- Point group
- D6h — A C6 principal axis, 6 perpendicular C2 axes and a horizontal mirror plane; these also give 6 vertical planes and a centre of inversion.
- Order
- 24
- Operations
- E, 2C₆, 2C₃, C₂, 3C₂′, 3C₂″, i, 2S₃, 2S₆, σh, 3σd, 3σᵥ
- Shape
- Planar hexagonal ring
- Atoms
- 12 (C × 6, H × 6)
Symmetry elements of C₆H₆
- C₆ — perpendicular to the ring; also C₃, C₂, S₆ and S₃
- C₂′ (1) — in the plane, through two opposite C–H bonds
- C₂′ (2) — in the plane, through two opposite C–H bonds
- C₂′ (3) — in the plane, through two opposite C–H bonds
- C₂″ (1) — in the plane, through the midpoints of two opposite C–C bonds
- C₂″ (2) — in the plane, through the midpoints of two opposite C–C bonds
- C₂″ (3) — in the plane, through the midpoints of two opposite C–C bonds
- i — centre of inversion
- σh — the plane of the ring
- σᵥ (1) — contains the C₆ axis and two opposite C–H bonds
- σᵥ (2) — contains the C₆ axis and two opposite C–H bonds
- σᵥ (3) — contains the C₆ axis and two opposite C–H bonds
- σd (1) — contains the C₆ axis, bisecting two opposite C–C bonds
- σd (2) — contains the C₆ axis, bisecting two opposite C–C bonds
- σd (3) — contains the C₆ axis, bisecting two opposite C–C bonds
- S₆ — rotate 60°, then reflect in σh
- S₃ — rotate 120°, then reflect in σh
Structure
- C–C 1.397 Å (all equal), C–H 1.084 Å
- All angles 120°
- Delocalised π system above and below the ring
