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Symmetry Lab4AB · ABC Chemistry

Symmetry Lab › D4d › Octachlorodiosmate(III) ion

[Os₂Cl₈]²⁻ Octachlorodiosmate(III) ion

Two staggered OsCl₄ squares · point group D4d · order 16

Open [Os₂Cl₈]²⁻ in 3D →

Point group
D4d — A C4 principal axis, 4 perpendicular C2 axes and 4 dihedral mirror planes that bisect them; the principal axis is also an S8 axis.
Order
16
Operations
E, 2S₈, 2C₄, 2S₈³, C₂, 4C₂′, 4σd
Shape
Two staggered OsCl₄ squares
Atoms
10 (Os × 2, Cl × 8)

Symmetry elements of [Os₂Cl₈]²⁻

  • C₄ — along the Os–Os bond; also the S₈ axis
  • C₂′ (1) — perpendicular to Os–Os, between a Cl above and a Cl below
  • C₂′ (2) — perpendicular to Os–Os, between a Cl above and a Cl below
  • C₂′ (3) — perpendicular to Os–Os, between a Cl above and a Cl below
  • C₂′ (4) — perpendicular to Os–Os, between a Cl above and a Cl below
  • S₈ — rotate 45°, then reflect: maps the upper OsCl₄ onto the lower
  • σd (1) — contains Os–Os and one Cl of each end
  • σd (2) — contains Os–Os and one Cl of each end
  • σd (3) — contains Os–Os and one Cl of each end
  • σd (4) — contains Os–Os and one Cl of each end

Structure

  • Os–Os 2.22 Å (triple bond), Os–Cl 2.30 Å
  • The two OsCl₄ units are staggered by 45°
  • Contrast [Re₂Cl₈]²⁻: eclipsed, D4h, quadruple bond
Octachlorodiosmate(III) ion ([Os2Cl8]2-) — D4d symmetry elements
Octachlorodiosmate(III) ion: symmetry elements of the D4d point group

Other D4d molecules

S₈Cyclo-octasulfur (crown)[W(CN)₈]²⁻Octacyanotungstate(IV) ion

Open in the 3D lab →  ·  All D4d molecules  ·  All point groups