Molecular structures of molybdenum tetra- and pentafluorides

The molecular structures of the MoF4 and MoF5 molecules have been investigated by synchronous gas phase electron diffraction/mass spectrometry. The equilibrium structure of MoF4 is tetrahedral. The molecule MoF5 hasC2v symmetry due to the Jahn–Teller effect. Intrinsic periodicity of the M–X bond distance in the MX4 halides along the series of d-elements is discussed.