Frequently Asked Question

Questions asked by users might not always be phrased in the clearest way.

If it is square planar, it will be written a2 or A2g

Accepted Answer

The subscripts g and u in the character table denote gerade and ungerade, i.e. symmetric and antisymmetric with respect to inversion. These symmetry labels apply to vibrational modes and orbitals (but not to electronic states). In a square planar molecule, the x and y axes form one irreducible representation (E) and the z-axis forms another irreducible representation (A1). Therefore, orbitals that are symmetric with respect to the xy plane will have the symmetry label A1g, while orbitals that are antisymmetric with respect to the xy plane will have the symmetry label A1u.


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