Electron diffraction study on the molecular structure of methyltrimethoxysilane

The electron diffraction data for methyltrimethoxysilane are consistent with a C₃ symmetry model, the predominant forms of which have rotational angle(s) between 100 and 155° around the SiO bond (the anti conformation of the CSiOC chain would respond to 0°). There is probably large amplitude motion around the SiO bonds. The following bond lengths and bond angles were determined: r_a(CH) 1.093 ± 0.005, r_a(SiC) 1.842 ± 0.013, r_a(SiO) 1.632 ± 0.004, r_a(OC) 1.425 ± 0.004 », ∠CSiO 109.6 ± 0.5°. and ∠SiOC 123.6 ± 0.5°.