Updated on 8th March, 2019 rdschemistry@gmail.com Prepared By Dr.

Rupa Dey
(Mob No-8638155244/9854813489)

TDC CHEMISTRY (Honors)

(6th SEMESTER)
COURSE NO. CHMH-601
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
Unit-iii molecular symmetry
Q: What do you mean by n-fold proper axis of rotation of a molecule? Q: Explain that a molecule belonging to Ci and Dn point group cannot
Show how the operation is carried out for the NH3 molecule. be polar.
A: The n-fold proper axis of symmetry is defined as an imaginary A: Molecule belonging to point group, Ci does not have dipole moment
axis present in a molecule about which, when the molecule is since, due to the presence of inversion centre, the molecule does not
360𝑜 possess asymmetric charge distribution. For example: Staggered
rotated through an angle of , the molecule presents an
𝑛
form of 1,2-Dibromo-1,2-dichloro-1,2-diiodoethane is non-polar.
indistinguishable configuration. Here, n represents the order of the
axis.

NH3 possess pyramidal structure which contains one C3 axis

of symmetry. When rotation is performed through an angle 120o, it
leads to two indistinguishable configuration II & III. The original
configuration is obtained after third rotation.

Similarly, in Dn point group, the dipole vector is

perpendicular to the C2 axis and parallel to principal axis.
Consequently, the opposite pole changes position due to C2 axis of
rotation. Hence, molecule having Dn point group is non-polar.
Q: Given example of a molecule belonging to D2h point group.
A: The symmetry elements of D2h point group are E, 3C2, 2σv, 2σh, i.
Example of a molecule having these symmetry elements are ethene
(C2H4).

Q: Write down the Schoenflies symbol of the following molecule.

(i) H2O, (ii) Cis-H2O2, (iii) Trans-H2O2, (iv) C6H6 (v) BClFI (vi)
CHCl3 (vii) CHClFI (viii) CH4 (ix) CO2 (x) [PtCl4]2- Q: Ascertain the point group of BF3 & NH3.
A: The Schoenflies symbols for the molecules are as follows. A: The point groups are D3h & C3v respectively.

Q: Define the symmetry elements and symmetry operation.

Molecules Point Group
A: Symmetry elements are defined as the imaginary geometrical
H2O C2v: E, C2, 2 Cv entities such as points, lines and planes that are present in a
Cis-H2O2 C2v molecule, about which when some operations (rotation, reflection)
Trans-H2O2 C2h: E, C2, σh are performed, the molecule presents an indistinguishable structure.
C6H6 D6h: E, C6, C3, 3C2, σh, 6 σv, i Symmetry operations are simple geometrical operations
BClFI C1: E such as reflection, rotation or inversion which when performed on
CHCl3 C3v: E, C3, 3 σv
the molecule, give rise to an indistinguishable configuration of the
CHClFI C1
same molecule.
CH4 Td: E, 8 C8, 3 C2, 6σd
CO2 Dαh: E, Cα, C2, σh, α σv, i Q: Can a molecule with C1 point group be chiral? Justify your answer.
[PtCl4]2- D4h: E, C4, 4 C2, σh, 4σv
A: A molecule to be chiral, it must not any possess symmetry plane i.e.
σ plane (σv, σh, σd). The molecule belonging to C1 point group has
Q: What are the conditions for a molecule to be in D3h point group? only one symmetry element, E. So, a molecule with C1 point group
Give one example. cannot be chiral.
A: The molecule must possess the following symmetry elements to in
Q: The concept of polarity is a consequence of symmetry. Explain with
D3h point group.
examples.
E, C3, 3 C2, σh, 3σv
A: For a molecule to have a permanent dipole moment, it must have an
For example: BH3 belongs to D3h point group.
asymmetric charge distribution. The point group of the molecule
determines both dipole moment and direction of dipole moment.
Q: What do you mean by Schoenflies Symbols?
A: Every point group has a descriptive symbol signifying the presence Dipole vector perpendicular to Cn axis (which is
of some defining combination of symmetry elements. Those perpendicular to principal axis) carries no polarity since in that case,
symbols are called Schoenflies Symbols. the ends of such a dipole moment interchange and reverse the
polarity, which is not allowed for a molecule to be polar. For
 example: CO2 where C2 axis is perpendicular to the dipole vector Q: Assign point group of cis, trans and average gauche form of H2O2.
and hence non-polar. A: The point groups of cis, trans and average gauche form of H2O2 are
tabulated below.

Point
Group
Symmetry
Element
C2h C2

Also, if the point group of the molecule contains any

symmetry operation that would interchange the two ends of the
molecule, such as a σh/σv mirror plane (perpendicular to the
principal axis), then there cannot be a polarity in that molecule. ~~~****Thank you for going through the pages****~~~

Point Groups with Polarity: C1, Cs, Cn, Cnv For further update log in our FB page
https://www.facebook.com/rdsacademy/
Point Groups with non-polarity: Ci, Cnh, Ih,Oh (possessing i)

Td, Dn, Dnh, Dnd (Possessing more than one non-coincident axis)

Q: Assign symmetry point group of para-dichlorobenzene.

A: The symmetry elements and point group of para-dichlorobenzene
are as follows.
Point Group, D2h: E, C2, 2C2, 2σv, 2σh, i

Q: Give one example of molecule belonging to C1 point group.

A: One example of molecule possessing C1 point group is
Bromochloroflouroiodomethane, CBrClFI.

Q: Explain how a molecule belonging to Dn, Dnh or Dnd point group

can’t be polar.
A: In a molecule with Dn point group, the dipole vector is perpendicular
to the C2 axis and parallel to principal axis. Consequently, the
opposite pole changes position due to C2 axis of rotation. Hence,
molecule having Dn point group is non-polar. For example: Gauche
form of Hexabromoethane is non-polar the dipole moment vector is
perpendicular to the C2 axis.

Q: What is the relation between asymmetry and dissymmetry? What

are the point groups of this type?
A: Asymmetry and dissymmetry both represents the chirality of a
molecule, that means no symmetry plane. The only difference
between asymmetry and dissymmetry is their point group.
Asymmetric molecules belong to C1 point group and dissymmetric
molecules belong to Dn point groups like D2 & D3.