Tri(2-pyridyl)methane

C₁₆H₁₃N₃, M(r)=247.3, monoclinic C2/c, a = 13.998(1), b = 8.653(1), c = 22.368(2) A, β = 103.15(1)°, U = 2638(1)A³, D(x) = 1.245 Mgm⁻³, Z = 8, Mo Kα radiation, λ = 0.7107 A, μ = 0.042 mm⁻¹, F(000) = 1040, T = 293(2)K, R = 0.034 for 947 observed reflections. In the title compound, (2-py)₃CH, the central C atom exists in a slightly distorted tetrahedral geometry [tetrahedral angles range from 105(1) to 113.8(2)°]. The C-C(py) distances are 1.517(4), 1.515(4) and 1.522(4) A and the dihedral angles between the three pyridyl rings are 103.6, 106.8 and 88.4°, respectively. One of the pyridyl rings is disordered with a 180° rotation about the C(methane)-C(py) bond at C(1)-C(31). In the major conformation (ca 58%) the two N atoms are orientated as to point in the same direction as the methane H atom.