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Symmetry Lab › D5h › Ruthenocene

Ru(C₅H₅)₂ Ruthenocene

Sandwich, eclipsed rings · point group D5h · order 20

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Point group
D5h — A C5 principal axis, 5 perpendicular C2 axes and a horizontal mirror plane; these also give 5 vertical planes.
Order
20
Operations
E, 2C₅, 2C₅², 5C₂, σh, 2S₅, 2S₅³, 5σᵥ
Shape
Sandwich, eclipsed rings
Atoms
21 (Ru, C × 10, H × 10)

Symmetry elements of Ru(C₅H₅)₂

  • 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
  • σh — through the metal, parallel to the rings
  • S₅ — rotate 72°, then reflect in σh
  • σᵥ (1) — contains the axis and one carbon of each ring
  • σᵥ (2) — contains the axis and one carbon of each ring
  • σᵥ (3) — contains the axis and one carbon of each ring
  • σᵥ (4) — contains the axis and one carbon of each ring
  • σᵥ (5) — contains the axis and one carbon of each ring

Structure

  • Ru–C 2.19 Å, C–C 1.43 Å
  • Eclipsed rings, like gas-phase ferrocene
  • The heavier congener of ferrocene
Ruthenocene (Ru(C5H5)2) — D5h symmetry elements
Ruthenocene: symmetry elements of the D5h point group

Other D5h molecules

Open in the 3D lab →  ·  All D5h molecules  ·  All point groups