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Symmetry Lab4AB · ABC Chemistry

Symmetry Lab › C3v › Phosphorus trifluoride

PF₃ Phosphorus trifluoride

Trigonal pyramidal · point group C3v · order 6

Open PF₃ in 3D →

Point group
C3v — A C3 rotation axis and 3 vertical mirror planes that contain it.
Order
6
Operations
E, 2C₃, 3σᵥ
Shape
Trigonal pyramidal
Atoms
4 (P, F × 3)

Symmetry elements of PF₃

  • C₃ — through P, perpendicular to the F₃ plane
  • σᵥ (1) — contains the C₃ axis and one P–F bond
  • σᵥ (2) — contains the C₃ axis and one P–F bond
  • σᵥ (3) — contains the C₃ axis and one P–F bond

Structure

  • P–F 1.570 Å
  • F–P–F 97.8°
  • One lone pair on P; a good π-acceptor ligand
Phosphorus trifluoride (PF3) — C3v symmetry elements
Phosphorus trifluoride: symmetry elements of the C3v point group

Other C3v molecules

NH₃AmmoniaAsH₃ArsineBrO₃⁻Bromate ionClO₃⁻Chlorate ionIO₃⁻Iodate ionNCl₃Nitrogen trichlorideNF₃Nitrogen trifluoridePH₃PhosphinePCl₃Phosphorus trichlorideSO₃²⁻Sulfite ionXeO₃Xenon trioxideCH₃CCl₃1,1,1-Trichloroethane

Open in the 3D lab →  ·  All C3v molecules  ·  All point groups