The crystal structures of
E,
E-1,4-bis[2-(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)ethenyl]-2,5-dimethoxybenzene (
1),
E,
E-1,4-bis[2-(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)ethenyl]-2,5-diisopropoxybenzene (
2),
E,
E-1,4-bis[2-(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)ethenyl]-2,5-dihexoxybenzene (
3), and
E,
E-1,4-bis[2-(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)ethenyl]-2,5-bis(2-phenylethoxy)benzene(
4) are reported. A weak intramolecular hydrogen bond between protons on the olefinic link and the
ortho-methoxygroups on the adjacent benzene rings is commented on. In general, however, the crystal packing for these structuresis primarily determined by weak -OCH
3-
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interactions. Their numbers change with the structure and length ofthe side chains and with the accommodation of the extended chains in the lattice. A discussion on the effects ofthese interactions on the possibility of lattice formation explains why these four compounds crystallize and severalsimilar ones with different alkoxy side chains do not.