Molecular Symmetry and Group Theory

Workshop 6 — Molecular Vibrations


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  • Exercise 3

    The complex Mo(CO)3[P(OMe)3]3 has octahedral coordination geometry and can adopt two isomeric forms as shown (for convenience only the P atoms of the P(OMe)3 groups are indicated).

    What are the point groups of these two isomeric structures?
    Isomer Point Group
    Meridonal
    Facial

    A sample of the complex was synthesized and its IR spectrum was found to include vibrations at 1900, 1925 and 2000 cm-1.

    Use group theory to predict the number of IR and Raman active CO stretching vibrations you would expect to observe for both isomers and hence deduce the stereochemistry of the actual product.

    Meridonal Isomer (Mer) — C2v

    1. Using arrows along each Mo—CO bond as a basis, obtain a representation.

      C2v E C2 σ σ′
      Γ


      Click for larger image
    2. Reduce the representation

      C2v E C2 σ σ′
      Order =
       
      Γ    
      A1 1 1 1 1
      A2 1 1 -1 -1
      B1 1 -1 1 -1
      B2 1 -1 -1 1
      N×χR×χI(A1)
      Σ(N×χR×χI(A1)) =
      Σ(N×χR×χI(A1))/Order =
      N×χR×χI(A2)
      Σ(N×χR×χI(A2)) =
      Σ(N×χR×χI(A2))/Order =
      N×χR×χI(B1)
      Σ(N×χR×χI(B1)) =
      Σ(N×χR×χI(B1))/Order =
      N×χR×χI(B2)
      Σ(N×χR×χI(B2)) =
      Σ(N×χR×χI(B2))/Order =

      Therefore, the composition of Γ is:
      Γ = A1 + A2 + B1 + B2

    3. The vibrational modes can be assessed to determine whether they are IR and/or Raman active.

      C2v E C2 σv(xz) σv′(yz)    
      A1 1 1 1 1 z x2,y2,z2
      A2 1 1 -1 -1 Rz xy
      B1 1 -1 1 -1 x,Ry xz
      B2 1 -1 -1 1 y,Rx yz

      Spectroscopy Active Modes Number of Bands  
      IR
      Raman

      Comments:

    Facial Isomer (Fac) — C3v

    1. Using arrows along each Mo—CO bond as a basis, obtain a representation.

      C3v E 2C3 v
      Γ


      Click for larger image
    2. Reduce the representation

      C3v E 2C3 v
      Order =
       
      Γ    
      A1 1 1 1
      A2 1 1 -1
      E 2 -1 0
      N×χR×χI(A1)
      Σ(N×χR×χI(A1)) =
      Σ(N×χR×χI(A1))/Order =
      N×χR×χI(A2)
      Σ(N×χR×χI(A2)) =
      Σ(N×χR×χI(A2))/Order =
      N×χR×χI(E)
      Σ(N×χR×χI(E)) =
      Σ(N×χR×χI(E))/Order =

      Therefore, the composition of Γ is:
      Γ = A1 + A2 + E

    3. The vibrational modes can be assessed to determine whether they are IR and/or Raman active.

      C3v E 2C3 v    
      A1 1 1 1 z x2+y2,z2
      A2 1 1 -1 Rz  
      E 2 -1 0 (x,y),(Rx,Ry) (x2-y2,xy),(xz,yz)

      Spectroscopy Active Modes Number of Bands  
      IR
      Raman

      Comments:

    Therefore the isomer prepared was the one with the point group

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