The gas-phase molecular structure of methyl formate,determined by electron diffraction

The structure of methyl formate in the gas phase has been reinvestigated by electron diffraction. The results confirm that the molecular skeleton is cis-planar, with bond lengths and angles in close agreement with those found by microwave techniques. Principal parameters (r_a) are: r(CO) 120.2(2) pm, r(C-O) 134.0(2), and 143.5(3) pm; ∠ (OC-O) 125.4(5)°, and ∠ (C-O-C) 115.9(5)°.