Molecular structure of CH(GeBr3)3 determined by gas electron diffraction and ab initio calculations: steric congestion in tri- and tetra-germylmethanes ☆

Abstract The molecular structure of CH(GeBr 3 ) 3 has been determined by gas electron diffraction (GED) and ab initio calculation at the HF/6-31G ∗ level. The calculations indicate that the equilibrium structure has C 3 symmetry. The most important bond distances are (GED/HF-MO); Ge–C=199.5(10)/193.6 pm, Ge–Br (mean)=228.1(2)/228.0 pm, and valence angles 3 groups are rotated 31.8(6)/22.4° away from the staggered orientation.