The crystal and molecular structure of 1,2,3-triphenyl-1,2,3-triphosphaindane
Abstract
Crystals of 1,2,3-triphenyl-1,2,3-triphosphaindane are orthorhombic, space group Pmn21 with a = 10·472, b = 8·273, c = 11·907 Å. The molecule possesses m(Cs) symmetry. The phenyl group in the 2-position is trans to those in the 1- and 3-positions and also lies in the molecular mirror plane. The bicyclic phosphaindane nucleus, which contains a new type of five-membered ring, is roughly planar. An apparent attraction between the lone pair on the phosphorus atom and a hydrogen atom from a neighbouring phenyl group is described.