Electron diffraction study of the structure of the NbOF3 molecule

Simultaneous electron diffraction and mass spectrometric study of vapor over hydrolyzed NbF₅ was carried out. Conditions providing the presence of niobium oxytrifluoride in the gas phase have been revealed, and structural parameters of the NbOF₃ molecule, corresponding to the r_α configuration of C_3v symmetry, have been determined: r_α(Nb=O) 1.688(7), Å; r_α(Nb-F) 1.861(4) Å; r_α(O-F) 2.857(23) Å; r_α(F-F) 3.079(22) Å; ∠_α(O-Nb-F) 107.1(1.5)^o; ∠_α(F-Nb-F) 111.6(1.4)^o. Ivanovo State Chemical Technological Academy. Ivanovo State University. Translated fromZhumal Struktumoi Khimii, Vol. 37, No. 4, pp. 708–715, July–August, 1996. Translated by L. Smolina