Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Microfluidic-based Synthesis of Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs): A Tool for Continuous Production of COF Fibers and Direct Printing on a Surface
Published on: July 10, 2017
Synthesis and structural characterization of C(OTeF5)4 and a comparative structural study of the isoelectronic
Matthew D Moran1, Hélène P A Mercier, Gary J Schrobilgen
1Department of Chemistry, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4M1, Canada.
Abstract:
Tetrakis(pentafluoroorthotellurate)carbon(IV), C(OTeF5)4, was synthesized by reaction of CBr4 with BrOTeF5 in SO2ClF solution at -78 degrees C and was isolated as a colorless, crystalline solid that is room-temperature stable in SO2ClF and in the solid state. Both natural abundance and 99% 13C-enriched C(OTeF5)4 have been characterized in SO2ClF solution by 13C, 19F, and 125Te NMR spectroscopy. In contrast, C(OTeF5)4 undergoes rapid decomposition to O(TeF5)2 and CO2 in CH3CN at 10 degrees C but is stable at -40 degrees C. The X-ray crystal structures of C(OTeF5)4 and [N(CH3)4][B(OTeF5)4] were determined at -30 and -170 degrees C, respectively. The averages of four smaller C/B-O-Te bond angles and O...O contacts and two larger C/B-O-Te bond angles and O...O contacts of C(OTeF5)4 and the isoelectronic B(OTeF5)4- anion are consistent with local S4 symmetry, as predicted by ligand close packing considerations. The existence of three sets of Te-O-C/B-O torsion angles and the energy-minimized geometries of C(OTeF5)4 and B(OTeF5)4- also confirm their local S4 symmetries. The low-temperature, solid-state Raman spectra of 12/13C(OTeF5)4 and B(OTeF5)4- were assigned and compared. The energy-minimized geometries, vibrational frequencies, natural charges, and natural bond orders of both species have been calculated using density functional theory methods. The calculated geometries are in accord with the S4 symmetries assigned for the experimental structures.
Related Concept Videos
Predicting Molecular Geometry
Lewis Structures of Molecular Compounds and Polyatomic Ions
Crystal Field Theory - Octahedral Complexes
To explain the observed behavior of transition metal complexes (such as colors), a model involving electrostatic interactions between the electrons from the ligands and the electrons in the unhybridized d orbitals of the central metal atom has been developed. This electrostatic model is crystal field theory (CFT). It helps to understand, interpret, and predict the colors, magnetic behavior, and some structures of coordination compounds of transition metals.
CFT focuses on...
Crystal Field Theory - Tetrahedral and Square Planar Complexes
Crystal field theory (CFT) is applicable to molecules in geometries other than octahedral. In octahedral complexes, the lobes of the dx2−y2 and dz2 orbitals point directly at the ligands. For tetrahedral complexes, the d orbitals remain in place, but with only four ligands located between the axes. None of the orbitals points directly at the tetrahedral ligands. However, the dx2−y2 and dz2 orbitals (along the Cartesian axes) overlap with the ligands less than the dxy,...
Aromatic Hydrocarbon Cations: Structural Overview
Removing one hydrogen from the intervening CH2 group with both...
Structural Isomerism
Isomers are different chemical species that have the same chemical formula. Structural isomerism of coordination compounds can be divided into two subcategories, the linkage isomers and coordination-sphere isomers.
Linkage isomers occur when the coordination compound contains a ligand that can bind to the transition metal center through two different atoms. For example, the CN− ligand can bind through the carbon atom or through the nitrogen atom. Similarly, SCN− can be...

