Shriver & Atkins, Inorganic Chemistry, 4th edition

Exercise 7.3

Determine the symmetry elements and assign the point group of (a) NH2Cl, (b) CO32–, (c) SiF4, (d) HCN, (e) SiFClBrI, (f) BF4–.

 

Answer

Use VSEPR to find the structure and then assign the point group and identify the symmetry elements.

(a) NH2Cl

Point group = Cs

Symmetry elements: E,

 

(b) CO32–

Point group = D3h

Symmetry elements: E, C3, C2, h, v, S3

 

(c) SiF4

Point group = Td

Symmetry elements: E, C3, C2, d, S4

 

(d) HCN

Point group = Cv

Symmetry elements: E, C, v

 

(e) SiFClBrI

Point group = C1

Symmetry elements: E

 

(f) BF4–

Point group = Td

Symmetry elements: E, C3, C2, d, S4