Part 5 of

Symmetry Elements &

S y m m e t r y Ty p e s
Symmetry Elements
 There are four elements of symmetry that we need
to study.
1. Proper Axis of Symmetry or Axis of Symmetry (AOS)
 This is an imaginary line drawn through an object
about which if the object is rotated by an angle  <
results in the object which is identical or
indistinguishable from the previous object.
 It is written as 𝐂𝒏 where 𝒏 represents:
𝟑𝟔𝟎𝐨
𝒏=
𝛉
 If the same axis allows for multiple angles of
symmetry, then the smallest angle is chosen.

Page 1 Page 2
Symmetry Elements 𝐂𝟐
 There are four elements of symmetry that we need
to study.
1. Proper Axis of Symmetry or Axis of Symmetry (AOS)
 This is an imaginary line drawn through an object
about which if the object is rotated by an angle  < 2. Plane of Symmetry (POS)
results in the object which is identical or  An imaginary plane that bisects an object in such a
indistinguishable from the previous object. way that one half of the object becomes the mirror
 It is written as 𝐂 where 𝒏 represents: image of the other half of the object.
𝒏
𝟑𝟔𝟎𝐨
𝒏=
𝛉
 If the same axis allows for multiple angles of
symmetry, then the smallest angle is chosen.

Page 3 Page 4
Symmetry Elements 𝐂𝟐
 There are four elements of symmetry that we need
to study.
1. Proper Axis of Symmetry or Axis of Symmetry (AOS)
 This is an imaginary line drawn through an object
about which if the object is rotated by an angle  < 2. Plane of Symmetry (POS)
results in the object which is identical or  An imaginary plane that bisects an object in such a
indistinguishable from the previous object. way that one half of the object becomes the mirror
 It is written as 𝐂 where 𝒏 represents: image of the other half of the object.
𝒏
𝟑𝟔𝟎𝐨
𝒏=
𝛉
 If the same axis allows for multiple angles of
symmetry, then the smallest angle is chosen.

Page 5 Page 6
Symmetry Elements 𝐂𝟐
 There are four elements of symmetry that we need
to study.
1. Proper Axis of Symmetry or Axis of Symmetry (AOS)
 This is an imaginary line drawn through an object
about which if the object is rotated by an angle  < 2. Plane of Symmetry (POS)
results in an object which is identical or  An imaginary plane that bisects an object in such a
indistinguishable from the previous object. way that one half of the object becomes the mirror
 It is written as 𝐂 where 𝒏 represents: image of the other half of the object.
𝒏
𝟑𝟔𝟎𝐨
𝒏=
𝛉
 If the same axis allows for multiple angles of
symmetry, then the smallest angle is chosen.

Page 7 Page 8
 3. Center of Symmetry (COS)
 An imaginary point within an object such that if a
line is drawn from any part of the object to this
point and extended equidistant on the other side
encounters a similar part of the object.
 It is written as 𝐒𝒏 where 𝒏 represents: 𝒏 =
 A molecule having Plane of Symmetry always
 A molecule can have only one Center of Symmetry.
 Center of Symmetry is possible only in even
membered rings.
4. Alternate axis of Symmetry (AOS)
 Aka Improper Axis of Symmetry or Rotation-
reflection Axis of Symmetry. Page 9
 This is an imaginary line drawn through an object
about which if the object is rotated by an angle  <
followed by reflection through a plane
perpendicular to this axis results in an object which
is identical or indistinguishable from the previous
object.
𝟑𝟔𝟎𝐨
𝛉
has 𝐒𝟏 .
 A molecule having Center of Symmetry always has
𝐒𝟐 .
 This means that Plane of Symmetry and Center of
Symmetry are special cases of Alternate axis of
Symmetry.
Page 10
𝟏𝟖𝟎𝐨 Symmetry Types
 Based on the presence or absence of one or more of
these symmetry elements, molecules are
categorised into three categories.
1. Symmetric Molecules
 Molecules that possess a plane of symmetry or/and
a center of symmetry or/and alternate axis of
𝟏𝟖𝟎𝐨
symmetry are called Symmetric Molecules. Besides
these, the molecules may also possess an axis of
symmetry.
H
H

Br C H
C H
H
Cl
H
Page 11 Page 12
  Since Plane and Center of Symmetry are special
𝟗𝟎𝐨
cases of Alternate axis of Symmetry, technically it is
more appropriate to define Dissymmetric Molecules
as those that do not have any Alternate axis of
Symmetry and may possess Axis of Symmetry.

3. Asymmetric Molecules
𝑺𝟒
 Molecules that do not possess any element of
2. Dissymmetric Molecules symmetry are called Asymmetric Molecules.
 Molecules that do not possess any plane of
symmetry, center of symmetry and alternate axis F
of symmetry are called Dissymmetric Molecules.
However, the molecules may possess axis of C H
Br
symmetry.
Cl

Page 13 Page 14
Part 5 of

Symmetry Elements &

S y m m e t r y Ty p e s