The Molecular Structure of Trimethyl(methylene)phosphorane in the Gas Phase, Determined by Electron Diffraction

The molecular structure of trimethyl(methylene)phosphorane, (CH3)3PCH2, in the gas phase has been determined by electron diffraction. Principal distances are ra(PC)181.5(3), ra(PC)164.0(6) pm; and the angles between the PC(methyl) bonds are 101.6(5)°. These parameters lead to a value for the order of the highly polar PC(methylene) bond of about 2.0.