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Symmetry Lab4AB · ABC Chemistry

Symmetry Lab › C2v › Formaldehyde (methanal)

CH₂O Formaldehyde (methanal)

Trigonal planar · point group C2v · order 4

Open CH₂O in 3D →

Point group
C2v — A C2 rotation axis and 2 vertical mirror planes that contain it.
Order
4
Operations
E, C₂, σᵥ(xz), σᵥ′(yz)
Shape
Trigonal planar
Atoms
4 (C, O, H × 2)

Symmetry elements of CH₂O

  • C₂ — along the C=O bond
  • σᵥ (xz) — the plane of the molecule
  • σᵥ′ (yz) — perpendicular to the molecule, along C=O

Structure

  • C=O 1.205 Å, C–H 1.111 Å
  • H–C–H 116.2°
  • Two lone pairs on O
Formaldehyde (methanal) (CH2O) — C2v symmetry elements
Formaldehyde (methanal): symmetry elements of the C2v point group

Other C2v molecules

ClO₂Chlorine dioxideClO₂⁻Chlorite ionH₂SHydrogen sulfideNO₂⁻Nitrite ionNO₂Nitrogen dioxideOF₂Oxygen difluorideO₃OzoneSF₂Sulfur difluorideSO₂Sulfur dioxideH₂OWaterXeO₂Xenon dioxide (as an isolated molecule)BrF₃Bromine trifluoride

Open in the 3D lab →  ·  All C2v molecules  ·  All point groups