4‐[2‐(4‐Methoxyphenyl)ethenyl]‐N‐methylpyridinium tetraphenylborate

In the cation of the title compound, C₁₅H₁₆NO⁺·C₂₄H₂₀B^?, the pyridyl ring makes a dihedral angle of 14.03° with the phenyl ring. The anion has a slightly distorted tetrahedral geometry and forms honeycomb‐like sheets which extend along the b axis, forming channels containing the cations. A comparison of packing energies reveals a difference between the title compound and a similar material which has non‐linear optical properties.