Skip to content

Symmetry Lab4AB · ABC Chemistry

Symmetry Lab › D_∞h › Carbon dioxide

CO₂ Carbon dioxide

Linear · point group D_∞h · order ∞

Open CO₂ in 3D →

Point group: D_∞h — A linear molecule with a centre of inversion: the C_∞ axis, the planes containing it, a perpendicular mirror plane and an infinite number of perpendicular C₂ axes.
Order: ∞
Operations: E, 2C∞, ∞σᵥ, i, 2S∞, ∞C₂
Shape: Linear
Atoms: 3 (C, O × 2)

Symmetry elements of CO₂

C∞ — the molecular axis: any rotation leaves the molecule unchanged
σᵥ (one of ∞) — any plane containing the axis
σᵥ (another) — any plane containing the axis
i — centre of inversion
σh — perpendicular to the axis, through the centre
C₂ (one of ∞) — any line through the centre perpendicular to the axis
C₂ (another) — same, at right angles
S∞ — any rotation about the axis, then reflect in σh

Structure

C=O 1.160 Å
O=C=O 180°
No lone pair on C

Carbon dioxide (CO2) — D∞h symmetry elements — Carbon dioxide: symmetry elements of the D_∞h point group

Other D_∞h molecules

Br₂Dibromine Cl₂Dichlorine N₂Dinitrogen O₂Dioxygen N₃⁻Azide ion BeCl₂Beryllium chloride (gas-phase molecule)CS₂Carbon disulfide MgCl₂Magnesium chloride (gas-phase molecule)HgCl₂Mercury(II) chloride I₃⁻Triiodide ion XeF₂Xenon difluoride C₂H₂Acetylene (ethyne)

Open in the 3D lab → · All D_∞h molecules · All point groups