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Symmetry Lab › Td › Sulfate ion

SO₄²⁻ Sulfate ion

Tetrahedral · point group Td · order 24

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Point group
Td — The full symmetry of a regular tetrahedron: four C3 axes, three C2 axes (each also an S4 axis) and six dihedral mirror planes. There is no centre of inversion.
Order
24
Operations
E, 8C₃, 3C₂, 6S₄, 6σd
Shape
Tetrahedral
Atoms
5 (S, O × 4)

Symmetry elements of SO₄²⁻

  • C₃ (1) — along one S–O bond
  • C₃ (2) — along one S–O bond
  • C₃ (3) — along one S–O bond
  • C₃ (4) — along one S–O bond
  • C₂ (x) — bisects two bond angles; also an S₄ axis
  • C₂ (y) — bisects two bond angles; also an S₄ axis
  • C₂ (z) — bisects two bond angles; also an S₄ axis
  • S₄ (x) — rotate 90°, then reflect
  • S₄ (y) — rotate 90°, then reflect
  • S₄ (z) — rotate 90°, then reflect
  • σd (1) — contains S and two ligands
  • σd (2) — contains S and two ligands
  • σd (3) — contains S and two ligands
  • σd (4) — contains S and two ligands
  • σd (5) — contains S and two ligands
  • σd (6) — contains S and two ligands

Structure

  • S–O 1.490 Å (all equal)
  • O–S–O 109.5°
  • Charge −2
Sulfate ion (SO42-) — Td symmetry elements
Sulfate ion: symmetry elements of the Td point group

Other Td molecules

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