The stereochemistry of some organic derivatives of Group VB elements. Part II. The crystal and molecular structure of triphenylbismuth dichloride

Abstract

The crystal structure of triphenylbismuth dichloride has been elucidated from three-dimensional X-ray photographic data. The crystals are orthorhombic, space group P2₁2₁2₁ with eight molecules of C₁₈H₁₅BiCl₂ in a unit cell of dimensions, a= 9·18, b= 17·11, c= 22·30 Å. The structure was solved by the heavy-atom method, and has been refined by least-squares methods to a final residual R of 0·077, for 1247 independent reflexions. There are two crystallographically independent molecules in the asymmetric unit but both adopt the same configuration, a trigonal bipyramid with the chlorine atoms in the apical positions. Although their conformations are similar, the two molecules as a whole possess no symmetry because of the asymmetric orientations of the benzene rings.