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.     

Geometrical and electronic structure of LaI3 molecule from the gas electron diffraction data and quantum chemical calculations

The saturated vapor over LaI₃ has been studied using the electron diffraction method with mass-spectral monitoring. It was determined that at a temperature 1142(10) K, along with monomer molecules, dimers are present in the vapor in the quantity of 0.7 mol.%. Effective configuration parameters of LaI₃ molecule were obtained: r _g(La-I) 2.961(6) Å, ∠_g(I-La-I) 116.5(9)°, l(La-I) 0.106(1) Å and l(I…I) 0.412(7) Å. A small deviation of the valence angle ∠_g(I-L-I) from 120° can be totally caused by a contraction effect of the distance r _g(I…I) of LaI₃ molecule with planar equilibrium configuration. The electronic structure of LaI₃ molecule was examined by the B3LYP/SDD method. In terms of the NBO-analysis, the participation of lanthanum 4f-AO in bonding orbitals La-I is noted. It is shown that the NBO-analysis describes the bond La-I in LaI₃ molecule as predominantly ionic one with a noticeable covalence component. The energy of the heterolytic bond breakage E(La-I)_het = 1216 kJ/mole was calculated.     

Molecular structure of LuBr<Subscript>3</Subscript> according to the data of the simultaneous electron diffraction and mass spectrometric experiment

The saturated vapor of lutetium tribromide was studied in the simultaneous electron diffraction and mass spectrometric experiment at 1161(10) K. Along with the monomer molecular forms, the vapor contained an insignificant (up to 3 mol.%) amount of dimers. The parameters of the effective configuration of the monomer molecule were determined. The internuclear distance r _g(Lu-Br) is 2.553(5) Å, and the effective bond angle ∠_g(Br-Lu-Br) is 115.3(10)°. The temperature-averaged r _g parameters were calculated by the B3LYP method using the potential functions obtained by scanning the PES along the vibration coordinates and compared with similar experimental values. It was shown that the geometrical model of the LuBr₃ molecule of D _3h symmetry was consistent with the experimental data. The dependence of the r _g parameters of the LuBr₃ molecule on the vapor temperature was studied theoretically.     

Molecular structure of arsabenzene by gas-phase electron diffraction

Vapor-phase molecules of C₅H₅As were found, assuming C_2v symmetry, to have the following structure parameters and uncertainties (2.5σ): r_g(C-As)= 1.850 ± 0.003 Å, r_g(C₂–C₃) = 1.390 ± 0.032 /rA, r_g(C₃–C₄) = 1.401 ± 0.032 /rA, r_g(C-C_ave) = 1.395₄ ± 0.002 Å, ∠CAsC = 97.3 ± 1.7°, ∠AsCC = 125.1 ± 2.8°, and ∠C₃C₃C₄ = 124.2 ± 2.9°. Amplitudes of vibration were also determined. Auxiliary information is more restrictive than pure electron diffraction intensities as evidence that the molecule is rigorously planar. Structural characteristics of arsabenzene reinforce prior indications that the heterocyclic molecule is genuinely aromatic.     

Electron diffraction and quantum-chemical studies of the conformational properties of the 1,3-benzenedisulfochloride molecule

A combined electron diffraction (T = 394(5) K) and quantum-chemical (MP2/6-31G**) study has been performed to investigate the molecular structure of 1,3-benzenedisulfochloride (1,3-BDSC). The 1,3-BDSC molecule was found to exist as the trans (I) and cis (II) stable conformers where the planes containing S-Cl bonds are perpendicular to the plane of the benzene ring. The energy of conformer I is 0.13 kJ/mol lower than that of conformer II. The mutual effect of the sulfochloride groups was found to be absent, which is evident from the coincident bond lengths and angles in the two conformers. The main structural parameters of the conformers are r _h1(C-H)_av = 1.103(4) Å, r _h1(C-C)_av = 1.401(3) Å, r _h1(C-S) = 1.767(4) Å, r _h1(S=O) = 1.422(3) Å, r _h1(S-Cl) = 2.048(4) Å, ∠Cl-S-O = 106.6(2)°, ∠C-S-Cl = 100.4(5)°, ∠ O-S-O = 123.2(5)°.     

Electron diffraction study of molecular structure of mebicar

The structure of the mebicar molecule has been studied by gas-phase electron-diffractometry using quantum chemical calculations. An eclipsed conformation along the C-C bond (torsion angle ?(H-C-C-H) = 10°) and flattened semi-chair conformations of cyclic fragments have been found. The bond lengths (r _g ) and angles (∠α) show the following average values: r(C-C) 1.576(3) Å, r(C-N) 1.460(3) Å, r(C(O)-N) 1.390(4) Å, r(C=O) 1.211(5) Å, r(C-H) 1.090(5) Å, ∠CCN 103.0(5)°, ∠CNC(O) 112.2(1)°, ∠CNC 122.4(1)°. The dihedral angle between the cyclic fragments is 116.6°.     

The structure of 1-chloro-1-silabicyclo(2.2.2)octane as determined by gas-phase electron diffraction

The structure of 1 -chloro-1 -si labicyclo( 2.2.2 )octane is determined by gas-phase electron diffraction. The molecule is found to have a large amplitude twisting motion with a double minimum quartic potential function of the form V(φ) = V_o[1 + (φ/φ_o)⁴ - 2(φ/φ_o)²]. Least-squares analysis of the experimental data gives values of 1.4(0.8) kcal mole^? for V_o and 17.5(2.5)° for φ_o. Other structural parameters for the “quasi-C_3v” cage-like molecule include: r_g(Si-Cl) = 2.061(3) Å, r_g(Si-C) = 1.863(3) Å, r_g(C-C_av) = 1.559(2) Å, and r_g(C-H_av) = 1.098(7) Å. Several valence angles exhibit large deviations from tetrahedral values, e.g. ∠Cl-Si-C₂ = 114.6(0.2)°, ∠Si-C₂-C₃ = 105.8(0.4)°, ∠C₂-C₃-C₄ = 114.2(1.2)°, ∠C-₃-C₄-C₅ = 111.4(0.8)° and ∠C₂-Si-C₆= 103.9(0.2)°. Many of the structural features in this strained polycyclic compound. Including the nature of the quartic potential function, can be rationalized in terms of a simple molecular mechanics model. A new method for the calculation of an analytical Jacobian of the intensity function with respect to parameters of the potential function is also discussed.     

Molecular structure and conformation of gaseous 2-chloro-3-fluoro-1-propene

2-Chloro-3-fluoro-1-propene has been studied by electron diffraction, and the molecule was found to exist in equilibrium between a syn and a gauche conformation, with the syn conformation as the most stable. The most important structure parameters with standard deviation are: r_g(CC) = 1.338(6) Å,r_g(C—C) = 1.505(5) Å, r_g(C—F) = 1.378(4) Å, r_g(C-Cl) = 1.743(3) Å, ∠CC—Cl = 123.0(7)°, ∠CC—C = 125.6(6)° and ∠C—C—F = 111.2(8)°.A force field was determined by a least-squares refinement to vibrational frequencies. Mean square amplitudes of vibration and perpendicular amplitude correction coefficients have been calculated. The mean square amplitudes of vibration from the electron diffraction data are in very good agreement with the values calculated from the spectroscopic data.     

The structure and conformation of dichloroacetyl chloride as determined by gas-phase electron diffraction

The structure and conformation of dichloroacetyl chloride have been determined by gas-phase electron diffraction at nozzle temperatures of 20 and 119°C. The molecules exist as a mixture of two conformers with the hydrogen and oxygen atoms syn and gauche to each other. The composition (mole fraction of syn form) of the vapor was found to be 0.72 ± 0.06 and 0.73 ± 0.12 at 20 and 119°C, respectively, corresponding to almost equal energy for the two forms. The results for the distance (r_g), angle ∠α and r.m.s. amplitude (l) parameters obtained at the two temperatures are entirely consistent. At 20°C the more important parameters, with estimated uncertainties of 3σ are: r(C-H) = 1.062(0.049)Å, r(C0) = 1.189(0.003)Å, r(C-C) = 1.535(0.008)Å, r(CO-Cl) = 1.752 (0.009)Å, r(CHCl-Cl) = 1.771(0.004)Å, ∠C-CO = 123.3(1.3)°, ∠C-CO-Cl = 113.9 (5.9)°, ∠C-CHCl—Cl = 109.5(1.5)°, ∠C1-C-Cl = 111.7(0.5)°, ∠Cl-C-H = 108.0(1.5), φ₁ (HCCO torsion angle in the syn conformer) = 0.0° (assumed), φ₂ (HCCO torsion angle in the gauche conformer) = 138.2(5.1)°.     

Molecular structure of Pt(PF3)4 by gas-phase electron diffraction

The structure of Pt(PF₃)₄ was reinvestigated making use of a new theory of intramolecular dynamic scattering. Derived molecular parameters were insensitive to the dynamic corrections. Refinements for this tetrahedral molecule yielded r_g(Pt-P) = 2.229(5) Å, r_g(P-F) = 1.550(4) Å, and ∠PtPF = 118.9°(0.4), with the indicated uncertainties representing 2.5σ. Amplitudes of vibration were also determined. Diffraction patterns were consistent with freely rotating PF₃ groups.     

Electron diffraction and quantum-chemical studies of the molecular structure of 2-methylbenzenesulfochloride

A combined electron diffraction and quantum-chemical (MP2/6-31G**) study of the molecular structure of 2-methylbenzenesulfochloride at 336(5) K was carried out. It was found that the gas phase contained only one conformer, C ₁. The following structural parameters were obtained: r _h1(C-H)_av = 1.095(8) Å, r _h1(C-C)_Ph = 1.402(4) Å, r _h1(C_Ph-C_meth) = 1.507(13) Å, r _h1(C_Ph-S) = 1.763(6) Å, r _h1(S=O) = 1.418(4) Å, r _h1(S-Cl) = 2.048(5) Å, ∠(H-C-H)_meth/av = 107.3(96)°, ∠(Cl-S-O)_av = 106.4(3)°, ∠C_Ph-S-Cl = 100.8(9), ∠O=S=O = 120.8(10)°. The C_C-C_S-S-Cl torsion angle that defines the position of the S-Cl bond relative to the plane of the benzene ring is 75.6(20)°. The B3LYP/6-311+G** calculated barriers of internal rotation of the methyl and sulfochloride groups are 1.2 kcal/mol and V ₀₁ = 10.2 (V ₀₂ = 4.1) kcal/mol, respectively.     

The molecular structure and conformation of acetamides in the vapour phase: Part II. 2-Iodoacetamide

2-Iodoacetamide has been studied by electron diffraction, utilizing a new nozzle construction. A skew conformation with a dihedral angle of 126.3(1.1)° from syn (C-I bond eclipsing the C-N bond), and a gauche conformation with a dihedral angle of 42.3(1.6) both fit the experimental data almost equally well. However, comparison with the X-ray structure and the results for the two models indicate a slight preference for the skew form.The most important structural parameters are: r_g(CO) = 1.222(3)Å, r_g(C-N) = 1.370(3)Å, r_g(C-C) = 1.515(4) Å, r_g(C-I) = 2.160(4) Å, ∠_αOCC = 120.0(6)°, ∠_αNCC = 116.9(4)° and ∠_αCCl = 117.3(4)°. Parenthesized values are one standard deviation.     

Molecular structure and conformation of cis-1,3- dichloro-1-propene as determined by gas phase electron diffraction

The molecular structure and conformation of cis-1,3-dichloro-1-propene have been determined by gas phase electron diffraction at a nozzle temperature of 90°C. The molecule exists in a form in which the chlorine atom of the methyl group and the carbon-carbon double bond are gauche to one another. The results for the distance (r_g) and angle (∠_α) parameters are: r(C-H) = 1.078(10)Å, r(CC) = 1.340(5)Å, r(C-C) = 1.508(7)Å, r( =C-Cl) = 1.762(3)Å, r(C-Cl) = 1.806(3)Å, ∠Cl-C-C = 111.7°(1.8), ∠(CC-C) = 125.5°(1.5), ∠Cl-CC = 124.6°(1.6) and ∠H-C-Cl = 111°(5). The torsion-sensitive distances close to the gauche form can be approximated using a dynamic model with a quartic double minimum potential function of the form V(Φ) = V₀[1 + ($\text{Φ}\text{Φ}{}_0$⁴ - 2($\text{Φ}\text{Φ}{}_0$)²], where V_o = 1.1(8) kcal mol^?1 and Φ₀ = 56°(5) (Φ = 0 corresponds to the anti form).     

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°.     

Molecular structure and conformational composition of gaseous 1,1-dichloro-2-bromomethyl-cyclopropane and 1,1-dichloro-2-cyanomethyl-cyclopropane as determined by electron diffraction

The molecular structure of the title compounds have been investigated by gas-phase electron diffraction. Both molecules exist as about equal amounts of the two gauche conformers. There is no evidence for the presence of a syn conformer, but small amounts of this form cannot be excluded. Some of the important distance (r_a) and angle (∠_α) parameters for 1,1-dichloro-2-bromomethyl-cyclopropane are: r(CH) = 1.095(19) Å, r(C₁C₂) = 1.476(11) Å, r(C₂C₃) = 1.517(31) Å, r(CCH₂Br) = 1.543(32) Å, r(CCl) = 1.752(6) Å, r(CBr) = 1.950(13) Å, ∠CCBr = 110.5(1.9)°, ∠ClCCl = 111.9(6)°, ∠CCC = 117.5(1.3)°, σ₁ (CC torsion angle between CBr and the three-membered ring for gauche-1) = 116.2(5.6)°, σ₂ = −132.7(7.6). For 1,1-dichloro-2-cyanomethyl-cyclopropane the parameter values are: r(CH) = 1.101(16) Å, r(C₁C₂) = 1.498(9) Å, r(C₂C₃) = 1.544(21) Å, r(C₂C₄) = 1.497(33) Å, r(CCN) = 1.466(26) Å, r(CN) = 1.165(8) Å, r(CCl) = 1.754(5) Å, ∠CCCN = 113.7(2.0)°, ∠CCC = 122.8(1.6)°, ClCCl = 112.5(4)°, σ₁ = 113(13)°, σ₂ = −124(10)°.     

Structure and energy studies of β-diketonates. XIII. Molecular structure of gadolinium tris-hexafluoroacetylacetonate Gd(C5O2HF6)3

In a mass spectrometric study, it was found that the saturated vapor over gadolinium tris-hexafluoroacetylacetonate Gd(C₅O₂HF₆)₃ contains molecular forms with a mass exceeding the mass of the dimer. The vapor overheated to 250–300°C contains only the monomer form. Simultaneous electron diffraction and mass spectrometric experiment aimed at investigating the structure of the Gd(hfa)₃ monomer molecule was carried out at 284(5)°C. The Gd(hfa)₃ molecule was found to have the symmetry of the equilibrium D ₃ configuration. The basic structural parameters are r _h1(Gd-O) = 2.291(10) Å, r _h1(O-C) = 1.257(10) Å, r _h1(C-C_r) = 1.404(6) Å, r _h1(C_F-F)_av = 1.341(3) Å, ∠OGdO = 72.8(0.4)°. The GdO₆ coordination polyhedron has the structure of a distorted antiprism. The rotation angle of the O-O-O trigonal faces relative to their position in a regular prism is 18.7(0.9)°. Quantum chemical calculations (HF/SBK, 6-31G*) generally reproduce the experimental structure, but the Gd-O internuclear distance is exaggerated by 0.04 Å.     

On the molecular structure of (CH3)2NSO2N(CH3)2 as studied by gas electron diffraction

The following bond lengths and bond angles have been deduced from a vapour phase electron diffraction study of (CH₃)₂NSO₂N(CH₃)₂: r(C-H) 1.114 ± 0.005 Å, r(S-O) 1.432 ± 0.010 Å, r(N-C) 1.475 ± 0.013 Å, r(S-N) 1.651 ± 0.003 Å, ∠N-C-H 109.3 ± 2.0°, ∠C-N-C 118.0 ± 302°, ∠S-N-C 115.2 ± 1.1°, ∠N-S-N 110.5±1.3° and ∠O-S-O 114.7±2.5°. The sulphur bond configuration and the prevailing conformation, which was identical to that in the crystal, are discussed in relation to analogous sulphide and sulphoxide derivatives.     

Gas electron diffraction study of the molecular structure of NbCl4

The structure of the NbCl₄ molecule is studied experimentally by the synchronous electron diffraction and mass spectrometry methods. The model molecular geometries of C_2v, C_3v, D_2d, and T_d symmetries are verified. The advantages of the tetrahedral model over the other models are established. The thermally averaged parameters of the effective configuration of the NbCl₄ molecule are as follows: r_g(Nb?Cl)=2.279(5) Å, l(Nb?Cl)=0.073(2) Å, r_g(Cl?Cl)=3.692(17) Å, l(Cl?Cl)=0.275(11) Å, ∠_g(Cl-Nb-Cl)=108.2(5)°, and δ(Cl?Cl)=0.030(19) Å.     

Molecular structure of n-butane: calculation of vibrational shrinkages and an electron diffraction re-investigation

A normal coordinate analysis was carried out based on the force field of Schachtschneider and Snyder in order to calculate all amplitudes of vibration and shrinkage corrections for n-butane. The results are tabulated to aid diffraction analyses of related substances. A vapor-phase electron diffraction reinvestigation of n-butane led to experimental measurements of the principal amplitudes of vibration and to the following molecular parameters (± 3σ ): r_g(C-C) = 1.531(2)Å, r_g(C-H)= 1.117(5)Å, ∠CCC (trans. gauche average) = 113.8(4)°, ∠CCH (ave) = 111.0(5)° , gauche CCCC dihedral angle 65(6)°, % trans conformer = 54 ± 9%, and ΔG° (gauche— trans) = 497 ± 220 cal mol^?1.     

Molecular structure of diphenyl sulfide in the gas phase

Gas-phase electron diffraction and quantum-chemical calculations were used to study the molecular structure of diphenyl sulfide. It is shown that the diphenyl sulfide molecule (PhS₂) possesses C ₂ symmetry. The main geometrical parameters are as follows: r _a(C-S) 1.774(2) Å, r _a(C-C)_av 1.401 Å, ∠CSC 103.4(11)°, ∠SCC 122.5 and 117.9(6)°, and ∠CCC_av 120.0°. The torsion angles about C-S bonds τ(CSCC) are ?49.6(1.4)°.