One of six 2-alkylamino-4,6-dimethylnicotinamides afforded a conglomerate, and subsequent X-ray crystallographic analysis revealed that the compound crystallized in the monoclinic system, the space group P2(1). Crystallization of the racemic nicotinamide from the melt led to the chiral breaking of symmetry from 83 to 92% ee. This amide exhibited considerably stable axial Chirality (Delta G(double dagger): 22.4-23.5 kcal mol(-1) at 20 degrees C) due-to rotationally restricted scaffolds for the C C(=O) bond.