<i>N</i>-(4-Ethoxyphenyl)-3-oxobutanamide

The title compound, C 12 H 15 NO 3 , crystallizes with Z ′ = 2 in space group Pca 1 the two independent molecules having almost same conformation, differing mostly at end of butanamide chain. A local inversion center near 1/8, 3/4, z relates molecules, as is common for structures this 2. molecule keto tautomer, and β-diketone moieties are twisted out planarity, O—C...C—O pseudo torsion angles −74.4 (5) −83.9 (5)°. N—H each donates an intermolecular hydrogen bond to amide carbonyl oxygen atom by positive or negative translations along b axis, thus forming antiparallel chains propagating [010] direction.