Ammonia Trimer

The three N-H bonds involved in hydrogen-bonding form a perfect triangle. There also exist non-cyclic or "open" structures of ammonia trimer but they are slightly less stable. Finally, note that three amines (R instead of H) also could form such a trimer as long as there is at least one H-atom connected to the amine-N (primary and secondary amines, not tertiary amines).


Figure. The MP2(full)/6-31G* optimized structure of ammonia trimer.