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Symmetry Lab4AB · ABC Chemistry

Symmetry Lab › D5d › Ferrocene, staggered

Fe(C₅H₅)₂ (staggered) Ferrocene, staggered

Sandwich, staggered rings · point group D5d · order 20

Open Fe(C₅H₅)₂ (staggered) in 3D →

Point group
D5d — A C5 principal axis, 5 perpendicular C2 axes and 5 dihedral mirror planes that bisect them; the principal axis is also an S10 axis.
Order
20
Operations
E, 2C₅, 2C₅², 5C₂, i, 2S₁₀³, 2S₁₀, 5σd
Shape
Sandwich, staggered rings
Atoms
21 (Fe, C × 10, H × 10)

Symmetry elements of Fe(C₅H₅)₂ (staggered)

  • C₅ — through the metal and both ring centres
  • C₂ (1) — through the metal, perpendicular to the ring axis
  • C₂ (2) — through the metal, perpendicular to the ring axis
  • C₂ (3) — through the metal, perpendicular to the ring axis
  • C₂ (4) — through the metal, perpendicular to the ring axis
  • C₂ (5) — through the metal, perpendicular to the ring axis
  • i — centre of inversion
  • S₁₀ — rotate 36°, then reflect
  • σd (1) — contains the axis and one carbon of each ring
  • σd (2) — contains the axis and one carbon of each ring
  • σd (3) — contains the axis and one carbon of each ring
  • σd (4) — contains the axis and one carbon of each ring
  • σd (5) — contains the axis and one carbon of each ring

Structure

  • Fe–C 2.06 Å, C–C 1.43 Å
  • Rings turned 36° against each other
  • Has an inversion centre; the eclipsed form does not
Ferrocene, staggered (Fe(C5H5)2 (staggered)) — D5d symmetry elements
Ferrocene, staggered: symmetry elements of the D5d point group

Open in the 3D lab →  ·  All D5d molecules  ·  All point groups