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Symmetry
Relationship between parts of an object with respect to size,
shape and position.
e.g In nature:
Symmetry Element:
Symmetry Operator:
dimensional object.
A symmetry operation moves an object into an indistinguishable
orientation .
Symmetry operators are like other mathematical operators (x, ,
+, log, cos, sin, etc..)
Symbol
E
C
i
S
Identity, E
n = (2/)0; n = ; Cn = C
principal axis
(highest value of Cn)
C3
C3
C2
C2
three-fold axis
viewed from
above
three-fold axis
two-fold axis
viewed from
viewed from
the side
the side
Note: there are 3 C2 axes
two-fold axis
viewed from
above
Plane of Reflection ()
H1
yz
H2
xz
If the plane is along the principal axis then it is called vertical plane (v)
If the plane bisects the angle subtended between two similar consecutive
C2-axis
v
mirror plane
C3
principal axis
v mirror plane
contains the C3 axis
h
mirror plane
C3
principal axis
h mirror plane
is at right angles to the C3 axis
C6
principal axis
C6
C2
C2
C2
C2
v
C6
principal axis
C6
principal axis
Inversion (i)
All the points in the molecule are reflected through a single point.
The point is the symmetry element for inversion. The position of the (x,y,z)
coordinate changes to thecorresponding ve coordinate (-x,-y,-z).
center of symmetry
center of symmetry
Types of matrices:
Rectangular Matrix
Column Matrix
Row matrix
Zero null matrix
Square matrix
Diagonal Matrix
Scalar Matrix
Unit or Identity Matrix
Equal Matrices:
E or Identity Matrix:
E(x1 ,y1 ,z1) = (x1 ,y1 ,z1)
Matrix:
Matrix:
Cn Matrix:
Sn Matrix:
Sn Matrix:
C2
xy
Definition of a group
Similar vertical (v) and similar dihedral planes (d) are in a class.
Horizontal plane (h) is a special plane and is always placed in a
different class from other planes.
molecule unchanged.
Groups with very high symmetry:
1. Icosahedral, Ih
2. Octahedral, Oh
3. Tetrahedral, Td
Groups with low symmetry:
1. C1 molecules with only the E element
2. Cs molecules with E and a single plane of symmetry ().
3. Ci molecules with only E and a center of inversion, i.
Groups with an n-fold axis of rotation:
1. Cn identity (E) and n-fold rotation (Cn)
2. Cnv identity (E), n-fold rotation (Cn) and n vertical reflections (v).
3. Cnh identity (E), n-fold rotation (Cn) and horizontal reflection plane (h).
Dihedral groups:
1. Dn identity (E), n-fold rotation (Cn) and n two-fold rotations (C2) perpendicular to Cn
axis (principal axis). (with no mirror planes)
2. Dnh - identity (E), n-fold rotation (Cn), n two-fold rotations (C2) perpendicular to Cn
axis and horizontal reflection plane (h). (with a horizontal mirror plane)
[Co(Ox)3]3- : D3
S8: D4d
H2O2: C2
H2: Dh
SF5Cl: C4v
HCN: Cv
C3H4: D2d
C60: Ih
CH2ClF:
Cs Or C1h