The structures of 1-chlorogermatrane and of 1-fluorogermatrane, revisited

The crystal structures of 1-fluorogermatrane (P21) and of the 1:3 acetonitrile adduct of 1-chlorogermatrane (P63) have been determined by X-ray diffraction. A previously reported very short transannular GeN contact of 201.1(9) pm in 1-fluorogermatrane is corrected to 210.4(2) pm which complies well with the value of 209.6(3) pm found for the chloro analog. The structural parameters of both germatrane molecules are consistent with C3 symmetry. No indication was found for an unusually flexible cage or for an impact of the crystal packing on the GeN linkage.