Group Theory Solutions: #44.* (1996 1 2) List all the symmetry elements of Ru(bipy)32+ (shown below). What is its point group? Does it have a dipole moment? Is it chiral? Symmetry elements:
Ru(bipy)32+ belongs to the D3 point group, making it a chiral molecule. As a double check, we can see that Ru(bipy)32+ does not have, symmetry planes an inversion center, or improper rotation axes whatsoever. Ru(bipy)32+ is not polar because all of its dipole moment vectors cancel out. Look at any individual vector to see this. The one going from Ru up to the top N is cancelled by the one going from Ru down to the bottom N, etc.
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