Molecular structure of trichloroethenylgermane, CH2=CH-GeCl3, as studied by gas-phase electron diffraction. experimental determination of the barrier of internal rotation of the trichlorogermyl group supplemented with quantum chemical calculations on CH2=CH-MX3 (M = C, Si, Ge, Sn, and X = H, Cl).

International audienceThe molecular structure of trichloroethenylgermane, CH(2)=CH-GeCl(3), has been determined by electron diffraction and supported by quantum chemical calculations on CH(2)=CH-MX(3) (M = C, Si, Ge, Sn and X = H, Cl). An equilibrium syn conformation with C(s) symmetry is obtained both experimentally and theoretically where one of the Ge-Cl bonds eclipses the C=C bond. The barrier of internal rotation about the C-Ge bond is determined to be V(3) = 5.3(7) kJ mol(-1) using a dynamic model to simulate the internal motion. The most important structure parameters (estimated r(e)/A and angle/degree) are: r(C-Ge) = 1.911(5), r(C=C) = 1.345(5), r(Ge-Cl7) = 2.122(2)