The molecular structure and conformations of oxepane as determined by gas electron diffraction

The electron-diffraction data for gaseous oxepane, collected at 310 K, can be explained in terms of a 53:47% mixture of two twist-chair conformations. Using the nomenclature of Crerner and Pople 1], the conformations are characterised by q₂ = 0.579 å, q₃ = 0.685 Å, φ₂ = 13.3°, φ₃, = 63.0° and q₂ = 0.511 Å. q₃ = 0.588 Å, ø₂ = 116.1°, ø₃ = 217.6°. The other structural parameters (r_a-structure) are r_CO = 1.419 Å, r_cc = 1.531 Å, r_CH = 1.105 Å, ∠H-C-H = 106.0°, with a mean ring valency angle of 112-0° for the former conformation, and of 116.2° for the latter. There is a good agreement between the experimental geometries and the results from molecular mechanics calculations.