Molecular structure of p-diisocyanobenzene from gas-phase electron diffraction and theoretical calculations and effects of intermolecular interactions in the crystal on the benzene ring geometry

In this study, the molecular structure of p-diisocyanobenzene has been determined by gas-phase electron diffraction and quantum chemical calculations. The electron diffraction intensities from a previous study by Colapietro et al. (J Mol Struct 125:19–32, 1984) have been reanalyzed using geometrical constraints and initial values of vibrational amplitudes from computations. The equilibrium structure of the molecule has D _2h symmetry, whereas the average geometry in the gaseous phase is best described by a non-planar model of C _2v symmetry. The lowering of symmetry is due to large-amplitude motion of the substituents out of the plane of the benzene ring. The non-planar model has an internal ring angle at the ipso position, ∠_aC2–C1–C6 = 120.6 ± 0.2°, about 1° smaller than that from the previous study, but consistent with the quantum chemical calculations. The mean length of the ring C–C bonds and the length of the triple bond are accurately determined as 〈r _g(C–C)〉 = 1.398 ± 0.003 Å and r _g(N≡C) = 1.177 ± 0.002 Å, respectively. Comparison with the gaseous isoelectronic molecules p-diethynylbenzene and p-dicyanobenzene shows that the differences in the mean lengths of the ring C–C bonds and in the lengths of the triple bonds determined by electron diffraction are equal or closely similar to the corresponding differences from quantum chemical calculations. The present experimental value of the ipso angle in free p-diisocyanobenzene is slightly, but significantly smaller than that obtained by X-ray crystallography. The difference is confirmed by computational modeling of the crystal structure and appears to be due to –N≡C···H–C intermolecular interactions in the crystal.     

The structure of cyclopentene oxide determined by gas phase electron diffraction

The r_g structure of cyclopentene oxide has been determined by the simultaneous least squares analysis of electron diffraction and microwave spectroscopic data. The investigation has reaffirmed previous studies indicating that the molecule prefers a boat conformation. The methylene and epoxide flap angles obtained are 152.3±2.1° and 104.7±1.0° respectively. Other structural parameters determined are: r_g (C-H avg.) = 1.120±0.004 Å; r_g (C-C avg.) = 1.538±0.002 Å; r_g (C-O) = 1.443±0.003 Å, and r_g (C-C) = 1.482±0.004 Å for the carbon-carbon bond in the three membered epoxide ring. These results compare favorably with the reported structures of ethylene oxide and cyclohexene oxide. A tentative rationalization of the unusual boat conformation is also offered.     

Molecular structures of propene and 3,3,3-trifluoropropene determined by gas electron diffraction

The structures of propene and 3,3,3-trifluoropropene have been studied by electron diffraction intensities measured in the present study and rotational constants reported in the literature. The following average structures have been determined: For propene, r_g(CC) = 1.342 ± 0.002 Å, r_g(C-C) = 1.506 ± 0.003 Å, r_g(C-H)_vinyl = 1.104 ± 0.010 Å, r_g(C-H)_methyl = 1.117 ± 0.008 Å, ∠(C-CC) = 124.3 ± 0.4°, ∠(CC-H) = 121.3 ± 1.4°, and ∠(C-C-H) = 110.7 ± 0.9°; for trifluoropropene, r_g(CC) = 1.318 ± 0.008 Å, r_g(C-C) = 1.495 ± 0.006 Å, r_g(C-H)= 1.100 ± 0.018 Å, r_g(C-F) = 1.347 ± 0.003 Å, ∠(C-CC) = 125.8 + 1.1°, ∠(C-C-F) = 112.0 ± 0.2°, where the valence angles refer to the r_av structure, and the uncertainties represent estimated limits of experimental error. A simple set of quadratic force constants for each molecule has been estimated. Regular trends have been observed in the CC and C-C bond distances and the C-CC angles in these and related molecules. Significant differences between the CC, C-C and C-F distances and the C-C-F angle in trifluoropropene and in hexafluoroisobutene reported by Hilderbrandt et al. have been indicated.     

Molecular structures of isobutene and 2,3-dimethyl-2-butene as studied by gas electron diffraction

The structures of isobutene and 2,3-dimethyl-2-butene have been studied by gas electron diffraction. For isobutene the rotational constants obtained by Laurie by microwave spectroscopy have also been taken into account. Leastsquares analyses have given the following r_g bond distances and valence angles (r_av for isobutene and r_α for dimethylbutene): for isobutene, r(CC) = 1.342±0.003 Å, r(C-C)= 1.508±0.002Å, r(C-H, methyl) = 1.119±0.007 Å, r(C-H, methylene) = 1.095±0.020 Å, ∠(C-CC) = 122.2±0.2°, ∠(H-C-H) = 107.9±0.8°, and ∠(C-C-H) 121.3±1.5°; for dimethylbutene, r(CC)= 1.353 ±0.004 Å, r(C-C) = 1.511±0.002 Å, r(C-H) = 1.118± 0.004 Å, ∠(C-CC)= 123.9±0.5°, and ∠(H-C-H)= 107.0±1.0°, where the uncertainties represent estimated limits of experimental error. The bond distances and valence angles in these molecules and in related molecules are compared with one another. The CC and C-C bond distances increase almost regularly with the number of methyl groups, and the C-C bonds in isobutene and dimethylbutene are shorter than those in acetaldehyde and acetone by about 0.01 Å. Systematic variations in the C-CC angles suggest the steric influence of methyl groups.     

An electron diffraction investigation of the molecular structure of gaseous 2,3-dimethyl-2-butene

The gas phase molecular structure of 2,3-dimethyl-2-butene has been investigated by the electron, diffraction technique. The following structural parameters (r_a structure) have been obtained: CC = 1.336±0.004 Å; C-C = 1.505±0.002 Å; C-H = 1.092±0.003 Å; ∠CC-C = 123.4±0.4°; ∠C-C-H = 110.5±0.7°; methyl torsional angle CC-C-H = 31±3°. If local C_3v symmetry is assumed then a twist of 13 ±4° of the carbon skeleton is observed. This twist reduces to virtually 0° if no local symmetry is imposed on the methyl group. The twisted structure is in good agreement with that obtained by valence force-field calculations.     

An electron diffraction study of the molecular structure of meta-difluorobenzene

The molecular structure of meta-difluorobenzene in the gas phase has been determined by electron diffraction at room temperature. The carbon ring deviates slightly from D_6h symmetry. The four C-C distances adjacent to the F atoms are 1.384 Å, the two other C-C distances are slightly longer, i.e. 1.405 Å. The C-F and C-H distances are 1.324 and 1.107 Å. The C-C-F valency angle is 119.5°.     

The zero point average structure of isobutane as determined by electron diffraction and microwave spectroscopy

The molecular structure of isobutane in the gas phase was investigated by combining electron diffraction data with microwave spectroscopic rotational constants of Lide.The analysis indicated that the tertiary C-H distance (r_g = 1.122±0.006 Å) was substantially longer than the average methyl C-H distance (r_g = 1.113±0.002 Å). Other structural parameters obtained were: r_g(C-C) = 1.535±0.001 Å, ∠CCC = 110.8±0.2°, and the average ∠CCH (methyl) = 111.4±0.2°.     

Electron diffraction and CNDO/2 investigation on the molecular structure of tetrafluoro-1,3-diselenetane (F2CSe)2

The molecular structure of tetrafluoro-1,3-diselenetane was determined in the gas phase by electron diffraction. A planar ring configuration with the following geometric parameters (r_g-values) was obtained:r(Se-C) = 1.968 ± 0.004 Å, r(C-F) = 1.353 ± 0.003 Å, ∠SeCSe = 98.5° ± 0.4°, ∠FCF = 106.3 ± 0.8°. SCF-MO calculations in the CNDO/2 approximation confirm the planarity of the four membered ring and give a plausible explanation for the remarkably short Se-C bond length in the ring which in spite of ring strain is shorter than in Se(CF₃)₂. There exists a strong bonding interaction between the diagonal selenium atoms which amounts to about one fourth of a normal single bond strength.     

Structure of ScBr3 and Sc2Br6 molecules determined by the synchronous gas-phase electron diffraction and mass spectrometric experiment and quantum chemical calculations

The structure of monomeric and dimeric molecules of scandium tribromide is studied by the synchronous electron diffraction and mass spectrometric experiment at T = 888(10) K and also by the quantum chemical calculations. The experimental data on the structural parameters of ScBr₃ molecule were obtained for the first time; also for the first time the molecular structure of Sc₂Br₆ dimeric molecule was studied. It is found that the ScBr₃ molecule has the C _3v effective configuration with the distance r _g (Sc-Br) = 2.430(3) Å and the valence angle ∠_g(Br-Sc-Br) = 117.6(5)°. The equilibrium structure of the given molecule is planar with D _3h symmetry. According to a theoretical study by DFT and MP2 methods, Sc₂Br₆ molecule has the equilibrium structure of D _2h symmetry with four Sc-Br bridge bonds. It was confirmed by the results of the electron diffraction analysis.     

The structure of bis(1,1,1,5.5,5-hexafluoro-2,4. pentadionato) copper(II) as determined by gas phase electron diffraction

The r_g structure of bis(1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoroacetylacetonato) copper(II) has been determined by gas phase electron diffraction. The experimental data were found to be consistent with a D_2h model in which the oxygens from the two ligands are arranged in an essentially square planar configuration about the copper atom (∠OCuO = 90.6° ± 1.2°). It was possible to obtain a precise value for the copper oxygen bond length, r_g = 1.919 ± 0.008 Å, since this distance appeared as an isolated peak in the radial distribution curve. Structural parameters for the ligand (r_g(C-O) = 1.276 ± 0.009 Å, r_g(C-C_ring) = 1.392 ± 0.015 Å, r_g(C-CF₃)= 1.558 ± 0.009 Å and r_g(C-F) = 1.339 ± 0.003 Å), while less precisely determined are, nevertheless, consistent with reported values for related molecules. A model for the rotational isomerism of the four CF₃ groups was invoked in order to explain various features in the radial distribution curve in a region from 2.5 to 5.5 Å.     

Molecular structures of acetyl fluoride and acetyl iodide

The molecular structures of acetyl fluoride and acetyl iodide have been determined by making use of the average distances obtained in the present study together with the moments of inertia reported in the literature. The large amplitude theory for a molecule with an internal top was used in the joint analysis. The thermal-average values of internuclear distances r_g and the bond angles in the zero-point average structure Φ_z are as follows: r_g(C-O) = 1.185 ±0.002 $\text{}\text{?}$rA, r_g(C-F) = 1.362± 0.002 Å, r_g(C-C) = 1.505±0.002 Å, r_g(C-H) = 1.101 ±0.004 Å, Φ_z(OCF) = 120.7°±0.4°,Φ_z(CCF) = 110.5° ± 0.5°, Φ_z(HCH) = 109.3°±0.6° tilt(CH₃) = 0.1°±1°, for acetyl fluoride; r_g(C=O) = 1.198±0.013 $\text{}\text{?}$rA, r_g(C-I) = 2.217±0.009 Å, r_g(C-C) = 1.492±0.015 $\text{}\text{?}$rA, r_g(C-H) = 1.101 ± 0.004 Å, Φ_z(OCI) = 119.5°± 0.8°,Φ_z(CCI) = 111.7°±0.9°, Φ_z(HCH) = 110.8°±0.8° and tilt(CH₃) = 1.7°+5.4° for acetyl iodide. The uncertainties represent the estimated limits of error. The barriers V₃ to internal rotation have been reanalyzed making use of the effective moments of inertia of the methyl top estimated on the basis of the large amplitude theory and resulted in 1039 and 1176 cal mol^?1 for acetyl fluoride and acetyl iodide, respectively. The structure parameters have been compared with those of other CH₃COX (X = Cl, Br, H, CH₃) type molecules.     

Electron-diffraction study of hydrogen isotope effects in cyclohexane

The electron-diffraction data for cyclohexane and perdeuterated cyclohexane were analyzed and the results were compared. It was found that r_g(C-C) = 1.535 Å (±0.002) for both compounds; r_g (C-H) = 1.116 Å (±0.004) and r_g(C-D) = 1.109 Å (±0.003). Observed hydrogen isotope effects in mean amplitudes agree very well with calculated ones. The C-C bond distance of cyclohexane is in good agreement with some of the previous studies, which is of importance in view of a recent scaling controversy involving this parameter.     

The molecular structure of pyrazine as determined from gas-phase electron diffraction data

The structure of pyrazine (1,4 diazabenzene, C₄H₄N₄) has been determined at 333 K by means of gas-phase electron diffraction. The r_g parameters are as follows: r(C-C) = 1.339 ± 0.002 Å. r(C-N) = 1.403 ± 0.004 Å, r(C-H) = 1.115 ± 0.004 Å. ∠C-C-N = 115.6 ± 0.4°, and ∠C-C-H = 123.9 ± 0.6° (error limits are 2.5σ). At a 10% level the r_α structure does not differ significantly from the structure in the solid state, so long as high order X-ray, results corrected for librational motion are used; otherwise significantly different results are found even at the 1% level. Calculated and observed mean square amplitudes compare favourably.     

Molecular structure of lutetium trichloride monomer and dimer

This paper reports on a simultaneous electron diffraction and mass spectrometric study of the saturated vapor of lutetium trichloride at T = 1070(10) K. It is found that the vapor consists of the monomer LuCl₃ [91.6(1.2) mol. %] and dimer Lu₂Cl₆. The following parameters were obtained for LuCl₃ (r_g configuration): r_g(Lu-Cl) = 2.403(5) Å, r_g(CL.Cl) = 4.119(18) Å,_g(Cl-Lu-Cl) = 117.9(1.3)?. Calculation of vibrational corrections for a transition from r_g to r_α geometry gave a planar equilibrium configuration for LuCl₃ with D_3h symmetry, whereas our previous electron diffraction study recommended a pyramidal configuration. Possible reasons for this controversy are discussed. The geometry of the Lu₂Cl₆ molecule of D_2h symmetry is described by the following parameters (ra configuration): r_α(Lu-Cl_t) = 2.366(5) Å, r_α(Lu-Clα) = 2.589(24) Å, ZCl_t-rLu-Cl_t = 119(7)?, ZCl_b-Lu-Cl_b = 84(2)?. The mean energies of the terminal [E(Lu-Cl_t) = 485 kJ/mole] and bridging [E(Lu-Cl_b) = 292 kJ/mole] bonds of Lu₂Cl₂₆ are estimated.     

The molecular structure of p-bis(trimethylsilyl)-benzene from gas phase electron diffraction

Nearly regular tetrahedral silicon bond configuration and a considerably distorted ring characterize the p-bis(trimethylsilyl)benzene molecular geometry according to an electron diffraction study. The SiC_methyl bond is longer than the SiC_phenyl bond, in agreement with expectation but contrary to an X-ray diffraction determination. The extent of ring deformation is consistent with the electropositive character of the trimethylsilyl substituent and with the structural variations in other para-disubstituted benzene derivatives. The electron diffraction data are consistent with either free rotation around the SiC_phenyl bonds or with a rotamer deviating by about 15° from the eclipsed form. The following bond lengths (r_g, pm) and bond angles (°) have been determined with parenthesized estimated total errors: (CC)_mean 140.8(3), (C_ipso)(C_orthoC_meta) 1.6(7), (SiC)_mean 188.0(4), (SiC_methyl)(SiC_phenyl) 3.3(7), (CH)_methyl 111.3(3), CC_ipsoC 115.7(6), and C_phenylSiC_methyl 109.2(4).     

Molecular structure of erbium trichloride monomer and dimer by electron diffraction and mass spectrometric data

A simultaneous electron diffraction and mass spectrometric experiment was performed to investigate erbium trichloride vapor at 1134(20) K. The vapor contains 97(2) mol.% monomer and 3(2) mol.% dimer. For the ErCl₃ molecule, the following parameters were found: r_g(Er-Cl) 2.430(5) å, r_g(Cl-Cl) 4.036(19) å, effective angle CIErCl 112.3(1.2)?; with vibrational corrections included, these values correspond to the pyramidal equilibrium configuration of the molecule. For the dimer, a stmcture of D_2h, symmetry with four bridging bonds was adopted and the following parameters were found: r_g(Er-Cl₁) 2.444(5) å, r_g(Er-Cl_h) 2.65(4) å, ∠Cl₁-Er-Cl₁ 117(5)°, ∠Cl_b-Er-Cl_b 84(10)°.     

Electron diffraction determination of the vapour phase molecular structure of azetidine, (CH2)3NH

The electron diffraction study of azetidine yielded the following main geometrical parameters (r_a structure): dihedral angle (the angle between the C-C-C and C-N-C planes) φ = 33.1 ± 2.4°, r(C-N) = 1.482 ± 0.006Å, r(C-C) = 1.553 ± 0.009Å, r(C-H) = 1.107 ± 0.003Å, ∠C-N-C = 92.2 ± 0.4°, ∠C-C-C = 86.9 ± 0.4° and ∠C-C-N = 85.8 ± 0.4°.     

Molecular structure and conformation of triphenylsilane from gas-phase electron diffraction and theoretical calculations, and structural variations in H4?nSiPhn molecules (n?=?1–4)

The molecular structure of triphenylsilane has been investigated by gas-phase electron diffraction and theoretical calculations. The electron diffraction intensities from a previous study (Rozsondai B, Hargittai I, J Organomet Chem 334:269, 1987) have been reanalyzed using geometrical constraints and initial values of vibrational amplitudes from calculations. The free molecule has a chiral, propeller-like equilibrium conformation of C ₃ symmetry, with a twist angle of the phenyl groups τ = 39° ± 3°; the two enantiomeric conformers easily interconvert via three possible pathways. The low-frequency vibrational modes indicate that the three phenyl groups undergo large-amplitude torsional and out-of-plane bending vibrations about their respective Si–C bonds. Least-squares refinement of a model accounting for the bending vibrations gives the following bond distances and angles with estimated total errors: r _g(Si–C) = 1.874 ± 0.004 ?, 〈r _g(C–C)〉 = 1.402 ± 0.003 ?, 〈r _g(C–H)〉 = 1.102 ± 0.003 ?, and ∠_aC–Si–H = 108.6° ± 0.4°. Electron diffraction studies and MO calculations show that the lengths of the Si–C bonds in H_4−n SiPh _n molecules (n = 1–4) increase gradually with n, due to π → σ*(Si–C) delocalization. They also show that the mean lengths of the ring C–C bonds are about 0.003 ? larger than in unsubstituted benzene, due to a one hundredth angstrom lengthening of the C_ipso–C_ortho bonds caused by silicon substitution. A small increase of r(Si–H) and decrease of the ipso angle with increasing number of phenyl groups is also revealed by the calculations.     

Combined ab initio,electron diffraction,molecular mechanics and vibrational investigations of 1,1 -dimethyl-trans-2-decalone

The conformational behavior of 1,1'dimethyl-trans-2-decalone was studied by combined ab initio, electron diffraction, molecular mechanics and vibrational procedures, and the molecule was found to exist in a distorted all-chair ground state with average C-C, C-H and CO bond distances of r_g = 1.543 Å ± 0.002, r_g = 1.122 Å ± 0.007, and r_g = 1.236 Å ± 0.012, respectively. The ab initio calculations were performed on an STO-3G minimal basis and are indicative of the growing usefulness of quantum-mechanical techniques in the study of medium-sized molecular systems.     

The molecular structure of gaseous tetrachloro-p-benzoquinone and tetrachloro-o-benzoquinone by electron diffraction

The structures of tetrachloro-p-benzoquinone and tetrachloro-o-benzoquinone (p- and o-chloranil) have been investigated by gas electron diffraction. The ring distances are slightly larger and the carbonyl bonds slightly smaller than in the corresponding unsubstituted quinones. The molecules are planar to within experimental error, but small deviations from planarity such as those found for the para compound in the crystal are completely compatible with the data. Values for the geometrical parameters (r_a distances and bond angles) and for some of the more important amplitudes (l) with parenthesized uncertainties of 2σ including estimated systematic error and correlation effects are as follows. Tetrachloro-p-benzoquinone: D_2h symmetry (assumed); r(CO) = 1.216 Å(4), r(CC) = 1.353 Å(6), r(C-C) = 1.492 Å(3), r(C-Cl) = 1.701 Å(3), ∠C-C-C = 117.1° (7), ∠CC-C1 = 122.7° (2), l(CO)= 0.037 Å(5), l(CC) = l(C-C) - 0.008 Å(assumed) = 0.049 Å(7), and l(C-Cl) = 0.054 Å(3). Tetrachloro-o-benzoquinone: C_2v symmetry (assumed); r(CO) = 1.205 Å(5), r(CC) = 1.354 Å(9), r(C_cl-C_cl) = 1.478 Å(28), r(Co-C_cl) = 1.483 Å(24), r(C_o-C_o) = 1.526 Å(2), r(C-Cl)= 1.705 Å(3), <C_o-CO = 121.0° (22), ∠C-C-C = 117.2° (9), ∠C_co, ClC-Cl = 118.9° (22), ∠C_ccl, ClC-Cl = 122.2°(12), l(CO) = 0.039 Å(5), and l(C_cl-C_cl) = l(C_o-C_cl) = l( Co-Co) = l(CC) + 0.060 Å(equalities assumed) = 0.055 Å(9). Vibrational'shortenings (shrinkages) of a few of the long non-bond distances have also been measured.