Molecular structure of bis(difluorophosphino)germylamine in the gas phase, determined by electron diffraction

Abstract

The molecular structure of N(GeH₃)(PF₂)₂ in the gas phase has been determined by electron diffraction. The NGeP₂ skeleton is planar, and the Ge–N bond is substantially longer than those found in N(GeH₃)₃. Principal geometric parameters (r_a) are: r(P–F) 159.2(5), r(P–N) 169.8(8), and r(Ge–N) 188.9(13) pm; angle FPF 96.5(11), FPN 99.6(5), and PNP 114.0(8)°. The conformation adopted by the PF₂ groups is one in which the axes of the nitrogen and phosphorus lone pairs are almost orthogonal, while those of the two phosphorus atoms lie approximately cis to each other in the skeletal plane.