1-[(E)-4-(Phenyldiazenyl)phenyl]-3-pyrroline-2,5-dione

The title compound, C16H11N3O2, displays a trans configuration with respect to the azo group. The molecule is non-planar; the maleimide ring forms a dihedral angle of 42.35 (4)° with the benzene ring bonded to its N atom and the mean plane of this benzene ring is rotated by 21.46 (8)° with respect to the azo group mean plane, which, in turn, forms a dihedral angle of 24.48 (7)° with the ‘terminal’ benzene ring. Molecules in the crystal are π–π stacked along the [100] direction with a mean interplanar distance of 3.857 (1) Å. In addition, C—H⋯O interactions link them into double layers parallel to the ac plane.