Molecular structures of dimethylgermyl dibromide and methylgermyl tribromide determined by vapour-phase electron diffraction

The molecular structures of GeBr2Me2 and GeBrMe3 have been determined by vapour-phase electron diffraction. The geometrical parameters based on the rg interatomic distances are as follows: for GeBr2Me2; r(C–H)= 1.12 (assumed), r(Ge–C)= 1.91 ± 0.01, and r(Ge–Br)= 2.303 ± 0.002 A, angle BrGeBr = 104 ± 1, CGeBr = 107 ± 3, CGeC = 124 ± 7, and GeCH = 105 ± 6°; for GeBr3Me; r(C–H)= 1.12 (assumed), r(Ge–C)= 1.89 ± 0.03, and r(Ge–Br)= 2.276 ± 0.002 A, angle BrGeBr = 107.1 ± 0.4, CGeBr = 111.6 ± 0.3, and GeCH = 109.5°. The quoted uncertainties have been estimated to include both systematic and random errors. In neither case could the analysis deterrmine the rotational positions of the methyl groups because the scattering components due to distances involving hydrogen are too weak.