The title compound, C₁₈H₂₆N₄, contains two almost identical independent molecules that lie about inversion centres. Each molecule has a planar bipyridine nucleus and two terminal diethylamine groups oriented at almost right angles to the core. These diethylamine branches act as spacers, producing a very open structure with one of the lowest densities reported among related compounds. The most important intermolecular interactions are of the C–H⋯π type, which connect non-equivalent moieties.