CHM 242 A

Basic Inorganic Chemistry

Molecular Symmetry

Dr. Basker Sundararaju

Lecture 2 – Symmetry Elements and Operations

Plane of Symmetry (σ)
Plane of Symmetry (σ)
Plane of Symmetry (σ)
Plane of Symmetry (σ)
 Plane of Symmetry (σ)
σ : reflection plane (reflection operation in the mirror plane)
move a point to a opposite and equidistance point through a plane

Why only one operation?

Why can't we do it twice - what is σ2

σ2 = E, the identity, because reflection in a

plane, followed by reflection back again,
returns all points to the position from
which they started, i.e. to the identical
position.

e.g. acetylene, CO2

if perpendicular to the principal axis, → σh (horizontal)

if contain the principal axis, → σv (vertical), σd (dihedral)

 Plane of Symmetry (σ)
Many molecules have one or more planes of symmetry. A flat molecule will always
have a plane in the molecular plane e.g. H20, but this molecule also has one other
plane.

Can you list all four symmetry elements of the water molecule?
 Plane of Symmetry (σ)
There is a simple restriction on planes of symmetry which is rather obvious but can
sometimes be helpful in finding planes. A plane must either pass through an atom, or
else that type of atom must occur in pairs, symmetrically either side of the plane.
 Plane of Symmetry in TBP
Cl H

Cl
Cl
H Cl
H Cl

Plane of Symmetry in TBP

Plane of Symmetry in SP (4-coordinate system)

Plane of Symmetry in Td
Plane of Symmetry in 5-coordinate system

Which one of this molecules possess molecular plane?

 Plane of Symmetry in Oh complex

B5

B2
B3
B1
B4

B6
 Plane of Symmetry in Oh complex

C1 1. How many planes are there in this molecule?

2. Label the atoms that are lies within the plane?

B2
B3
B1
B4

B5