Experimental

R factor = 0.048; wR factor = 0.091; data-to-parameter ratio = 13.8. In the crystal structure of the title centrosymmetric dimer, [Cu2(C17H14N2O2)2(C5H5N)2], the Cu II atom has an almost perfect square-pyramidal geometry. The CuII ion is coordin-ated by the NO2 donor atoms of the hydrazide Schiff base ligand, the N atom of the pyridine group and an O atom of the symmetry-related unit. The dihedral angles between the pyridine ring and the two phenyl rings of the ligand are 21.4 (3) and 24.0 (2). The molecular structure is stabilized by intramolecular C—H O interactions. Related literature For background to the properties of hydrazide Schiff base– metal complexes, see: Rao et al. (1990); West et al. (1993). For bond-length data, see: Allen et al. (1987)