bond distances and angles are concerned, but more substantial differences are observed in some torsion angles. The crystal structures of both molecules can be described as zigzag layers along the c axis. The packing is stabilized by hydrogen‐bond interactions of N—H...O, C—H...Cl and C—H...π types for 2‐[(R)‐2‐chloro‐3‐quinolyl]‐2‐[(R)‐1‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)ethylamino]acetonitrile, and of N—H...N, C—H...O and C—H...π types for 2‐[(S)‐2‐chloro‐3‐quinolyl]‐2‐[(R)‐1‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)ethylamino]acetonitrile, resulting in the formation of two‐ and three‐dimensional networks.     

Two‐component molecular crystals composed of chloronitrobenzoic acids and 4‐aminopyridine

The crystal structures of the four isomeric organic salts 4‐amino­pyridinium 2‐chloro‐4‐nitro­benzoate, (I), 4‐amino­pyridinium 2‐chloro‐5‐nitro­benzoate, (II), 4‐amino­pyridinium 5‐chloro‐2‐nitro­benzoate, (III), and 4‐amino­pyridinium 4‐chloro‐2‐nitro­benzoate, (IV), all C₅H₇N₂⁺·C₇H₃ClNO₄^?, are presented. Compound (I) has one intramolecular hydrogen bond, one intermolecular C—H?O hydrogen bond and π–π‐stacking interactions. Compound (II) has N—H?O, C—H?O and C—H?Cl hydrogen bonds, and Cl?O—C electrostatic interactions. Compound (III) has N—H?O and C—H?O hydrogen bonds. Compound (IV) has a π–π‐stacking interaction, but no C—H?O hydrogen bonds.     

Five closely related 4‐chloro‐6,11‐dihydro‐5H‐benzo[b]pyrimido[5,4‐f]azepines: similar molecular structures but different supramolecular assemblies

Dibenz[b,f]azepine (DBA) is a privileged 6‐7‐6 tricyclic ring system of importance in both organic and medicinal chemistry. Benzo[b]pyrimido[5,4‐f]azepines (BPAs), which also contain a privileged 6‐7‐6 ring system, are less well investigated, probably because of a lack of straightforward and versatile methods for their synthesis. A simple and versatile synthetic approach to BPAs based on intramolecular Friedel–Crafts alkylation has been developed. A group of closely‐related benzo[b]pyrimido[5,4‐f]azepine derivatives, namely (6RS)‐4‐chloro‐6,11‐dimethyl‐6,11‐dihydro‐5H‐benzo[b]pyrimido[5,4‐f]azepine, C₁₄H₁₄ClN₃, (I), (6RS)‐4‐chloro‐8‐hydroxy‐6,11‐dimethyl‐6,11‐dihydro‐5H‐benzo[b]pyrimido[5,4‐f]azepine, C₁₄H₁₄ClN₃O, (II), (6RS)‐4‐<!?tlsb=‐0.14pt>chloro‐8‐methoxy‐6,11‐dimethyl‐6,11‐dihydro‐5H‐benzo[b]pyrimido[5,4‐f]azepine, C₁₅H₁₆ClN₃O, (III), and (6RS)‐4‐chloro‐8‐methoxy‐6,11‐dimethyl‐2‐phenyl‐6,11‐dihydro‐5H‐benzo[b]pyrimido[5,4‐f]azepine, C₂₁H₂₀ClN₃O, (IV), has been prepared and their structures compared with the recently published structure [Acosta‐Quintero et al. (2015). Eur. J. Org. Chem. pp. 5360–5369] of (6RS)‐4‐chloro‐2,6,8,11‐tetramethyl‐6,11‐dihydro‐5H‐benzo[b]pyrimido[5,4‐f]azepine, (V). All five compounds crystallize as racemic mixtures and they have very similar molecular conformations, with the azepine ring adopting a boat‐type conformation in each case, although the orientation of the methoxy substituent in each of (III) and (IV) is different. The supramolecular assemblies in (II) and (IV) depend upon hydrogen bonds of the O—H...N and C—H...π(arene) types, respectively, those in (I) and (V) depend upon π–π stacking interactions involving pairs of pyrimidine rings, and that in (III) depends upon a π–π stacking interaction involving pairs of phenyl rings. Short C—Cl...π(pyrimidine) contacts are present in (I), (II) and (IV) but not in (III) or (V).     

1‐(7‐Chloro‐1,4‐dihydroquinolin‐4‐ylidene)thiosemicarbazide and its hydrochloride: evidence for the existence of a stable imine tautomer in the solid state of 4‐aminoquinoline free bases,an anomalous case in nitrogen heterocycles

In the solid state, crystals of both 1‐(7‐chloro‐1,4‐dihydroquinolin‐4‐ylidene)thiosemicarbazide–methanol–water (2/1/1), 2C₁₀H₉ClN₄S·CH₃OH·H₂O, (I), and its hydrochloride salt {systematic name: [(7‐chloro‐1,4‐dihydroquinolin‐4‐ylidene)azaniumyl]thiourea chloride}, C₁₀H₁₀ClN₄S⁺·Cl⁻, (II), assume the imine tautomeric form, contrary to other 4‐amino‐7‐chloroquinolines. Of particular interest are the N—C bond lengths, which have appreciable double‐bond character, and the C—N—C aromatic ring bond angle. Both of these parameters have been studied extensively in 4‐amino‐substituted quinolines. The crystal structures of (I) and (II) in this study provide interesting examples of the amino–imino tautomerism which exists in this class of compound and is, to the best of our knowledge, hitherto unreported.     

Crystal structures of four δ‐keto esters and a Cambridge Structural Database analysis of cyano–halogen interactions

The revived interest in halogen bonding as a tool in pharmaceutical cocrystals and drug design has indicated that cyano–halogen interactions could play an important role. The crystal structures of four closely related δ‐keto esters, which differ only in the substitution at a single C atom (by H, OMe, Cl and Br), are compared, namely ethyl 2‐cyano‐5‐oxo‐5‐phenyl‐3‐(piperidin‐1‐yl)pent‐2‐enoate, C₁₉H₂₂N₂O₃, (1), ethyl 2‐cyano‐5‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐5‐oxo‐3‐(piperidin‐1‐yl)pent‐2‐enoate, C₂₀H₂₄N₂O₄, (2), ethyl 5‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐2‐cyano‐5‐oxo‐3‐(piperidin‐1‐yl)pent‐2‐enoate, C₁₉H₂₁ClN₂O₃, (3), and the previously published ethyl 5‐(4‐bromophenyl)‐2‐cyano‐5‐oxo‐3‐(piperidin‐1‐yl)pent‐2‐enoate, C₁₉H₂₁BrN₂O₃, (4) [Maurya, Vasudev & Gupta (2013). RSC Adv. 3 , 12955–12962]. The molecular conformations are very similar, while there are differences in the molecular assemblies. Intermolecular C—H...O hydrogen bonds are found to be the primary interactions in the crystal packing and are present in all four structures. The halogenated derivatives have additional aromatic–aromatic interactions and cyano–halogen interactions, further stabilizing the molecular packing. A database analysis of cyano–halogen interactions using the Cambridge Structural Database [CSD; Groom & Allen (2014). Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 53 , 662–671] revealed that about 13% of the organic molecular crystals containing both cyano and halogen groups have cyano–halogen interactions in their packing. Three geometric parameters for the C—X...N[triple‐bond]C interaction (X = F, Cl, Br or I), viz. the N...X distance and the C—X...N and C—N...X angles, were analysed. The results indicate that all the short cyano–halogen contacts in the CSD can be classified as halogen bonds, which are directional noncovalent interactions.     

Three quinolone compounds featuring O...I halogen bonding

Ethyl 1‐ethyl‐6‐iodo‐4‐oxo‐1,4‐dihydroquinoline‐3‐carboxylate, C₁₄H₁₄INO₃, (I), and ethyl 1‐cyclopropyl‐6‐iodo‐4‐oxo‐1,4‐dihydroquinoline‐3‐carboxylate, C₁₅H₁₄INO₃, (II), have isomorphous crystal structures, while ethyl 1‐dimethylamino‐6‐iodo‐4‐oxo‐1,4‐dihydroquinoline‐3‐carboxylate, C₁₄H₁₅IN₂O₃, (III), possesses a different solid‐state supramolecular architecture. In all three structures, O...I halogen‐bonding interactions connect the quinolone molecules into infinite chains parallel to the unique crystallographic b axis. In (I) and (II), these molecular chains are arranged in (101) layers, viaπ–π stacking and C—H...π interactions, and these layers are then interlinked by C—H...O interactions. The structural fragments involved in the C—H...O interactions differ between (I) and (II), accounting for the observed difference in planarity of the quinolone moieties in the two isomorphous structures. In (III), C—H...O and C—H...π interactions form (100) molecular layers, which are crosslinked by O...I and C—H...I interactions.     

Green chemistry synthesis: 2‐amino‐3‐[(E)‐(2‐pyridyl)methylideneamino]but‐2‐enedinitrile monohydrate and 5‐cyano‐2‐(2‐pyridyl)‐1‐(2‐pyridylmethyl)‐1H‐imidazole‐4‐carboxamide

The title compounds, C₁₀H₉N₅O·H₂O (L1·H₂O) and C₁₆H₁₂N₆O (L2), were synthesized by solvent‐free aldol condensation at room temperature. L1, prepared by grinding picolinaldehyde with 2,3‐diamino‐3‐isocyanoacrylonitrile in a 1:1 molar ratio, crystallized as a monohydrate. L2 was prepared by grinding picolinaldehyde with 2,3‐diamino‐3‐isocyanoacrylonitrile in a 2:1 molar ratio. By varying the conditions of crystallization it was possible to obtain two polymorphs, viz. L2‐I and L2‐II; both crystallized in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c. They differ in the orientation of one pyridine ring with respect to the plane of the imidazole ring. In L2‐I, this ring is oriented towards and above the imidazole ring, while in L2‐II it is rotated away from and below the imidazole ring. In all three molecules, there is a short intramolecular N—H...N contact inherent to the planarity of the systems. In L1·H₂O, this involves an amino H atom and the C=N N atom, while in L2 it involves an amino H atom and an imidazole N atom. In the crystal structure of L1·H₂O, there are N—H...O and O—H...O intermolecular hydrogen bonds which link the molecules to form two‐dimensional networks which stack along [001]. These networks are further linked via intermolecular N—H...N(cyano) hydrogen bonds to form an extended three‐dimensional network. In the crystal structure of L2‐I, symmetry‐related molecules are linked via N—H...N hydrogen bonds, leading to the formation of dimers centred about inversion centres. These dimers are further linked via N—H...O hydrogen bonds involving the amide group, also centred about inversion centres, to form a one‐dimensional arrangement propagating in [100]. In the crystal structure of L2‐II, the presence of intermolecular N—H...O hydrogen bonds involving the amide group results in the formation of dimers centred about inversion centres. These are linked via N—H...N hydrogen bonds involving the second amide H atom and the cyano N atom, to form two‐dimensional networks in the bc plane. In L2‐I and L2‐II, C—H...π and π–π interactions are also present.