Promoting a desired conformational preference of an aromatic amide in various crystals by rational design of intramolecular hydrogen bonding

•Intramolecular H-bonding is designed to lock one of conformations of an amide.•Dimethoxy-bis(4-pyridyl)isophthalamide shows anti,anti-conformation in 11 crystals.•Conformational preference is attributed to large energy gap between conformations.