Diethyl (Z,Z)‐3,3′‐(ethane‐1,2‐diyldiimino)dibut‐2‐enoate

The title compound, C 14 H 24 N 2 O 4 , is an intermediate in the synthesis of the corresponding heterocyclic compounds. The molecule lies about a twofold axis and has a 'twist' conformation; it adopts the Z,Z configuration, which is shown to be governed mainly by intramolecular hydrogen bonds.