2-Methyl-5-nitro-1H-benzimidazol-6-amine dihydrate

The title benzimidazole molecule, C ₈H ₈N ₄O ₂·2H ₂O, is planar with a maximum deviation of 0.079 (2) Å (for one of the O atoms in the nitro group). It crystallized as a dihydrate and intermolecular O - H⋯O and N - H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the uncoordinated water molecules, and the nitro and amine groups, respectively. In the crystal, N - H⋯O, O - H⋯N, O - H⋯O and C - H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the molecules to form a threedimensional network. A π-π contact between the benzene rings, [centroidcentroid distance = 3.588 (1) Å] may further stabilize the crystal structure.