Electron diffraction study of gaseous tetrahydrofuran

Abstract

The gas phase molecular structure of tetrahydrofuran has been reinvestigated. Experimental diffraction intensities are well accounted for by a freely pseudo-rotating molecule. The mean value of the pseudo-rotational puckering coordinate was found to be qg = 0[middle dot]38 +/- 0[middle dot]02 A, a value slightly lower than the spectroscopic qo value reported in a far IR study. A definite distinction between free pseudo-rotation and the presence of one or more static puckered conformations could not be made from the electron diffraction intensities. Mean bond lengths and amplitudes of skeletal vibrations were determined and found to be normal.