The crystal structure of the title compound, C(14)H(12)N(4)O(3), shows that the stereochemistry about the N=N double bond of the N=N-N(H) moiety is trans. The whole molecule is almost planar (r.m.s. deviation = 0.0654 A), the interplanar angle between the phenyl rings being 0.7 (1) degrees and the largest interplanar angle being that between the phenyl ring and the nitro group of the 4-nitrophenyl substituent [11.5 (2) degrees ]. Intermolecular N-H.O interactions between molecules related by translation give rise to chains along the [110] and [1-10] directions, and these chains are held together by N.O pi-pi interactions. An unequal distribution of the double-bond character among the N atoms suggests a delocalization of pi electrons over the diazoamine group and the adjacent aryl substituents.