Skip to content

Symmetry Lab › D∞h › Magnesium chloride (gas-phase molecule)

MgCl₂ Magnesium chloride (gas-phase molecule)

Linear · point group D∞h · order ∞

Open MgCl₂ in 3D →

Point group
D∞h — A linear molecule with a centre of inversion: the C∞ axis, the planes containing it, a perpendicular mirror plane and an infinite number of perpendicular C2 axes.
Order
∞
Operations
E, 2C∞, ∞σᵥ, i, 2S∞, ∞C₂
Shape
Linear
Atoms
3 (Mg, Cl × 2)

Symmetry elements of MgCl₂

  • C∞ — the molecular axis: any rotation leaves the molecule unchanged
  • i — centre of inversion
  • σh — perpendicular to the axis, through Mg
  • C₂ (one of ∞) — any line through Mg perpendicular to the axis
  • C₂ (another) — any line through Mg perpendicular to the axis
  • σᵥ (one of ∞) — any plane containing the axis
  • σᵥ (another) — any plane containing the axis

Structure

  • Mg–Cl 2.18 Å
  • Cl–Mg–Cl 180°
  • No lone pair on Mg
Magnesium chloride (gas-phase molecule) (MgCl2) — D∞h symmetry elements
Magnesium chloride (gas-phase molecule): symmetry elements of the D∞h point group

Other D∞h molecules

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