MOLECULAR SYMMETRY
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Symmetry Is All Around Us
In life In Art
In Chemistry
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Symmetry is derived from the Greek word
“symmetria” which means “measured together”.
The symmetry of molecules and solids is a very powerful tool for:-
• determination and description of structures of molecules.
• giving precise description of the molecular geometry and
molecular configuration
• Developing an understanding of bonding and physical
properties
• Predicting the nature of molecular orbitals
• Predicting if electronic and vibration spectroscopic transitions
can be observed 3
Symmetry Operation:
An action which moves the object into a
position indistinguishable from the original
one though not necessarily identical with it.
Symmetry Element:
A geometrical identity such as line, plane or a
point with respect to which one or more
symmetry operations may be carried out.
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Types of Symmetry Elements
Sr.no. Symmetry element symbol Symmetry operation
1 Centre of symmetry/ i Inversion of all atoms through the centre
Inversion Centre
2 Proper axis of rotation Cn One or more rotations by an angle
θ = 2 / n about the axis
3 Plane of symmetry Reflection in the plane
4 Improper axis of Sn One or more rotations by an angle
rotation θ = 2 / n about the axis followed by
reflection in a plane perpendicular to the
rotation axis
5 Identity E No change
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Centre of Symmetry/Inversion Centre (i)
Imaginary point in the centre of the molecule through
which the reflection of an atom in a molecule results in
coincidence with an equivalent atom.
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• If the inversion operation is carried out n times it is
expressed as in.
• For even values of n, the molecule goes back to its
original configuration. in = E where E is identity
element.
• If n is odd in = i.
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Molecules with centre of symmetry
Molecules without centre of symmetry
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Proper Axis of Rotation (Cn)
Imaginary line passing
through the molecule along
which rotation carried out
results into an equivalent
rotation.
Order (n) = 2 /
For H2O molecule
n = 2 x 1800 / 1800 = 2
Cn = C2
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3-Fold Axis of Rotation
n = 2 x 1800 / 1200 = 2 Cn = C3
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Principal and Subsidiary Axis
The axis with highest fold symmetry
The axis with lower fold of symmetry is called Subsidiary Axis.
• BF3 Molecule XeF4 Molecule
• Principal axis C3 Principal axis C4
• Subsidiary axis C2 Subsidiary axis C2 11
Benzene
Principal axis C6
Subsidiary axis C2
C2
Principal axis C
Subsidiary axis C2
H2 Molecule
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Plane of symmetry
• Mirror plane which divide the
molecule into 2 equal parts
• σd => mirror plane bisects
angle formed between two
adjacent C2 axes
• σh => mirror plane
perpendicular to a principal
axis of rotation
• σv => mirror plane containing
principal axis of rotation
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BF3 Molecule
H2O Molecule
C6H6 Molecule
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Plane of Symmetry in XeF4
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Improper axis of rotation (Sn)
• Imaginary axis on which molecule when rotated
and reflected on plane perpendicular to the
rotation axis attains equivalent orientation
Improper Rotation in a Tetrahedral Molecule
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Identity (E)
• No physical change
• Rotation by 3600
• in = E (n = even)
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Thank You!
Dr. Julekha Shaikh 18
