Molecular symmetry

Abstract

This chapter discusses some of the consequences of molecular symmetry and introduces the systematic arguments of group theory. It emphasizes the importance of symmetry considerations in constructing molecular orbitals and analysing molecular vibrations. The chapter looks at symmetry operations, elements, and point groups. It also considers character tables which are used in the systematic analysis of the symmetry properties of molecules. The chapter then tackles polar molecules and chiral molecules before it further progresses to discuss the symmetries of molecular orbitals, covering concepts such as symmetry-adapted linear combinations, reducible representations, and projection operators. The chapter also considers polyatomic molecules.