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Symmetry Lab › D2h › Ethylene (ethene)

C₂H₄ Ethylene (ethene)

Planar · point group D2h · order 8

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Point group
D2h — A C2 principal axis, 2 perpendicular C2 axes and a horizontal mirror plane; these also give 2 vertical planes and a centre of inversion.
Order
8
Operations
E, C₂(z), C₂(y), C₂(x), i, σ(xy), σ(xz), σ(yz)
Shape
Planar
Atoms
6 (C × 2, H × 4)

Symmetry elements of C₂H₄

  • C₂ (x) — along the C=C bond
  • C₂ (y) — in the plane, perpendicular to C=C
  • C₂ (z) — perpendicular to the molecular plane
  • i — centre of inversion
  • σ (xy) — the plane of the molecule
  • σ (xz) — contains the C=C bond, perpendicular to the molecule
  • σ (yz) — bisects the C=C bond

Structure

  • C=C 1.339 Å, C–H 1.087 Å
  • H–C–H 117.4°, H–C=C 121.3°
  • All six atoms in one plane
Ethylene (ethene) (C2H4) — D2h symmetry elements
Ethylene (ethene): symmetry elements of the D2h point group

Other D2h molecules

Open in the 3D lab →  ·  All D2h molecules  ·  All point groups