Symmetry Lab › D2d › Diboron tetrachloride (gas phase)
B₂Cl₄ Diboron tetrachloride (gas phase)
Two perpendicular BCl₂ planes · point group D2d · order 8
- Point group
- D2d — A C2 principal axis, 2 perpendicular C2 axes and 2 dihedral mirror planes that bisect them; the principal axis is also an S4 axis.
- Order
- 8
- Operations
- E, 2S₄, C₂, 2C₂′, 2σd
- Shape
- Two perpendicular BCl₂ planes
- Atoms
- 6 (B × 2, Cl × 4)
Symmetry elements of B₂Cl₄
- C₂ — along the B–B bond
- S₄ — rotate 90° about B–B, then reflect
- C₂′ (1) — perpendicular to B–B, between the two BCl₂ planes
- C₂′ (2) — perpendicular to B–B, between the two BCl₂ planes
- σd (1) — the plane of one BCl₂
- σd (2) — the plane of the other BCl₂
Structure
- B–B 1.70 Å, B–Cl 1.75 Å
- Cl–B–Cl 120°
- Staggered in the gas; planar (D2h) in the crystal
