The title compound, C(18)H(14)N(4)O(2), was found as a by-product in the nitro-aldol reaction between 2-(nitro-meth-yl)pyridine and N-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl-idene)methane-amine. Its two stereogenic centers give rise to four stereoisomers of which only the anti isomers are found in this crystal structure.