Molecular structure of tris(methylsilyl)amine in the gas phase determined by electron diffraction

Abstract

The molecular structure of tris(methylsilyl)amine in the gas phase has been determined by electron diffraction. The NSi3 skeleton is planar, and one Si–C bond lies perpendicular to this plane, while the other two Si–C bonds are twisted up to 20° out of the plane, so that the molecule overall approximates to C8 symmetry. Principal bond lengths (ra) are: Si–N 172.9(3), Si–C 185.3(4), Si–H 149.2(10), and C–H 110.7(7) pm. The N–Si–C angle is 112.3(8)°.