Weak C—H...N[triple‐bond]C hydrogen bonds in the structures of two poly(cyano)‐substituted ring systems

In benzene‐1,2,3‐tricarbonitrile, C₉H₃N₃, the packing of the two independent molecules is three‐dimensional and complex, involving inter alia bifurcated (C—H)₂...N systems from neighbouring CH groups. In 2.2]paracyclophane‐4,5,12,13‐tetracarbonitrile, C₂₀H₁₂N₄, the 2.2]paracyclophane systems display the usual distortions, namely lengthened C—C bonds and widened sp³ angles in the bridges, narrow angles in the six‐membered rings at the bridgehead atoms, and flattened boat conformations of the rings. The molecules are linked by a series of C—H...N interactions to form layers parallel to the ab plane.