Electron diffraction study of the molecular structure of trifluoromethyl hypofluorite

Abstract

The following structural parameters and estimated standard deviations were found for trifluoromethyl hypofluorite: rg(C-F) = 1.319 +/- 0.003 A, rg(C-O) = 1.395 +/- 0.006 A, rg(O-F) = 1.421 +/- 0.006 A, [angle-measured](F-C-F) = 109.4 +/- 1[deg]. [angle-measured](C-O-F) = 104.8 +/- O.6[deg], assuming a C3v symmetry for the CF3 group, and a staggered conformation. Diffracted intensities indicate a bending of 4.1 +/- O.8[deg] of the C-O bond from the three-fold axis of the trifluoromethyl group and a torsional oscillation about the C-O bond corresponding to a potential barrier of 2.5 +/- O.5 kcal/mole.