Polyhedral symbol

The polyhedral symbol is sometimes used in coordination chemistry to indicate the approximate geometry of the coordinating atoms around the central atom. One or more italicised letters indicate the geometry, e.g. TP-3 which is followed by a number that gives the coordination number of the central atom. The polyhedral symbol can be used in naming of compounds, in which case it is followed by the configuration index.

Polyhedral symbols

Polyhedral Symbols

	description
L-2	linear - 2 coordinate	Linear (chemistry)
A-2	bent - 2 coordinate	Bent (chemistry)
TP-3	trigonal planar – 3 coordinate	Trigonal planar
TPY-3	trigonal pyramidal- 3 coordinate	Trigonal pyramid (chemistry)
TS-3	T-shaped- 3 coordinate	T-shaped (chemistry)
T-4	tetrahedral geometry – 4 coordinate	Tetrahedral molecular geometry
SP-4	square planar – 4 coordinate	Square planar
SPY-4	square pyramidal– 4 coordinate
SS-4	see-saw– 4 coordinate	Seesaw (chemistry)
TBPY-5	trigonal bipyramidal- 5 coordinate	Trigonal bipyramidal molecular geometry
SPY-5	square pyramidal – 5 coordinate	Square pyramidal molecular geometry
OC-6	octahedral geometry – 6 coordinate	Octahedral molecular geometry
TPR-6	trigonal prismatic -6 coordinate	Trigonal prismatic molecular geometry
PBPY-7	pentagonal bipyramid- 7 coordinate	Pentagonal bipyramid molecular geometry
OCF-7	face capped octahedron- 7 coordinate	Capped octahedral molecular geometry
TPRS-7	trigonal prism, square face monocapped	Capped trigonal prismatic molecular geometry
CU-8	cubic -8 coordinate
SAPR-8	square anti prism	Square antiprismatic molecular geometry
DD-8	dodecahedral	Dodecahedral molecular geometry
HBPY-8	hexagonal bipyramid
OCT-8	octahedron, trans-bicapped
TPRT-8	trigonal prism, triangular face bicapped
TPRS-8	trigonal prism, square face bicapped	Bicapped trigonal prismatic molecular geometry
TPRS-9	trigonal prism, square face tricapped	Tricapped trigonal prismatic molecular geometry
HBPY-9	heptagonal bipyramid

Configuration index

The first step in determining the configuration index is to assign a priority number to each coordinating ligand according to the Cahn-Ingold-Prelog priority rules, (CIP rules). The preferred ligand takes the lowest priority number. For example, of the ligands acetonitrile, chloride ion and pyridine thepriority number assigned are chloride, 1; acetonitrile,2; pyridene,3. Each coordination type has a different procedure for specifying the configuration index and these are outlined in below.

T-shaped (TS-3)

The configuration index is a single digit which is defined as the priority number of the ligand on the stem of the "T".

Seesaw (SS- 4)

The configuration index has two digits which are the priority numbers of the ligands separated by the largest angle. The lowest priority number of the pair is quoted first.

Square planar (SP-4)

The configuration index is a single digit which is the priority number of the ligand trans to the highest priority ligand. (If there are two possibilities the principle of trans difference is applied). As an example, (acetonitrile)dichlorido(pyridine)platinum(II) complex where the Cl ligands may be trans or cis to one another.
The ligand priority numbers are, applying the CIP rules:

• two chlorides of priority number 1
• acetonitrile priority 2
• pyridine priority 3

In the trans case the configuration index is 1 giving the name(SP-4-1)-(acetonitrile)dichlorido(pyridine)platinum(II).
In the cis case both of the organic ligands are trans to a chloride so to choose the trans difference is considered and the greater is between 1 and three therefore the name is (SP-4-3)-(acetonitrile)dichlorido(pyridine)platinum(II).

Octahedral (OC-6)

The configuration index has two digits. The first digit is the priority number of the ligand trans to the highest priority ligand. This pair is then used to define the reference axis of the octahedron. The second digit is the priority number of the ligand trans to the highest priority ligand in the plane perpendicular to the reference axis.

Square pyramidal (SPY-4)

The configuration index is a single digit which is the priority number of the ligand trans to the ligand of lowest priority in the plane perpendicular to the 4 fold axis. (If there is more than one choice then the highest numerical value second digit is taken.) NB this procedure gives the same result as SP-4, however in this case the polyhedral symbol specifies that the complex is non-planar.

Square pyramidal (SPY-5)

There are two digits. The first digit is the priority number of the ligand on the fourfold (C₄) axis of the idealised pyramid the second digit is the priority number of the ligand trans to ligand of lowest priority in the plane perpendicular to the 4 fold axis. (If there is more than one choice then the highest numerical value second digit is taken.)

Trigonal bipyramidal (TBPY-5)

The configuration index consists of two digits which are the priority numbers of the ligands on the threefold rotation axis. The lowest numerical value is cited first.

Other bipyramidal structures (PBPY-7, HBPY-8 and HBPY-9)

The configuration index consists of two segments separated by a hyphen. The first segment consists of two digits which are the priority numbers of the ligands on the five, six or sevenfold rotation axis. The lowest numerical value is cited first.

The second segment consists of 5, 6 or 7 digits respectively. The lowest priority number is the first digit followed by the digits of the other atoms in the plane. The clockwise and anticlockwise sequences are compared and the one that yields the lowest numerical sequence is chosen.