Molecular Structure of Trimethylphosphine-boron Trichloride by Gas Electron Diffraction

Abstract

Abstract The molecular structure of trimethylphosphine-boron trichloride (CH3)3P·BCl3 has been determined from gas electron-diffraction data. The structure parameters and uncertainties are rg(P–B)=1.941(16) Å, rg(B–Cl)=1.851(7) Å, rg(C–P)=1.800(4) Å, rg(C–H)=1.099(5) Å, rg(Cl…Cl)=3.022(5) Å, and rg(C…C)=2.936(10) Å. The potential barrier about the P–B axis is 3.8±0.7 kcal mol−1 in the gas phase. The data show that the molecular structure in the gas phase is nearly equal to that in the solid phase.