The molecular structure of gaseous tetrafluoro-p-benzoquinone and tetramethyl-p-benzoquinone as determined by electron diffraction

The molecular structures of gaseous tetrafluoro-p-benzoquinone (p-fluoranil) and tetramethyl-p-benzoquinone (duroquinone) have been investigated by electron diffraction. Except for the methyl group hydrogen atoms, the molecules are planar to within experimental error, but small deviations from planarity are completely compatible with the data. Values for the geometrical parameters (r_adistances and r_α with parenthesized uncertainties of 2σ including estimated uncertainty in the electron wavelength and correlation effects, are as follows. Tetrafluoro-p-benzoquinone: D_2h symmetry (assumed); r(C0) = 1.211(6) Å, r(CC) = 1.339(12) Å, r(C-C) = 1.489(5') Å, r(C-F) = 1.323(5) Å, ∠C-C-C = 116.8(7)° and ∠C-C-F = 116.1(7)°. Tetramethyl-p-benzoquinone: C_2h symmetry (assumed);r(C-H) = 1.102(18) Å, r(CO) = 1.229(8) Å, r(CC) = 1.352(8) Å, r(C_sp2-C_sp2) = 1.491(11) Å, r(C_sp2-C_sp3) = 1.504(12) A, ∠C-CO-C = 120.8(8)°. ∠C-C-CH₃ = 116.1(8)°, ∠C-C-H = 110.5(34)° and α₁ = α₂ (methyl torsion = 30° (assumed).     

The molecular structure of gaseous 2-cyclopentene- 1,4-dione as determined by electron diffraction

The molecular structure of gaseous 2-cyclopentene-1,4-dione has been studied by electron diffraction. The molecule is planar to within the experimental error. The results obtained for some of the more important parameters with estimated uncertainties of 2σ are r(C-H) = 1.093 Å (0.013), r(C0) = 1.208 Å (0.002), r(CC) = 1.341 Å (0.005), r(CH-CO) = 1.493 Å (0.005), r(CO-CH₂) = 1.525 Å (0.005), ∠CC-C = 110.4° (0.3), ∠CH-CO = 124.9° (1.1), ∠CC-H. = 118.7° (5.8), ∠H-C-H = 113.2° (8.7) l(C-H) = 0.0853 A (0.0113), l(CO) = 0.0428 Å (0.0021), l(CC) = 0.0448 Å (0.0037) and l(C-C) = 0.0561 Å (0.0029). The structure is discussed in connection with the structures of related molecules.     

Molecular structure and conformation of cis-1,3- dichloro-1-propene as determined by gas phase electron diffraction

The molecular structure and conformation of cis-1,3-dichloro-1-propene have been determined by gas phase electron diffraction at a nozzle temperature of 90°C. The molecule exists in a form in which the chlorine atom of the methyl group and the carbon-carbon double bond are gauche to one another. The results for the distance (r_g) and angle (∠_α) parameters are: r(C-H) = 1.078(10)Å, r(CC) = 1.340(5)Å, r(C-C) = 1.508(7)Å, r( =C-Cl) = 1.762(3)Å, r(C-Cl) = 1.806(3)Å, ∠Cl-C-C = 111.7°(1.8), ∠(CC-C) = 125.5°(1.5), ∠Cl-CC = 124.6°(1.6) and ∠H-C-Cl = 111°(5). The torsion-sensitive distances close to the gauche form can be approximated using a dynamic model with a quartic double minimum potential function of the form V(Φ) = V₀[1 + ($\text{Φ}\text{Φ}{}_0$⁴ - 2($\text{Φ}\text{Φ}{}_0$)²], where V_o = 1.1(8) kcal mol^?1 and Φ₀ = 56°(5) (Φ = 0 corresponds to the anti form).     

An electron diffraction investigation of the molecular structure of dichloromaleic anhydride

The molecular structure of gaseous dichloromaleic anhydride has been investigated by electron diffraction at a nozzle-tip temperature of 164–170°C. The molecule is planar to within experimental error, but small deviations from planarity corresponding to torsion up to about 10° around the carbon-carbon single bonds cannot be ruled out. Values of the more important r_α distances and angles with estimated 2σ uncertainties are r(CO) = 1.188(2) Å, r(CC) = 1.332(5) Å, r(C-O) = 1.389(3) Å, r(C—C) = 1.495(3) Å, r(C—Cl) = 1.685(2) Å, ∠CC-Cl = 129.4(2)°, ∠C-CO = 128.5(4)° and ∠CC—C = 107.9(2)°. The shortening of the carbonyl bond relative to that in maleic anhydride itself is discussed in terms of a possible general effect of vicinal substitution.     

Molecular structure and conformation of gaseous bromoacetyl chloride and bromoacetyl bromide as determined by electron diffraction

Bromoacetyl chloride and bromoacetyl bromide are studied by gas phase electron diffraction at nozzle-tip temperatures of 70°C and 77°C, respectively. Both compounds exist as mixtures of anti and gauche conformers. The mole fraction anti, with uncertainties estimated at 2σ, was found to be 0.474(0.080) for bromoacetyl chloride and 0.615(0.069) for bromoacetyl bromide. The results for the distance (r_a)and angle (∠α) parameters, with parenthesized uncertainties of 2σ including estimated uncertainty in the electron wave length and correlation effects are as follows: (1) bromoacetyl chloride, r(C-H) = 1.086(0.062) Å, r(CO) = 1.188(0.009) Å, r(C-C) = 1.519(0.018) Å, r(C-Cl) = 1.789(0.011) Å, r(C-Br) = 1.935(0.012) Å, ∠C-CO = 127.6(1.3)°, ∠C-C-Cl = 111.3(1.1)°, ∠C-C-Br = 111.0(1.5)°, ∠H-C-H = 109.5°(assumed), $\text{}\text{?}$/o (gauche torsion angle relative to 0° for the anti form) = 110.0°(assumed); (2) bromoacetyl bromide, r(C-H) =1.110(0.088) Å, r(C=O) = 1.175(0.013) Å, r(C-C) = 1.513(0.020) Å, r(CO-Br) = 1.987(0.020) Å, r(CH₂-Br) = 1.915(0.020) Å, ∠C-CO = 129.4(1.7)°, ∠CH₂-CO-Br = 110.7(1.5)°, ∠CO-CH₂-Br = 111.7(1.8)°, ∠H-C-H = 109.5°(assumed), ∠ø (gauche torsion angle relative to 0° for the anti form) = 105.0°(assumed). The structural results are discussed in connection with the structures of related molecules.     

Molecular structure and conformation of gaseous 2-chloro-3-fluoro-1-propene

2-Chloro-3-fluoro-1-propene has been studied by electron diffraction, and the molecule was found to exist in equilibrium between a syn and a gauche conformation, with the syn conformation as the most stable. The most important structure parameters with standard deviation are: r_g(CC) = 1.338(6) Å,r_g(C—C) = 1.505(5) Å, r_g(C—F) = 1.378(4) Å, r_g(C-Cl) = 1.743(3) Å, ∠CC—Cl = 123.0(7)°, ∠CC—C = 125.6(6)° and ∠C—C—F = 111.2(8)°.A force field was determined by a least-squares refinement to vibrational frequencies. Mean square amplitudes of vibration and perpendicular amplitude correction coefficients have been calculated. The mean square amplitudes of vibration from the electron diffraction data are in very good agreement with the values calculated from the spectroscopic data.     

Molecular structure and conformation of 2,3-dichloro-1-propene as determined by gas-phase electron diffraction

The molecular structure and conformation of 2,3-dichloro-1-propene have been determined by gas-phase electron diffraction at nozzle temperatures of 24, 90 and 273°C. The molecules exist as a mixture of two conformers with the chlorine atoms anti (torsion angle ∠φ = 0°) or gauche (∠φ = 109°) to each other and with the anti form the more stable. The composition (mole fraction) of the vapor with uncertainties estimated at 2σ was found to be 0.55 (0.08), 0.49 (0.08) and 0.41 (0.10) at 24, 90 and 273°, respectively. These values correspond to an energy difference with estimated standard deviation ΔE° = E°_g-E°_a = 0.7 ± 0.3 kcal mol^?1 and an entropy difference ΔS° = S°_g-S°_a = 0.6 ± 0.9 cal mol^?1 K^?1. Some of the diffraction results, together with spectroscopic observations, permit the evaluation of an approximate torsional potential function of the form 2V = V₁ (1 - cos φ) + V₂ (1 - cos 2φ) + V₃ (1 - cos 3φ); the results are V₁ = 4.4 ± 0.5, V₂ = ?2.9 ± 0.5 and V₃ = 4.8 ± 0.2, all in kcal mol^?1. The results at 24°C for the distance (r_a) and angle (∠_α) parameters, with estimated uncertainties of 2σ, are: r(C_sp²-H) = 1.098(0.020)Å, r(C_sp³-H) = 1.103(0.020)Å, r(CC) = 1.334(0.009)Å, r(C-C) = 1.504(0.013)Å, r(C_sp²-Cl) = 1.752(0.021)Å, r(C_sp³-Cl) = 1.776(0.020)Å, ∠C-CC = 127.6(1.1)°, ∠C_sp³-C_sp²-Cl = 110.2(1.0), ∠C_sp²-C_sp³-Cl = 113.1(1.2)°, ∠H-C_sp³-H = 109.5° (assumed), ∠CC-H = 120.0° (assumed) and ∠φ = 108.9(3.4)°.     

The structure of 1-chloro-1-silabicyclo(2.2.2)octane as determined by gas-phase electron diffraction

The structure of 1 -chloro-1 -si labicyclo( 2.2.2 )octane is determined by gas-phase electron diffraction. The molecule is found to have a large amplitude twisting motion with a double minimum quartic potential function of the form V(φ) = V_o[1 + (φ/φ_o)⁴ - 2(φ/φ_o)²]. Least-squares analysis of the experimental data gives values of 1.4(0.8) kcal mole^? for V_o and 17.5(2.5)° for φ_o. Other structural parameters for the “quasi-C_3v” cage-like molecule include: r_g(Si-Cl) = 2.061(3) Å, r_g(Si-C) = 1.863(3) Å, r_g(C-C_av) = 1.559(2) Å, and r_g(C-H_av) = 1.098(7) Å. Several valence angles exhibit large deviations from tetrahedral values, e.g. ∠Cl-Si-C₂ = 114.6(0.2)°, ∠Si-C₂-C₃ = 105.8(0.4)°, ∠C₂-C₃-C₄ = 114.2(1.2)°, ∠C-₃-C₄-C₅ = 111.4(0.8)° and ∠C₂-Si-C₆= 103.9(0.2)°. Many of the structural features in this strained polycyclic compound. Including the nature of the quartic potential function, can be rationalized in terms of a simple molecular mechanics model. A new method for the calculation of an analytical Jacobian of the intensity function with respect to parameters of the potential function is also discussed.     

The structure and conformation of dichloroacetyl chloride as determined by gas-phase electron diffraction

The structure and conformation of dichloroacetyl chloride have been determined by gas-phase electron diffraction at nozzle temperatures of 20 and 119°C. The molecules exist as a mixture of two conformers with the hydrogen and oxygen atoms syn and gauche to each other. The composition (mole fraction of syn form) of the vapor was found to be 0.72 ± 0.06 and 0.73 ± 0.12 at 20 and 119°C, respectively, corresponding to almost equal energy for the two forms. The results for the distance (r_g), angle ∠α and r.m.s. amplitude (l) parameters obtained at the two temperatures are entirely consistent. At 20°C the more important parameters, with estimated uncertainties of 3σ are: r(C-H) = 1.062(0.049)Å, r(C0) = 1.189(0.003)Å, r(C-C) = 1.535(0.008)Å, r(CO-Cl) = 1.752 (0.009)Å, r(CHCl-Cl) = 1.771(0.004)Å, ∠C-CO = 123.3(1.3)°, ∠C-CO-Cl = 113.9 (5.9)°, ∠C-CHCl—Cl = 109.5(1.5)°, ∠C1-C-Cl = 111.7(0.5)°, ∠Cl-C-H = 108.0(1.5), φ₁ (HCCO torsion angle in the syn conformer) = 0.0° (assumed), φ₂ (HCCO torsion angle in the gauche conformer) = 138.2(5.1)°.     

Molecular structure of hexafluorobicyclo [2.2.0]hexa-2,5-diene (hexafluoro-dewar-benzene) in the vapour phase

Hexafluoro-Dewar-benzene has been studied by the electron-diffraction method. A model with C_2v symmetry gives excellent agreement between experimental and theoretical data. The structural parameters with error limits are (cf. Fig. 1): r(C₁-C₄)= 1.598 ±0.017 Å, r(C₁-C₂) = 1.505 ±0.005 Å, r(C₂-C₃) = 1.366 ± 0.015 Å, r(C₁-F₁) = 1.328±0.015 Å, r(C₂-F₂) = 1.319±0.007 Å, ∠F₁C₁C₄ = 118.7±0.7°, ∠F₂C₂C₃ = 133.6±0.7°, τ= 121.8±2.0°, and δ = -7.5±2.0°. Molecular orbital calculations by the CNDO/2 method gave τ = 119.8° and δ = ?4.2°.     

The molecular structures of mono-substituted cl-cyclohexene by gas-phase electron diffraction

The molecular structures of mono-substituted chlorocyclohexene are determined by gas-phase electron diffraction. The structural parameters are obtained by applying leastsquares analysis to the molecular scattering intensities. The bond distances (r_g) and bond angles are: (1) 1-Cl-cyclohexene: C₁C₂ = 1.336 ± 0.006 Å. C₂-C₃ = 1.500 ± 0.009 Å, C₃-C₄ = 1.533 ± 0.010 Å, C₄-C₅ = 1.537 Å, C₅-C₆ = 1.527 ± 0.010 Å, C₁-C₆ = 1.504 ± 0.009 Å. C-Cl = 1.747 ± 0.005 Å, C-H_av = 1.138 ± 0.010 Å, ∠Cl-cc = 126.3 ± 0.5°, ∠C₆C₁C₂ = 123.9 ± 0.8°. ∠C₁C₂C₃= 124.6 ± 0.8°, ∠C₄C₃C₂ = 111.8 ± 1.2° and ∠-C₅C₆C₁ = 111.3 ± 1.1°; (2) 3-Cl-cyclohexene: C₁=C₂ = 1.336 Å, C₂-C₃ = 1.501 ± 0.010 Å, C₃-C₄ = 1.513 ± 0.008 Å, C₄-C₅ = 1.542 Å, C₅-C₆, = 1.516 ± 0.007 Å, C₁-C₆ = 1.505 ± 0.006 Å, C-C1 = 1.801 ± 0.005 Å, C-H_av = 1.120 ± 0.008 Å, ∠C₆C₁C₂ = 123.2 ± 1.0°, ∠C₁C₂C₃ = 124.1 ± 1.7°, ∠C₅C₆C₁ = 113.0 ± 1.3°, ∠C₂C₃C₄ = 112.5 ± 1.5° ∠ClC₃C₂ = 110.3 ± 0.8°, ∠H-C=C = 123.0 ± 3.0° and ǒH-C-C = 109.5 ± 2.0°, with a mixture of 55% axial and 45% equatorial conformers; (3) 4-Cl-cyclohexene: C₁=C₂ = 1.336 Å, C₂-C₃ = 1.507 ± 0.007 Å, C₃-C₄ = 1.516 ± 0.008 Å, C₄-C₅ = 1.544 Å, C₅-C₆ = 1.523 ± 0.010 Å, C₁- C₆ = 1-507 Å, C-Cl = 1.799 ± 0.005 Å, C-H_av = 1.116 ± 0.005 Å, ∠C₆C₁C₂ = 123.3 ± 1.5°, ∠C₅C₆C₁ = 113.0 ± 1.0°, ∠C₂C₃C₄ = 112.3 ± 1.0°, ∠ClC₄C₃ = 110.2 ± 2.0°, ∠H-CC = 117.1 ± 4.5° and ∠H-C-C = 109.5 ± 1.0°, with a mixture of 45% axial and 55% equatorial conformers.     

The molecular structure of selenonyl fluoride,SeO2F2, and sulfuryl fluoride,SO2F2, as determined by gas-phase electron diffraction

The molecular structure of selenonyl fluoride (SeO₂F₂) and sulfuryl fluoride (SO₂F₂) has been studied by gas-phase electron diffraction. The geometries of both molecules are consistent with predictions of VSEPR (valence-shell electron-pair repulsion) theory. The results for the more important distance (r_a), bond angle, and r.m.s. amplitude (l) parameters with estimated uncertainties estimated at 2σ are for SeO₂F₂r(Se = 0) = 1.575 Å (0.002), r(Se-F) = 1.685 Å (0.002), ∠OSeO = 126.2° (0.5), ∠FSeF = 94.1° (0.5), l(Se = 0) = 0.0440 Å (0.0046), l(Se-F) = 0.0472 Å (0.0042), and for SO₂F₂r(S = 0) = 1.397 Å (0.002), r(S-F) = 1.530 Å (0.002), ∠OSO = 122.6° (1.2), ∠FSF = 96.7° (1.1), l(S = 0) = 0.0331 Å (0.0015), l(S-F) = 0.0393 Å (0.0018).     

The molecular structures of cis-3-hexene and trans-3-hexene in the gas phase by electron diffraction and molecular mechanical calculations

The molecular structures of cis-3-hexene and of trans-3-hexene in the gas phase have been determined by electron diffraction combined with molecular mechanical calculations. For cis-3-hexene the data indicate the presence of the (+ac, +ac) and the (?ac, +ac) forms. In trans-3 -hexene three rotamers were observed, with an energy sequence E(+ac, +ac) ≈ E(?ac, +ac) < E(ac, sp). The refined r_α⁰-structural parameters are: cis-3-hexene: C-H = 1.073 Å, CC = 1.330 Å, C(sp²)-C(sp³) = 1.505 Å, ∠CCH(in CH₂) = 111.1°, ∠CCC = 111.4°, ∠(CC-C) = 129.1° trans-3-hexene: C-H = 1.078 Å, CC = 1.342 Å, C(sp²)-C(sp³) = 1.506 Å, ∠CCH(in CH₂) = 109.3°, ∠CCC = 112.8, ∠CC—C = 124.1°The agreement between calculated and experimental geometries and vibrational amplitudes is good.     

The structure of 1,3-dichloropropyne as determined by gas electron diffraction and comparison with microwave data

The structure of 1,3-dichloropropyne has been studied by gas electron diffraction. The resulting parameters r_a have been converted into r_α^o distances. A geometrical structure has been fitted to these internuclear distances. Thus the following parameters (r_α^o) have been determined: r(C₁-Cl₁) = 1.629 (10) A, r(C₁C₂) = 1.201 (13) Å, r(C₃-Cl₂) = 1.791 (6) A, ∠(C₂-C₃-Cl₂) = 111.1° (1.0°), ∠(H-C₃-H) = 98.8° (3.1°), ∠(C₂-C₃-H) = 108.7° (3.2°). ∠(Cl₁-C₁C₂) = 176.6° (1.1°), ∠(C₁C₂-C₃) = 182.7° (1.4°). Inconsistencies have been detected between our results and the rotational constants reported by Günther and Zeil. Discussion of the problem including rotational constants of the first excited vibrational state leads to the conclusion that the observed discrepancies are due to temperature effects.     

Molecular structure and conformation of gaseous chloroacetyl chloride as determined by electron diffraction

Chloroacetyl chloride is studied by gas-phase electron diffraction at nozzle-tip tempera- tures of 18, 110 and 215°C. The molecules exist as a mixture of anti and gauche confor- mers with the anti form the more stable. The composition (mole fraction) of the vapor with uncertainties estimated at 2σ is found to be 0.770 (0.070), 0.673 (0.086) and 0.572 (0.086) at 18, 110 and 215°C, respectively. These values correspond to an energy difference with estimated standard deviation ΔE^o = E^o_g -E^o_a = 1.3 ± 0.4 kcal mol^?1 and an entropy difference ΔS^o = S^o_g -S^o_a = 0.7 ± 1.1 cal mol^?1 K^?1. Certain of the diffraction results permit the evaluation of an approximate torsional potential function of the form 2V = V₁(1 - cos φ) + V₂(1 - cos 2φ) + V₃(1 - cos 3φ); the results are V₁ = 1.19 ± 0.33, V₂ = 0.56 ± 0.20 and V₃ = 0.94 ± 0.12, all in kcal mol^?1. The results for the distance (r_a), angle (_∠α) and r.m.s. amplitude parameters obtained at the three temperatures are entirely consistent. At 18°C the more important parameters are, with estimated uncertainties of 2σ, r(C-H) = 1.062(0.030) Å, r(CO) = 1.182(0.004) Å, r(C-C) = 1.521(0.009) Å. r(CO-Cl) = 1.772(0.016) Å, r(CH₂-Cl) = 1.782(0.018) Å, ∠C-C-0 = 126.9(0.9)°, ∠CH₂-CO-C1 = 110.0(0.7)°,∠CO-CH₂-C1 = 112.9(1–7)°, ∠H-C-H = 109.5° (assumed), ∠φ (gauche torsion angle relative to 0° for the anti form) = 116.4(7.7)°, δ (r.m.s. amplitude of torsional vibration in the anti conformer) == 17.5(4.2)°.     

Molecular structure of 1,2,4-triazole

The molecular structure of 1,2,4-triazole has been determined by gas phase electron diffraction. The intemuclear distances and bond angles were obtained by applying a least-squares analysis to the experimental intensity. The bond distances (r_g) and bond angles were N₁-N₂ = 1.380 ± 0.010 Å, N₂C₃ = 1.329 ± 0.009 Å, C₃-N₄ = 1.348 ± 0.009 Å, N₁-C₅ = 1.377 ± 0.004 Å, N₄C₅ = 1.305 Å (calculated value). N-H = 0.990 Å, C-H = 1.054 Å, ∠N₁N₂C₃ = 102.7± 0.5°, ∠N₂C₃N₄ = 113.8 ± 1.3°, ∠N₂N₁C₅ = 108.9 ± 0.8°, ∠H₁N₁N₂ = 110.9°, ∠H₂C₃N₄ = 119.2°, ∠H₃C₅N₁ = 131.0°, ∠C₃N₄C₅ = 105.7° (calculated value) and ∠N₄C₅N₁ = 108.7° (calculated value).     

The molecular structure and conformation of acetamides in the vapour phase: Part II. 2-Iodoacetamide

2-Iodoacetamide has been studied by electron diffraction, utilizing a new nozzle construction. A skew conformation with a dihedral angle of 126.3(1.1)° from syn (C-I bond eclipsing the C-N bond), and a gauche conformation with a dihedral angle of 42.3(1.6) both fit the experimental data almost equally well. However, comparison with the X-ray structure and the results for the two models indicate a slight preference for the skew form.The most important structural parameters are: r_g(CO) = 1.222(3)Å, r_g(C-N) = 1.370(3)Å, r_g(C-C) = 1.515(4) Å, r_g(C-I) = 2.160(4) Å, ∠_αOCC = 120.0(6)°, ∠_αNCC = 116.9(4)° and ∠_αCCl = 117.3(4)°. Parenthesized values are one standard deviation.     

The structure of 1,2,3,3-tetrachloro-4,5-dimethyl spiro-[2.3] -hexa-1,4-diene

An electron diffraction study of 1,2,3,3-tetrachloro-4,5-dimethyl spiro[2.3]-hexa-1,4-diene (Spiro) in the gas phase, confirmed the atom connectivities and led to a structure with roughly tetrahedral bonding about the spiro-carbon atom. The internuclear distances were obtained with moderate precision. The optimum least squares fitting of the experimental molecular scattering function gave a model with C_s symmetry. The r_g values are: (C₃-C₆) = 1.54 (.10) Å (assumed), (C₂-C₃) = 1.52 (.02) Å, <CC >_av= 1.35, (.010) Å, (C₅-C₆) = 1.46 (.02) Å, (C₄-C₇) = 1.52 (.03) Å, (C-Cl) = 1.69 (.03) Å and (-C-Cl) = 1.77 (.03) Å. The angle (θ) between the C₃-C₆ bond and the cyclopropene plane is 127.5°. The large value for <CC >_av is compared with the X-ray crystal structure result, and with the structures of other cyclopropenes and cyclobutenes.     

Microwave spectra of tetrahydroselenophene-α13C, -β13C and molecular ring structure

Microwave spectra of isotopic species α-¹³C and β-¹³C of tetrahydroselenophene molecules have been investigated and rotational constants determined: A = 5608.98 Mc, B = 2819.532 Mc, C = 2022.624 Mc forα-¹³C isotopic species and A = 5695.94 Mc, B = 2770.714 Mc, C = 2009.166 Mc for β-¹³C isotopic species. The r_s-ring structure was found to be Se-C₂ = 1.963 Å, C₂-C₃ = 1.549 Å, C₃-C₄ = 1.527 Å, ∠C₅SeC₂ = 90° 44', ∠SeC₂C₃ = 104° 58', ∠C₂C₃C₄ = 106° 52', the angle of twist = 29° 44'.     

An electron diffraction investigation of the molecular structure of gaseous 2,3-dimethyl-2-butene

The gas phase molecular structure of 2,3-dimethyl-2-butene has been investigated by the electron, diffraction technique. The following structural parameters (r_a structure) have been obtained: CC = 1.336±0.004 Å; C-C = 1.505±0.002 Å; C-H = 1.092±0.003 Å; ∠CC-C = 123.4±0.4°; ∠C-C-H = 110.5±0.7°; methyl torsional angle CC-C-H = 31±3°. If local C_3v symmetry is assumed then a twist of 13 ±4° of the carbon skeleton is observed. This twist reduces to virtually 0° if no local symmetry is imposed on the methyl group. The twisted structure is in good agreement with that obtained by valence force-field calculations.