1-(4-Methylbenzyl)-2-(4-methylphenyl)-1H-benzimidazole

The title compound, C22H20N2, crystallizes with two independent molecules (A and B) in the asymmetric unit. The benzimidazole units are almost planar [maximum deviations = 0.0161 (8) angstrom for A and 0.0276 (8) angstrom for B]. The dihedral angles between the benzimidazole unit and the benzene rings of the 4-methylbenzyl and 4-methylphenyl groups are 76.64 (3) and 46.87 (4)degrees, respectively, in molecule A. The corresponding values in molecule B are 86.31 (2) and 39.14 (4)degrees. The dihedral angles between the planes of the two benzene rings are 73.73 (3) and 80.69 (4)degrees in molecules A and B, respectively. Pairs of weak intermolecular C-H center dot center dot center dot N hydrogen bonds link B molecules, forming centrosymmetric dimers with R-2(2) (8) ring motifs. There are no significant corresponding interactions involving the A molecules.