IODINE AZIDE - MOLECULAR-STRUCTURE FROM GAS-PHASE ELECTRON-DIFFRACTION

The structure of the free iodine azide molecule was determined by gas- phase electron diffraction. The trans bent geometry determined from th e experiment is in agreement with the prediction of MO calculations an d with the structure of the rest of the halogen azide series. The foll owing parameters (r(g) bond lengths, Angstrom; r(alpha) angles, degree s) characterize the geometry of the iodine azide molecule: (N-N)(mean) 1.204 +/- 0.004, Delta(NN) 0.113 +/- 0.022, I-N 2.120 +/- 0.010, N-N- N 169.6 +/- 3.0, and I-N-N 106.6 +/- 1.1.