- 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
- Seven fused rings, planar
- Atoms
- 36 (C × 24, H × 12)
Symmetry elements of C₂₄H₁₂
- C₆ — perpendicular to the plane; also C₃, C₂, S₆ and S₃
- C₂′ (1) — through two opposite inner carbons
- C₂′ (2) — through two opposite inner carbons
- C₂′ (3) — through two opposite inner carbons
- C₂″ (1) — through the centres of two opposite outer rings
- C₂″ (2) — through the centres of two opposite outer rings
- C₂″ (3) — through the centres of two opposite outer rings
- i — centre of inversion
- σh — the plane of the molecule
- σᵥ (1) — contains the C₆ axis; through two opposite inner carbons
- σᵥ (2) — contains the C₆ axis; through two opposite inner carbons
- σᵥ (3) — contains the C₆ axis; through two opposite inner carbons
- σd (1) — contains the C₆ axis; through the centres of two opposite outer rings
- σd (2) — contains the C₆ axis; through the centres of two opposite outer rings
- σd (3) — contains the C₆ axis; through the centres of two opposite outer rings
- S₆ — rotate 60°, then reflect in σh
- S₃ — rotate 120°, then reflect in σh
Structure
- C–C 1.36–1.43 Å (one length shown)
- A hexagonal "super-benzene" of 24 carbons
- Twelve equivalent H around the rim
