A new synthesis and the molecular structure of trimethyl(silylmethylene)phosphorane in the gas phase, determined by electron diffraction

E. A.V. Ebsworth, David W.H. Rankin, Beate Zimmer‐Gasser, Hubert Schmidbaur

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Abstract

Trimethyl(silylmethylene)phosphorane (1) has been prepared in a reaction of H3SiCH2CH2Cl and (CH3)3PCH2 in a molar ratio 1:2. C2H4 is evolved in a β‐elimination process, followed by formation of [(CH3)4P]+Cl in a transylidation step. — The molecular structure of (CH3)3PCHSiH3 in the gas phase has been determined by electron diffraction. Principal bond lengths (ra) are: PC = 180.7(8), P = C = 165.3(11), SiC = 185.2(20) pm. The angles between the PC(methyl) bonds are 103.4(13)° and the SiCP angle is 123.4(8)°, consistent with a planar configuration of the methylene carbon atom. The molecule adopts a conformation in which the SiC bond is twisted 25° from a position in which it eclipses one PC bond, but there is a large amplitude torsional vibration about the PC bond.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1637-1645
Number of pages9
JournalChemische Berichte
Volume113
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 1980
Externally publishedYes

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