On the geometry and internal rotation of XSCF3 compounds (X = F,Cl and CF3)

The molecular structures (r_α⁰ values) for XSCF₃ with X = F, Cl and CF₃ have been determined by electron diffraction of gases. While the geometry (C-F bond length and FCF angle) of the CF₃ groups and the bond angle at the sulfur atom depend very little on the substituent X, the S-C bond length increases with decreasing electronegativity of X from 1.805 (3) Å for X = F to 1.824 (6) Å for X = Cl. Torsional force constants for the CF₃ groups were derived from vibrational amplitudes. A strong increase of this force constant is observed between FSCF₃ (f_τ = 0.09 (2) mdyn Å) and CISCF₃ (f_τ = 0.18 (5) mdyn Å). The torsional frequencies derived from the electron diffraction experiment agree very well with the values observed in the far IR spectra for CISCF₃, and CF₃SCF₃. A force field for CF₃SCF₃ has been derived from IR and Raman data.