organic compounds
2-(2-Methyl-5-nitro-1H-imidazol-1-yl)ethyl 2-nitrobenzoate
aDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Yonsei University, 134, Shincheon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 120-749, Republic of Korea, bDepartment of Chemistry, University of Karachi, Karachi 75270, Pakistan, cDepartment of Chemistry, University of Leicester, George Porter Building, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, England, and dH.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi 75270, Pakistan
*Correspondence e-mail: raza_shahm@yahoo.com
In the title compound, C13H12N4O6, the mean plane through the nitrobenzene forms a dihedral angle of 37.38 (15)° with the plane through the imidazole ring. The crystal packing is stabilized by weak intermolecular C—H⋯O and C—H⋯N interactions together with π–π stacking interactions between nitrobenzene rings [centroid–centroid distance = 3.788 (3) Å] and between imidazole rings [centroid–centroid distance = 3.590 (2) Å].
Related literature
For the pharmacological uses of metronidazole, see: Mao et al. (2009); Cosar et al. (1966); Bowden & Izadi (1997). For a related structure, see: Bahadur et al. (2009). For additional structural analysis, see: Spek (2009).
Experimental
Crystal data
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Refinement
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Data collection: SMART (Bruker, 2001); cell SAINT (Bruker, 2001); data reduction: SHELXTL (Sheldrick, 2008); program(s) used to solve structure: SHELXS97 (Sheldrick, 2008); program(s) used to refine structure: SHELXL97 (Sheldrick, 2008); molecular graphics: SHELXTL; software used to prepare material for publication: SHELXTL.
Supporting information
10.1107/S1600536810004186/tk2618sup1.cif
contains datablocks I, global. DOI:Structure factors: contains datablock I. DOI: 10.1107/S1600536810004186/tk2618Isup2.hkl
Metronidazole (5 g, 29.23 mmol) was added to 4-nitrobenzoic acid (9.38 g, 56.11 mmol) dissolved in anhydrous CH2Cl2 (10 ml). Then, 4-dimethylaminopyridine (0.15 equiv.) and dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (1.25 equiv) were added, and the resulting solution stirred. After 12 h, the solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure. The crude reaction mixture was subjected to flash
over silica gel, successively eluting with n-hexane–ethyl acetate (2.8: 7.2) which afforded (I) in 73 % yield. Colorless crystals were obtained from the slow evaporation of a CH2Cl2 solution of (I).The C-bound H atoms were geometrically placed (C–H = 0.95–0.99 Å) and refined as riding with Uiso(H) = 1.2–1.5Ueq(C).
Data collection: SMART (Bruker, 2001); cell
SAINT (Bruker, 2001); data reduction: SHELXTL (Sheldrick, 2008); program(s) used to solve structure: SHELXS97 (Sheldrick, 2008); program(s) used to refine structure: SHELXL97 (Sheldrick, 2008); molecular graphics: SHELXTL (Sheldrick, 2008); software used to prepare material for publication: SHELXTL (Sheldrick, 2008).Fig. 1. Molecular Structure of (I) with atom labelling scheme and 30% probability displacement ellipsoids. |
C13H12N4O6 | F(000) = 664 |
Mr = 320.27 | Dx = 1.528 Mg m−3 |
Monoclinic, P21/c | Mo Kα radiation, λ = 0.71073 Å |
Hall symbol: -P 2ybc | Cell parameters from 721 reflections |
a = 15.392 (8) Å | θ = 2.8–23.3° |
b = 8.605 (4) Å | µ = 0.12 mm−1 |
c = 10.968 (5) Å | T = 150 K |
β = 106.576 (9)° | Plate, yellow |
V = 1392.3 (12) Å3 | 0.27 × 0.24 × 0.08 mm |
Z = 4 |
Bruker APEX 2000 CCD area-detector diffractometer | 2444 independent reflections |
Radiation source: fine-focus sealed tube | 1700 reflections with I > \2s(I) |
Graphite monochromator | Rint = 0.099 |
ϕ and ω scans | θmax = 25.0°, θmin = 1.4° |
Absorption correction: multi-scan (SADABS; Sheldrick, 1997) | h = −18→18 |
Tmin = 0.573, Tmax = 0.969 | k = −10→10 |
9743 measured reflections | l = −13→12 |
Refinement on F2 | Primary atom site location: structure-invariant direct methods |
Least-squares matrix: full | Secondary atom site location: difference Fourier map |
R[F2 > 2σ(F2)] = 0.056 | Hydrogen site location: inferred from neighbouring sites |
wR(F2) = 0.129 | H-atom parameters constrained |
S = 1.00 | w = 1/[σ2(Fo2) + (0.0572P)2] where P = (Fo2 + 2Fc2)/3 |
2444 reflections | (Δ/σ)max < 0.001 |
209 parameters | Δρmax = 0.23 e Å−3 |
0 restraints | Δρmin = −0.23 e Å−3 |
C13H12N4O6 | V = 1392.3 (12) Å3 |
Mr = 320.27 | Z = 4 |
Monoclinic, P21/c | Mo Kα radiation |
a = 15.392 (8) Å | µ = 0.12 mm−1 |
b = 8.605 (4) Å | T = 150 K |
c = 10.968 (5) Å | 0.27 × 0.24 × 0.08 mm |
β = 106.576 (9)° |
Bruker APEX 2000 CCD area-detector diffractometer | 2444 independent reflections |
Absorption correction: multi-scan (SADABS; Sheldrick, 1997) | 1700 reflections with I > \2s(I) |
Tmin = 0.573, Tmax = 0.969 | Rint = 0.099 |
9743 measured reflections |
R[F2 > 2σ(F2)] = 0.056 | 0 restraints |
wR(F2) = 0.129 | H-atom parameters constrained |
S = 1.00 | Δρmax = 0.23 e Å−3 |
2444 reflections | Δρmin = −0.23 e Å−3 |
209 parameters |
Geometry. All esds (except the esd in the dihedral angle between two l.s. planes) are estimated using the full covariance matrix. The cell esds are taken into account individually in the estimation of esds in distances, angles and torsion angles; correlations between esds in cell parameters are only used when they are defined by crystal symmetry. An approximate (isotropic) treatment of cell esds is used for estimating esds involving l.s. planes. |
Refinement. Refinement of F2 against ALL reflections. The weighted R-factor wR and goodness of fit S are based on F2, conventional R-factors R are based on F, with F set to zero for negative F2. The threshold expression of F2 > 2sigma(F2) is used only for calculating R-factors(gt) etc. and is not relevant to the choice of reflections for refinement. R-factors based on F2 are statistically about twice as large as those based on F, and R- factors based on ALL data will be even larger. |
x | y | z | Uiso*/Ueq | ||
O1 | 0.23596 (12) | 0.70542 (19) | 0.54231 (16) | 0.0328 (5) | |
O2 | 0.09150 (14) | 0.6281 (2) | 0.5020 (2) | 0.0531 (6) | |
O3 | 0.17653 (15) | 0.8476 (3) | 0.73301 (19) | 0.0554 (6) | |
O4 | 0.17995 (15) | 1.0918 (3) | 0.7714 (2) | 0.0678 (7) | |
O5 | 0.33567 (14) | 0.2348 (2) | 0.51061 (18) | 0.0456 (6) | |
O6 | 0.35085 (16) | 0.1756 (2) | 0.3260 (2) | 0.0535 (6) | |
N1 | 0.38462 (14) | 0.5437 (2) | 0.47700 (18) | 0.0274 (5) | |
N2 | 0.42041 (15) | 0.6345 (3) | 0.3073 (2) | 0.0349 (6) | |
N3 | 0.16552 (16) | 0.9819 (3) | 0.6976 (2) | 0.0429 (6) | |
N4 | 0.35352 (16) | 0.2691 (3) | 0.4118 (2) | 0.0359 (6) | |
C1 | 0.14715 (19) | 0.7286 (3) | 0.5095 (2) | 0.0335 (6) | |
C2 | 0.12371 (17) | 0.8940 (3) | 0.4747 (3) | 0.0336 (7) | |
C3 | 0.13293 (17) | 1.0152 (3) | 0.5613 (3) | 0.0342 (7) | |
C4 | 0.10931 (18) | 1.1655 (3) | 0.5259 (3) | 0.0419 (8) | |
H4 | 0.1170 | 1.2449 | 0.5882 | 0.050* | |
C5 | 0.0745 (2) | 1.1999 (4) | 0.3993 (3) | 0.0490 (8) | |
H5 | 0.0576 | 1.3035 | 0.3732 | 0.059* | |
C6 | 0.0642 (2) | 1.0840 (4) | 0.3104 (3) | 0.0500 (8) | |
H6 | 0.0395 | 1.1076 | 0.2227 | 0.060* | |
C7 | 0.08938 (19) | 0.9331 (4) | 0.3477 (3) | 0.0434 (7) | |
H7 | 0.0830 | 0.8546 | 0.2848 | 0.052* | |
C8 | 0.26654 (18) | 0.5514 (3) | 0.5882 (2) | 0.0327 (6) | |
H8A | 0.2339 | 0.4717 | 0.5272 | 0.039* | |
H8B | 0.2552 | 0.5323 | 0.6713 | 0.039* | |
C9 | 0.36572 (17) | 0.5446 (3) | 0.6016 (2) | 0.0287 (6) | |
H9A | 0.3959 | 0.6354 | 0.6514 | 0.034* | |
H9B | 0.3915 | 0.4495 | 0.6492 | 0.034* | |
C10 | 0.40945 (17) | 0.6699 (3) | 0.4201 (2) | 0.0306 (6) | |
C11 | 0.40087 (18) | 0.4813 (3) | 0.2895 (2) | 0.0351 (7) | |
H11 | 0.4019 | 0.4231 | 0.2163 | 0.042* | |
C12 | 0.37939 (18) | 0.4234 (3) | 0.3933 (2) | 0.0299 (6) | |
C13 | 0.4210 (2) | 0.8282 (3) | 0.4750 (3) | 0.0405 (7) | |
H13A | 0.4510 | 0.8942 | 0.4264 | 0.061* | |
H13B | 0.4582 | 0.8232 | 0.5638 | 0.061* | |
H13C | 0.3615 | 0.8718 | 0.4712 | 0.061* |
U11 | U22 | U33 | U12 | U13 | U23 | |
O1 | 0.0350 (11) | 0.0268 (10) | 0.0376 (11) | 0.0009 (8) | 0.0123 (9) | 0.0037 (8) |
O2 | 0.0401 (12) | 0.0407 (13) | 0.0799 (16) | −0.0053 (10) | 0.0196 (11) | 0.0035 (11) |
O3 | 0.0745 (16) | 0.0549 (16) | 0.0435 (14) | 0.0126 (12) | 0.0276 (12) | 0.0088 (11) |
O4 | 0.0684 (17) | 0.0673 (17) | 0.0586 (15) | 0.0159 (13) | 0.0036 (13) | −0.0246 (13) |
O5 | 0.0764 (16) | 0.0276 (11) | 0.0378 (12) | −0.0041 (10) | 0.0242 (11) | 0.0047 (9) |
O6 | 0.0910 (18) | 0.0274 (11) | 0.0468 (13) | −0.0035 (11) | 0.0272 (12) | −0.0119 (10) |
N1 | 0.0364 (13) | 0.0205 (12) | 0.0267 (12) | 0.0006 (9) | 0.0109 (10) | 0.0008 (9) |
N2 | 0.0456 (14) | 0.0312 (14) | 0.0310 (13) | 0.0002 (11) | 0.0159 (11) | 0.0028 (10) |
N3 | 0.0360 (14) | 0.0465 (17) | 0.0478 (17) | 0.0069 (12) | 0.0143 (12) | −0.0085 (14) |
N4 | 0.0512 (15) | 0.0251 (13) | 0.0329 (14) | 0.0018 (11) | 0.0144 (12) | −0.0017 (11) |
C1 | 0.0320 (16) | 0.0359 (17) | 0.0340 (16) | −0.0031 (13) | 0.0115 (13) | −0.0009 (13) |
C2 | 0.0281 (15) | 0.0340 (16) | 0.0417 (17) | −0.0003 (12) | 0.0147 (13) | 0.0030 (13) |
C3 | 0.0250 (14) | 0.0397 (18) | 0.0394 (17) | 0.0017 (12) | 0.0115 (12) | −0.0014 (13) |
C4 | 0.0341 (17) | 0.0337 (17) | 0.061 (2) | 0.0015 (13) | 0.0191 (15) | −0.0012 (15) |
C5 | 0.0392 (18) | 0.0387 (19) | 0.072 (2) | 0.0058 (14) | 0.0208 (17) | 0.0174 (18) |
C6 | 0.0432 (19) | 0.059 (2) | 0.0473 (19) | 0.0058 (16) | 0.0127 (15) | 0.0210 (18) |
C7 | 0.0394 (18) | 0.0483 (19) | 0.0446 (19) | 0.0006 (15) | 0.0155 (15) | 0.0031 (15) |
C8 | 0.0459 (17) | 0.0227 (14) | 0.0334 (15) | 0.0011 (12) | 0.0177 (13) | 0.0017 (11) |
C9 | 0.0422 (16) | 0.0215 (14) | 0.0247 (14) | 0.0032 (12) | 0.0134 (12) | 0.0015 (11) |
C10 | 0.0365 (16) | 0.0220 (15) | 0.0345 (16) | 0.0023 (12) | 0.0122 (12) | 0.0060 (12) |
C11 | 0.0459 (18) | 0.0310 (17) | 0.0311 (16) | 0.0018 (13) | 0.0151 (13) | −0.0024 (12) |
C12 | 0.0425 (17) | 0.0200 (14) | 0.0285 (14) | 0.0023 (12) | 0.0120 (12) | −0.0020 (11) |
C13 | 0.0504 (19) | 0.0251 (16) | 0.0480 (18) | −0.0049 (13) | 0.0172 (15) | 0.0009 (13) |
O1—C1 | 1.326 (3) | C4—C5 | 1.370 (4) |
O1—C8 | 1.448 (3) | C4—H4 | 0.9500 |
O2—C1 | 1.204 (3) | C5—C6 | 1.371 (4) |
O3—N3 | 1.216 (3) | C5—H5 | 0.9500 |
O4—N3 | 1.223 (3) | C6—C7 | 1.384 (4) |
O5—N4 | 1.227 (3) | C6—H6 | 0.9500 |
O6—N4 | 1.230 (3) | C7—H7 | 0.9500 |
N1—C10 | 1.360 (3) | C8—C9 | 1.492 (4) |
N1—C12 | 1.371 (3) | C8—H8A | 0.9900 |
N1—C9 | 1.476 (3) | C8—H8B | 0.9900 |
N2—C10 | 1.331 (3) | C9—H9A | 0.9900 |
N2—C11 | 1.354 (3) | C9—H9B | 0.9900 |
N3—C3 | 1.462 (4) | C10—C13 | 1.479 (4) |
N4—C12 | 1.417 (3) | C11—C12 | 1.367 (3) |
C1—C2 | 1.491 (4) | C11—H11 | 0.9500 |
C2—C7 | 1.383 (4) | C13—H13A | 0.9800 |
C2—C3 | 1.390 (4) | C13—H13B | 0.9800 |
C3—C4 | 1.369 (4) | C13—H13C | 0.9800 |
C1—O1—C8 | 116.1 (2) | C2—C7—H7 | 119.3 |
C10—N1—C12 | 105.4 (2) | C6—C7—H7 | 119.3 |
C10—N1—C9 | 125.2 (2) | O1—C8—C9 | 107.0 (2) |
C12—N1—C9 | 129.4 (2) | O1—C8—H8A | 110.3 |
C10—N2—C11 | 106.0 (2) | C9—C8—H8A | 110.3 |
O3—N3—O4 | 122.8 (3) | O1—C8—H8B | 110.3 |
O3—N3—C3 | 119.2 (2) | C9—C8—H8B | 110.3 |
O4—N3—C3 | 118.0 (3) | H8A—C8—H8B | 108.6 |
O5—N4—O6 | 123.5 (2) | N1—C9—C8 | 112.0 (2) |
O5—N4—C12 | 119.6 (2) | N1—C9—H9A | 109.2 |
O6—N4—C12 | 116.9 (2) | C8—C9—H9A | 109.2 |
O2—C1—O1 | 124.7 (3) | N1—C9—H9B | 109.2 |
O2—C1—C2 | 123.6 (3) | C8—C9—H9B | 109.2 |
O1—C1—C2 | 111.6 (2) | H9A—C9—H9B | 107.9 |
C7—C2—C3 | 116.2 (3) | N2—C10—N1 | 111.7 (2) |
C7—C2—C1 | 119.0 (3) | N2—C10—C13 | 123.8 (2) |
C3—C2—C1 | 124.8 (3) | N1—C10—C13 | 124.4 (2) |
C4—C3—C2 | 123.2 (3) | N2—C11—C12 | 109.3 (2) |
C4—C3—N3 | 117.5 (3) | N2—C11—H11 | 125.3 |
C2—C3—N3 | 119.3 (2) | C12—C11—H11 | 125.3 |
C3—C4—C5 | 119.2 (3) | C11—C12—N1 | 107.5 (2) |
C3—C4—H4 | 120.4 | C11—C12—N4 | 127.2 (2) |
C5—C4—H4 | 120.4 | N1—C12—N4 | 125.2 (2) |
C4—C5—C6 | 119.7 (3) | C10—C13—H13A | 109.5 |
C4—C5—H5 | 120.1 | C10—C13—H13B | 109.5 |
C6—C5—H5 | 120.1 | H13A—C13—H13B | 109.5 |
C5—C6—C7 | 120.4 (3) | C10—C13—H13C | 109.5 |
C5—C6—H6 | 119.8 | H13A—C13—H13C | 109.5 |
C7—C6—H6 | 119.8 | H13B—C13—H13C | 109.5 |
C2—C7—C6 | 121.3 (3) | ||
C8—O1—C1—O2 | −8.7 (4) | C1—O1—C8—C9 | 172.1 (2) |
C8—O1—C1—C2 | 175.0 (2) | C10—N1—C9—C8 | 99.1 (3) |
O2—C1—C2—C7 | −72.3 (4) | C12—N1—C9—C8 | −79.0 (3) |
O1—C1—C2—C7 | 104.2 (3) | O1—C8—C9—N1 | −70.4 (3) |
O2—C1—C2—C3 | 107.2 (3) | C11—N2—C10—N1 | 0.9 (3) |
O1—C1—C2—C3 | −76.4 (3) | C11—N2—C10—C13 | −177.9 (3) |
C7—C2—C3—C4 | 0.5 (4) | C12—N1—C10—N2 | −0.4 (3) |
C1—C2—C3—C4 | −178.9 (3) | C9—N1—C10—N2 | −178.9 (2) |
C7—C2—C3—N3 | 177.7 (2) | C12—N1—C10—C13 | 178.3 (3) |
C1—C2—C3—N3 | −1.7 (4) | C9—N1—C10—C13 | −0.2 (4) |
O3—N3—C3—C4 | 171.1 (3) | C10—N2—C11—C12 | −1.0 (3) |
O4—N3—C3—C4 | −8.4 (4) | N2—C11—C12—N1 | 0.7 (3) |
O3—N3—C3—C2 | −6.3 (4) | N2—C11—C12—N4 | 178.9 (3) |
O4—N3—C3—C2 | 174.2 (3) | C10—N1—C12—C11 | −0.2 (3) |
C2—C3—C4—C5 | 0.3 (4) | C9—N1—C12—C11 | 178.2 (2) |
N3—C3—C4—C5 | −177.0 (2) | C10—N1—C12—N4 | −178.4 (2) |
C3—C4—C5—C6 | −0.2 (4) | C9—N1—C12—N4 | 0.0 (4) |
C4—C5—C6—C7 | −0.5 (4) | O5—N4—C12—C11 | −179.6 (3) |
C3—C2—C7—C6 | −1.3 (4) | O6—N4—C12—C11 | 0.8 (4) |
C1—C2—C7—C6 | 178.2 (3) | O5—N4—C12—N1 | −1.7 (4) |
C5—C6—C7—C2 | 1.4 (4) | O6—N4—C12—N1 | 178.8 (3) |
D—H···A | D—H | H···A | D···A | D—H···A |
C11—H11···O5i | 0.95 | 2.58 | 3.474 (4) | 157 |
C9—H9B···O6ii | 0.99 | 2.45 | 3.166 (3) | 129 |
C9—H9B···O5 | 0.99 | 2.39 | 2.838 (3) | 107 |
C9—H9A···N2iii | 0.99 | 2.57 | 3.513 (4) | 159 |
C7—H7···O3iv | 0.95 | 2.43 | 3.190 (4) | 137 |
Symmetry codes: (i) x, −y+1/2, z−1/2; (ii) x, −y+1/2, z+1/2; (iii) x, −y+3/2, z+1/2; (iv) x, −y+3/2, z−1/2. |
Experimental details
Crystal data | |
Chemical formula | C13H12N4O6 |
Mr | 320.27 |
Crystal system, space group | Monoclinic, P21/c |
Temperature (K) | 150 |
a, b, c (Å) | 15.392 (8), 8.605 (4), 10.968 (5) |
β (°) | 106.576 (9) |
V (Å3) | 1392.3 (12) |
Z | 4 |
Radiation type | Mo Kα |
µ (mm−1) | 0.12 |
Crystal size (mm) | 0.27 × 0.24 × 0.08 |
Data collection | |
Diffractometer | Bruker APEX 2000 CCD area-detector diffractometer |
Absorption correction | Multi-scan (SADABS; Sheldrick, 1997) |
Tmin, Tmax | 0.573, 0.969 |
No. of measured, independent and observed [I > \2s(I)] reflections | 9743, 2444, 1700 |
Rint | 0.099 |
(sin θ/λ)max (Å−1) | 0.595 |
Refinement | |
R[F2 > 2σ(F2)], wR(F2), S | 0.056, 0.129, 1.00 |
No. of reflections | 2444 |
No. of parameters | 209 |
H-atom treatment | H-atom parameters constrained |
Δρmax, Δρmin (e Å−3) | 0.23, −0.23 |
Computer programs: SMART (Bruker, 2001), SAINT (Bruker, 2001), SHELXTL (Sheldrick, 2008), SHELXS97 (Sheldrick, 2008), SHELXL97 (Sheldrick, 2008), SHELXTL (Sheldrick, 2008).
D—H···A | D—H | H···A | D···A | D—H···A |
C11—H11···O5i | 0.95 | 2.58 | 3.474 (4) | 156.6 |
C9—H9B···O6ii | 0.99 | 2.45 | 3.166 (3) | 128.8 |
C9—H9B···O5 | 0.99 | 2.39 | 2.838 (3) | 106.6 |
C9—H9A···N2iii | 0.99 | 2.57 | 3.513 (4) | 158.6 |
C7—H7···O3iv | 0.95 | 2.43 | 3.190 (4) | 137.2 |
Symmetry codes: (i) x, −y+1/2, z−1/2; (ii) x, −y+1/2, z+1/2; (iii) x, −y+3/2, z+1/2; (iv) x, −y+3/2, z−1/2. |
Acknowledgements
The authors thank the Pakistan Science Foundation for financial support.
References
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Metronidazole,1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-methyl-5-nitroimidazole, is an antibiotic which is effective against anaerobic bacteria and certain parasites (Mao et al., 2009). However, there are problems related to its low aqueous solubility, toxicity and poor absorption characteristics (Bowden & Izadi 1997). In order to improve the water-solubility of metronidazole, certain esters and hemi-esters of metronidazole have been prepared (Cosar et al., 1966) which have shown better solubility in aqueous medium compared to the parent metronidazole. Here, we are reporting the synthesis and crystal structure of an ester derivative of metronidazole, (I).
The molecule of (I), Fig. 1, is non-planar with a dihedral angle of 37.38 (15) ° formed between the mean planes through the nitrobenzene and imidazole rings (Spek, 2009). The nitro group is co-planar with the imidazole ring to which it is connected [dihedral angle 0.90 (3) °] , while the phenyl-nitro group is slightly twisted out of the plane of the benzene ring, forming a dihedral angle of 8.13 (3) °. The key C═O and C—N bond distances are in agreement with those observed in the related structure of 2-(2-methyl-5-nitro-1 H-imidazol-1-yl) ethyl 3-bromobenzoate (Bahadur et al., 2009). The crystal packing is stabilized by weak intermolecular C—H···O and C—H···N interactions, Table 1 , together with π-π stacking interactions with the shortest of these occuring between symmetry related imidazole rings [ring centroid (N1–C12)··· ring centroid (N1–C12)i =3.590 (2) Å for ii: 1-x, -y, 1-z]. In addition, π···π contacts are noted between symmetry related nitrobenzene rings [ring centroid (C2–C7)···ring centroid (C2–C7)ii = 3.788 (3) Å for ii : 1-x, 2-y, 1-z].