The molecular structure of trimethyltantalum dichloride, (CH3)3TaCl2, as determined by gas electron diffraction

The gas electron diffraction data of (CH3)3TaCl2, recorded with a nozzle temperature of about 25°C, show that the coordination geometry of the metal atom is trigonal bipyramidal with the Cl atoms in axial positions. Least-squares refinements based on a molecular model (hydrogen atoms excluded) of D3h symmetry yield the bond distances (ra) TaC = 215.8(5) pm and TaCl = 231.7(3) pm.