4-[(E)-2-(4-{(E)-2-[4-((E)-2-{4-[(E)-2-(4-Cyanophenyl)ethen-yl]phenyl}ethen-yl)-2,5-bis(octyl-oxy)phenyl]ethen-yl}phenyl)ethen-yl]benzo-nitrile.

The complete mol-ecule of the title compound, C56H60N2O2, which was prepared via a Horner olefination, is generated by a crystallographic centre of symmetry. Whereas the terminal cyano-stilbene units are almost planar, the central dioctoxybenzene unit is substanti-ally tilted [dihedral angle = 51.68 (8)°], which limits conjugation. van der Waals forces between the alkyl chains connect the mol-ecules, arranged in layers lying parallel to the ac plane.