Department of Physical and Astronomical

Sciences
Central University of Himachal Pradesh

Molecular Symmetry
Algebra of Symmetry operations

Soumyaranjan Dash ; CUHP13PAS27

Plan of Talk
Symmetry Elements
Algebra
Molecular
Symmetr
y

Reflection
Inversion

Symmetries in Molecules
Symmetry Operation Symmetry Element
1 N-fold rotation
N-fold rotation axis

Symbol
Cn

2 Reflection
3 N-fold rotationreflection
4 Inversion

Mirror plane
N-fold rotation-reflection
axis
Inversion center

Sn

5 Identity

Identity element

I or E

i or Ci

Symmetry operations in BCl3

Where n is an integer value
(1,2,3.....)
Vertical plane rotation of BCl3can
be written as C3(3 rotations)

Horizontal plane rotation of

BCl3can be written as C2(2
rotations)

Symmetry Operations on BCl3

Cl(b)

Cl(c)

Cl(c)

Cl(a)

Cl(b)

Cl(a)

Cl(a)

Cl(b)

Cl(c)

B
Cl(a)

Cl(b)

Cl(c)

Cl(a)

Cl(b)

B
Cl(c)

Algebra of Symmetry operations

The
symmetry operations that are defined can be used
to construct a complete algebra of operations.
Consider a planer molecule of BCl3. A two fold rotation
denoted by C2 through a and b. This can be obtained by
combine operation of both as C3.

If the order of the operation in reversed then :

Commutative law does not hold for these
operations.

Algebra of Symmetry operations

This
show that any two successive operation can be
equivalent to a single operation. In the similar fashion
we can define :

We can show that :

Symmetry Operations on BCl3

Cl(b)

Cl(c)

Cl(c)

B
Cl(a)

Cl(a)

Cl(b)

B
Cl(a)

and operations successively on BCl3 molecule.

Cl(b)

B
Cl(c)

The following operations always

commute.
1) Two rotations about the same axis.
2) Reflections through planes
perpendicular to each other.
3) The inversion and any reflection or
rotation.
4) Two C2 rotations about perpendicular
axes.
5) Rotation and reflection in a plane
perpendicular to the rotation axis.

References
Chemistry in Our Life (Internet source)
Symmetry operation
Molecular Symmetry Operations
Molecular Structure and Spectroscopy ;
G. Aruldhas ; Chapter 5.3

Thank You