Abstract. C2HsN.+C6H2N30~ -, M r--274.2, orthorhombic, Pb2~a (non-standard setting of Pca2t), a = 10.001 (1), b = 11.087 (4), c= 21.332 (2)/I,, V= 2365.3A 3, Z-8, D x= 1.54gcm -3, 2(MoKct)= 0.71069 A,/t = 1-28 cm -~, F(000) = 1136, T= 293 K. Final R = 0.049 from 1494 observed reflections. The structure is composed of alternating sheets of cations and anions. There are two picrate ions in the asymmetric unit and adjacent anion sheets are related by a pseudo crystallographic twofold axis. Aromatic bond lengths in the picrate ring range between 1.45 and 1.36 A and can be explained by a resonance description of the picrate ion.