The molecular structure of trans- and cis-bicyclo-[4.3.0]nonane in the gas phase,studied by electron diffraction and molecular mechanics

The structure and conformations of trans- and of cis-bicyclo4.3.0]nonane have been studied in the gas phase. Molecular mechanics calculations applying the force field of Ermer and Lifson were used to obtain geometrical constraints, vibrational amplitudes and perpendicular vibrational corrections. The vibrational parameters were corrected for the large amplitude motion of the five-membered ring. The refinement for the trans-isomer confirms completely the predictions of the force field calculations. Although a stable solution could not be obtained for the cis-compound there is no contradiction between experiment and model calculations. The cyclohexane ring in both isomers is found to have a distorted chair conformation. In the cis-isomer it is flattened along the junction and more twisted in the other part. For the trans-compound the reverse is true.The following structural parameters r_g, r_α-structure) are put forward, (a) trans-compound: C₂-symmetry, _r(C-C)_av = 1.536 Å. Average bond angle and average torsion angle in the cyclohexane ring are 110.2° and 58.1°, respectively. The connection angle, defined as the angle between the planes bisecting C6-C1-C5-C9 and C2-C1-C5-C4, is 180°. (b) cis-compound: no symmetry, r(C-C)_av = 1.536 Å. Average bond and torsion angles in the cyclohexane ring are 112.2° and 52.3°, respectively. The connection angle is 124.8°.A comparison is made with structures of related compounds.