Tetraaryl-methane analogues in group 14—V. Distortion of tetrahedral geometryin terms of through-space π–π and π–σ interactions andNMR sagging in terms of π–σcharge transfer

44 members of thecompound series Ph_4−nMR_n (M=Si, Ge, Sn, Pb; R=o-, m-, p-Tol; n=0–4) were synthesized (15 newcompounds). The crystal structures of Ph₃Sn (o-Tol) and PhSn (o-Tol)₃ were determined and compared to 16 known structures. Subject to the distanced (M–C), an interplay between through-space π–π repulsion and π–σ attraction leads to either elongated or compressed tetrahedral geometry. ²⁹ Si-, ¹¹⁹ Sn- and ²⁰⁷ Pb-NMR chemical shifts were determined in solution and in the solid state. ⁷³ Ge chemical shifts were measured only in solution. Anupfield or downfield sagging of the chemical shifts along each series is rationalized in terms of a π–σcharge transfer which is constrained by torsion of the aromatic groups.