Figure 3. Mechanism for Interchanging Apical and Equatorial Atoms in Square Pyramidal Molecules: IF5

A: Calculated Ground State Structure for IF5
Viewing tools:


Impose a red/orange/blue color scheme to follow the atoms undergoing exchange:
Begin and stay equatorial red
Begin equatorial and become apical orange
Begin apical and become equatorial blue
 		Calculated Transition State
Viewing Tools:

Tools to view the Chimeric Pseudorotation
  1. Turn
  2. Displacement

  3. Compare to A
  4. View one Cycle of the Vibration:

    Compare final point (b) to B
  5. Turn then select:
    • Turnstile-like Character
    • Lever-like Character
    • Berry-like Character
B: Calculated Ground State Structure for IF5
Viewing tools:


Impose a red/orange/blue color scheme to follow the atoms undergoing exchange:
Begin and stay equatorial red
Begin equatorial and become apical orange
Begin apical and become equatorial blue