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Symmetry Lab4AB · ABC Chemistry

Symmetry Lab › D3 › Tris(ethylenediamine)cobalt(III) (N atoms shown)

[Co(en)₃]³⁺ Tris(ethylenediamine)cobalt(III) (N atoms shown)

Twisted octahedron (propeller) · point group D3 · order 6

Open [Co(en)₃]³⁺ in 3D →

Point group
D3 — A C3 principal axis and 3 C2 axes perpendicular to it, with no mirror plane. Molecules in this group are chiral.
Order
6
Operations
E, 2C₃, 3C₂
Shape
Twisted octahedron (propeller)
Atoms
7 (Co, N × 6)

Symmetry elements of [Co(en)₃]³⁺

  • C₃ — through Co, perpendicular to the two N₃ triangles
  • C₂ (1) — through Co and the midpoint of one chelate ring
  • C₂ (2) — through Co and the midpoint of one chelate ring
  • C₂ (3) — through Co and the midpoint of one chelate ring

Structure

  • Co–N 1.97 Å
  • The three chelate rings twist the N₆ octahedron by 5°
  • Chiral: Δ and Λ enantiomers
Tris(ethylenediamine)cobalt(III) (N atoms shown) ([Co(en)3]3+) — D3 symmetry elements
Tris(ethylenediamine)cobalt(III) (N atoms shown): symmetry elements of the D3 point group

Other D3 molecules

[Fe(C₂O₄)₃]³⁻Tris(oxalato)ferrate(III) (O atoms shown)

Open in the 3D lab →  ·  All D3 molecules  ·  All point groups