Electron diffraction study on the molecular structure of hexamethylcyclotrisilazane, [(CH3)2SiNH]3

A gas electron diffraction study yielded the following geometrical parameters for hexamethylcyclotrisilazane: r(Si-N) = 1.728 ± 0.004 Å, r(Si-C) = 1.871 ± 0.004 Å, r(C-H) = 1.124 ± 0.007 Å, ∠N-Si-N = 108.4 ± 1.0°, ∠Si-N-Si = 126.8 ± 0.8°, ∠C-Si-C = 108.9 ± 2.3°, ∠H-C-H = 111.6 ± 0.9°. The (SiN)₃ ring was found to be puckered but the deviation from planarity is relatively small. Details of the ring shape could not be determined. The degree of ring puckering in six-membered rings with alternating atoms can be roughly predicted from the bond angles in analogous non-cyclic molecules.     

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.     

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°.     

The molecular structure of selenonyl fluoride,SeO2F2, and sulfuryl fluoride,SO2F2, as determined by gas-phase electron diffraction

The molecular structure of selenonyl fluoride (SeO₂F₂) and sulfuryl fluoride (SO₂F₂) has been studied by gas-phase electron diffraction. The geometries of both molecules are consistent with predictions of VSEPR (valence-shell electron-pair repulsion) theory. The results for the more important distance (r_a), bond angle, and r.m.s. amplitude (l) parameters with estimated uncertainties estimated at 2σ are for SeO₂F₂r(Se = 0) = 1.575 Å (0.002), r(Se-F) = 1.685 Å (0.002), ∠OSeO = 126.2° (0.5), ∠FSeF = 94.1° (0.5), l(Se = 0) = 0.0440 Å (0.0046), l(Se-F) = 0.0472 Å (0.0042), and for SO₂F₂r(S = 0) = 1.397 Å (0.002), r(S-F) = 1.530 Å (0.002), ∠OSO = 122.6° (1.2), ∠FSF = 96.7° (1.1), l(S = 0) = 0.0331 Å (0.0015), l(S-F) = 0.0393 Å (0.0018).     

Structure determination of gaseous 1,3-dimethyl-2chloro-diazaboracyclopentane by electron diffraction

By means of gas phase electron diffraction it has been shown that the five-membered ring in 1,3-dimethyl-2-chloro-diazaboracyclopentane is essentially planar, while there seems to be a slight deviation from planarity about the N atoms. The most important bond lengths (r_a) and bond angles are (standard deviations in parentheses): r(B-N) = 1.413(3) Å; r(C-N)_av = 1.455(2) Å; r(B-Cl) = 1.770(4) Å; ∠NBN = 110.8(3)°; ∠B2N3C4 = 108.6(3)°; ∠N3C4C5 = 105.7(3)°.     

An electron diffraction study of the molecular geometry of dimethyl sulphone

The present electron diffraction study of dimethyl sulphone eliminates the discrepancy between the values of the parameter ∠O-S-O obtained by microwave spectroscopy and electron diffraction. The following geometrical parameters (r_a values) have been obtained: r(C-H) = 1.114±0.003 Å, r(S-O) = 1.435±0.003 Å, r(S-C) = 1.771±0.004 Å, ∠C-S-C = 102.6±0.9°, ∠O-S-O = 119.7±1.1° and ∠S-C-H = 108.5±0.8°. Comparison of sulphone molecular geometries shows a trend toward longer S-O bonds and smaller O-S-O bond angles as ligand electronegativity decreases. The constancy of the O?O interatomic distance indicates the importance of non-bonded interactions.     

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)°.     

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.     

Electron diffraction and quantum chemical study of the molecular structure of 4-methylbenzene sulfochloride

A combined electron diffraction and mass spectrometric study was carried out to investigate the molecular structure of 4-methylbenzene sulfochloride at 330(2) K. An analysis of the electron diffraction data was performed in terms of the r_α structure. Several models of geometrical structure having different orientations of the sulfochloride group relative to the plane of the benzene ring are treated. The following values of structural parameters were obtained: r_α(C-H)_meth= 1.104(41)Å, r_a(C-H)/_phen = 1.103(27)Å, r_a(C-C)_phen = 1.403(7) Å, r_a(C-C)_meth = 1.512(25) Å, r_a(C-S) =1.758(6) Å, r_a(S = O) = 1.419(3) Å,r _a(S-Cl) = 2.049(5) Å, ∠CCH_meth = 106.9(47)?, ∠CSO = 110.5(6)?, ∠CSCl = 101.3(6)°, ∠OSO = 120.5(9)°. The angle between the plane of the benzene ring and the plane of the S-Cl bond was found to be 83°. Ab initio and semiempirical quantum chemical calculations were accomplished to estimate the geometrical and energy parameters and compare them with electron diffraction data.     

The molecular structure of selenium oxychloride as studied by electron diffraction

The molecular geometry of selenium oxychloride has been studied by electron diffraction. The internuclear distances (in terms of r_a) are: r(Se-O) 1.612 ± 0.005 Å, r(Se-Cl) 2.204 ± 0.005 Å, r(Cl β O) 3.064 ± 0.012 Å, r(Cl β Cl) 3.295 ± 0.016 Å. The bond angles are ∠Cl-Se-O 105.8 ± 0.7° and ∠ Cl-Se-Cl 96.8 ± 0.7°. The structural parameters of three simple selenium-oxygen compounds are compared with those of their sulphur analogs in terms of the valence shell electron pair repulsion model.     

Molecular structure and conformation of gaseous bromoacetyl chloride and bromoacetyl bromide as determined by electron diffraction

Bromoacetyl chloride and bromoacetyl bromide are studied by gas phase electron diffraction at nozzle-tip temperatures of 70°C and 77°C, respectively. Both compounds exist as mixtures of anti and gauche conformers. The mole fraction anti, with uncertainties estimated at 2σ, was found to be 0.474(0.080) for bromoacetyl chloride and 0.615(0.069) for bromoacetyl bromide. The results for the distance (r_a)and angle (∠α) parameters, with parenthesized uncertainties of 2σ including estimated uncertainty in the electron wave length and correlation effects are as follows: (1) bromoacetyl chloride, r(C-H) = 1.086(0.062) Å, r(CO) = 1.188(0.009) Å, r(C-C) = 1.519(0.018) Å, r(C-Cl) = 1.789(0.011) Å, r(C-Br) = 1.935(0.012) Å, ∠C-CO = 127.6(1.3)°, ∠C-C-Cl = 111.3(1.1)°, ∠C-C-Br = 111.0(1.5)°, ∠H-C-H = 109.5°(assumed), $\text{}\text{?}$/o (gauche torsion angle relative to 0° for the anti form) = 110.0°(assumed); (2) bromoacetyl bromide, r(C-H) =1.110(0.088) Å, r(C=O) = 1.175(0.013) Å, r(C-C) = 1.513(0.020) Å, r(CO-Br) = 1.987(0.020) Å, r(CH₂-Br) = 1.915(0.020) Å, ∠C-CO = 129.4(1.7)°, ∠CH₂-CO-Br = 110.7(1.5)°, ∠CO-CH₂-Br = 111.7(1.8)°, ∠H-C-H = 109.5°(assumed), ∠ø (gauche torsion angle relative to 0° for the anti form) = 105.0°(assumed). The structural results are discussed in connection with the structures of related molecules.     

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.     

Gas-phase electron diffraction studies of the molecular structures of pentafluoroethane,C2F5H,and monofluoroethane,C2H5F

The molecular structures of C₂F₅H and C₂H₅F have been studied using gas-phase electron diffraction data collected on the Balzers KDG2 instrument. The following values for the main independent geometrical parameters were obtained (r_a values with e.s.d. in parentheses): in C₂F₅H, C-C = 1.525(4) Å, C-F(CHF₂) = 1.347 Å, C-F(CF₃) = 1.327 Å [C-F(av.) = 1.335(2) Å], ∠CCF(av.) = 110.0(2)°; in C₂H₅F, C-C = 1.502(5) Å, C-F = 1.397(4) Å, C-H = 1.097(2) Å. ∠CCF = 110.4(2)°, ∠CCH(av.) = 113.6(4)°. Evidence is presented to show that the electron diffraction data for C₂H₅F are not compatible with values for the bond angles deduced spectroscopically.     

Molecular structure of hexafluorobicyclo [2.2.0]hexa-2,5-diene (hexafluoro-dewar-benzene) in the vapour phase

Hexafluoro-Dewar-benzene has been studied by the electron-diffraction method. A model with C_2v symmetry gives excellent agreement between experimental and theoretical data. The structural parameters with error limits are (cf. Fig. 1): r(C₁-C₄)= 1.598 ±0.017 Å, r(C₁-C₂) = 1.505 ±0.005 Å, r(C₂-C₃) = 1.366 ± 0.015 Å, r(C₁-F₁) = 1.328±0.015 Å, r(C₂-F₂) = 1.319±0.007 Å, ∠F₁C₁C₄ = 118.7±0.7°, ∠F₂C₂C₃ = 133.6±0.7°, τ= 121.8±2.0°, and δ = -7.5±2.0°. Molecular orbital calculations by the CNDO/2 method gave τ = 119.8° and δ = ?4.2°.     

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)°.     

An electron diffraction investigation of the molecular structure of dichloromaleic anhydride

The molecular structure of gaseous dichloromaleic anhydride has been investigated by electron diffraction at a nozzle-tip temperature of 164–170°C. The molecule is planar to within experimental error, but small deviations from planarity corresponding to torsion up to about 10° around the carbon-carbon single bonds cannot be ruled out. Values of the more important r_α distances and angles with estimated 2σ uncertainties are r(CO) = 1.188(2) Å, r(CC) = 1.332(5) Å, r(C-O) = 1.389(3) Å, r(C—C) = 1.495(3) Å, r(C—Cl) = 1.685(2) Å, ∠CC-Cl = 129.4(2)°, ∠C-CO = 128.5(4)° and ∠CC—C = 107.9(2)°. The shortening of the carbonyl bond relative to that in maleic anhydride itself is discussed in terms of a possible general effect of vicinal substitution.     

An electron diffraction and CNDO/2 investigation of the molecular structure and internal rotation of hexafluorodisilane,Si2F6

The molecular structure and internal rotation of Si₂F₆ were investigated by electron diffraction of gases. The following r⁰_α -values for the geometric parameters were obtained: r(Si-Si) = 2.317 ± 0.006 Å, r(Si-F) = 1.564 ± 0.002 Å and ∠FSiF = 108.6° ± 0.3°. The barrier to internal rotation was found to be between 0.51 ± 0.10 and 0.73 ± 0.14 kcal mol^?1, depending on different assumptions of temperature drop due to gas expansion in the nozzle. Attempts were made to calculate the potential barriers for Si₂X₆ molecules with X as H, F and Cl, using the CNDO/2 approximation. When the 3d orbitais of silicon are taken into account, these results differ widely from the experimental values in the case of Si₂Fg₆ and Si₂Cl₆. Neglecting the 3d orbitais of silicon the theoretical and experi- mental potential barriers agree very well.     

The gas-phase molecular structure of CF3HgCH3 - an electron diffraction and microwave study

The molecular structure of CF₃HgCH₃ in the gas phase is determined by a joint analysis of electron diffraction and microwave data. The following geometric parameters (r_av values) are derived: r(Hg—CH₃) = 2.052(5) Å, r(Hg—CF₃) = 2.116(4) Å. r(C-F) = 1.354(2) Å. r(C—H) = 1.079(14) Å, ∠.FCF = 105.7(0.2)° and ∠HCH = 107.0(1.5)°. Error limits are twice the standard deviations.     

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 and CNDO/2 calculations on the complex of aluminium trichloride with ammonia,Cl3Al.NH3

The molecular geometry of the complex of aluminium trichloride with ammonia, Cl₃Al.NH₃, has been studied by electron diffraction. The most important internuclear distances in terms of r_a parameters are as follows: r(Al-Cl) = 2.100±0.005 Å, r(Al-N) = 1.996±0.019 Å, r(Cl·Cl) = 3.569±0.011 Å and r(Cl·N) = 3.165±0.012 Å. The Cl-Al-Cl bond angle in terms of an approximate r_a structure is 116.9°. The assumptions of a staggered model in the structure analysis was justified by CNDO/2 calculations. The experimental data indicate strong linkage between the donor and acceptor parts. The flat pyramidal average configuration of the AlCl₃ part of the complex suggests planar equilibrium structure for free AlCl₃. Variations in the bond configurations of the donor and acceptor parts, as compared with those of the respective free molecules, are discussed.