Crystal structure of 2,6-dibenzylpyrrolo[3,4-f]isoindole-1,3,5,7(2H,6H)-tetrathione

The title compound, C24H16N2S4, consists of a central pyromellitic diimide substituted with an S atom and terminal benzyl groups. The molecule lies on a crystallographic inversion centre so that the asymmetric unit contains half of the molecule. The molecule was prepared by thionation of N,N′-dibenzylpyromellitic diimide with Lawesson's reagent and has an S-shaped conformation similar to other compounds of this type. The phenyl groups are tilted by 72.69 (8)° with respect to the plane of the central arene ring. In the crystal, molecules are connected by C—H...π interactions and weak short S...S contacts, forming supramolecular layers extending paralled to the ab plane. The crystal studied was found to be non-merohedrally twinned, with the minor component being 0.113 (3).