N-(2,3,5,6-Tetrachloropyrid-4-yl)cinnamide

The title compound, C₁₄H₈Cl₄N₂O, is an unexpected side product of a reaction to convert an acid chloride into a nitrile, the nature of which indicates the probable mechanism of the major reaction. In the crystal structure a conjugated and approximately planar cinnamide framework is attached to an almost perpendicular tetrachloro-substituted pyridyl ring, severe steric interactions overcoming the enhanced delocalization which would occur with coplanarity.

-1