Synthesis and X-ray Crystal Structure of N’-Cyano-N,N’-dimethyl-4-nitrobenzohydrazide

Using a two-step procedure N’-Cyano-N,N’-dimethyl-4-nitrobenzohydrazide was synthesized. The structure was established using single crystal X-ray diffraction. It crystalized in the orthorhombic space group P2₁2₁2₁ with a = 8.1974(6), b = 10.6696(7), and c = 12.9766(8) Å. The first reported crystal structure of an acyclic cyanohydrazide is discussed with the focus on the geometry of the hydrazide moiety but also intermolecular contacts in the crystal are considered. Implications of the structural findings towards the enzyme inhibitory activity of related azapeptide nitriles are indicated.