The crystal and molecular structure of trichlorogermylcobalt tetracarbonyl, Cl3GeCo(CO)4

The crystal and molecular structure of trichlorogermylcobalt tetracarbonyl. Cl₃GeCo(CO)₄, has been determined from three-dimensional X-ray data collected by counter methods. The structure has been resolved by vector-analysis and refined by least-squares techniques.It crystallizes in spacegroup C_c of the monoclinic system, with eight molecules in a cell of dimensions: a = 26.238 (3) å, b = 6.623 (5), c = 12.969 (2) and β = 106°12′ (2). The final conventional R factor for the 1647 reflections above background is 0.098.Both molecules in the asymmetric unit exhibit slight, but significant, deviations from C_3u symmetry. The coordination of the Co atoms is trigonal bipyramidal, and that of the Ge atoms is tetrahedral. The equatorial carbonyl groups are in a staggered conformation with respect to the chlorine atoms. The corresponding carbonyl-cobalt-germane angles are less than 90°. The average Ge-Co distance of the two molecules in the asymmetric unit is 2.31 å