The chromium–heavy group 5 donor bond: a comparison of structural changes within the series [Cr(CO)5(XPh3)](X = P, As, Sb, or Bi)via their X-ray crystal structures

Abstract

Accurate X-ray data for [Cr(CO)₅(XPh₃)](X = As, Sb, or Bi) when compared with data for [Cr(CO)₅PPh₃] show significant variations in C–X–C and Cr–X–C bond angles as well as in Cr–X distances consistent with increasing s-orbital participation in Cr–X bonding down the series X = P ⩽ X = As < X = Sb < X = Bi.