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Symmetry Lab › C∞v › Cyanide ion

CN⁻ Cyanide ion

Linear · point group C∞v · order ∞

Open CN⁻ in 3D →

Point group
C∞v — A linear molecule without a centre of inversion: a C∞ axis along the bonds and an infinite number of mirror planes containing it.
Order
∞
Operations
E, 2C∞, ∞σᵥ
Shape
Linear
Atoms
2 (C, N)

Symmetry elements of CN⁻

  • 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

Structure

  • C≡N 1.16 Å
  • A diatomic ion
  • Lone pair on C and on N; isoelectronic with CO
Cyanide ion (CN-) — C∞v symmetry elements
Cyanide ion: symmetry elements of the C∞v point group

Other C∞v molecules

COCarbon monoxideHBrHydrogen bromideHClHydrogen chlorideHFHydrogen fluorideIClIodine monochlorideNONitric oxideOCSCarbonyl sulfideClCNCyanogen chlorideHCNHydrogen cyanideN₂ONitrous oxideNCS⁻Thiocyanate ionHC≡CClChloroacetylene

Open in the 3D lab →  ·  All C∞v molecules  ·  All point groups