Explanation:
Symmetry can help resolve many chemistry problems and usually the first step is to determine the symmetry. If we know how to determine the symmetry of small molecules, we can determine symmetry of other targets which we are interested in. Therefore, this module will introduce basic concepts of group theory and after reading this module, you will know how to determine the symmetries of small molecules.
Introduction
Symmetry is very important in chemistry researches and group theory is the tool that is used to determine symmetry. Usually, it is not only the symmetry of molecule but also the symmetries of some local atoms, molecular orbitals, rotations and vibrations of bonds, etc. that are important. For example, if the symmetries of molecular orbital wave functions are known, we can find out information about the binding. Also, by the selection rules that are associated with symmetries, we can explain whether the transition is forbidden or not and also we can predict and interpret the bands we can observe in Infrared or Raman spectrum.
Symmetry operations and symmetry elements are two basic and important concepts in group theory. When we perform an operation to a molecule, if we cannot tell any difference before and after we do the operation, we call this operation a symmetry operation. This means that the molecule seems unchanged before and after a symmetry operation. As Cotton defines it in his book, when we do a symmetry operation to a molecule, every points of the molecule will be in an equivalent position.
Symmetry Elements
For different molecules, there are different kinds of symmetry operations we can perform. To finish a symmetry operation, we may rotate a molecule on a line as an axis, reflect it on a mirror plane, or invert it through a point located in the center. These lines, planes, or points are called symmetry elements. There may be more then one symmetry operations associated with a particular symmetry
Identity E
The molecule does not move and all atoms of the molecule stay at the same place when we apply an identity operation, E, on it. All molecules have the identity operation. Identity operation can also be a combination of different operations when the molecule returns to its original position after these operations are performed.1 This will be demonstrated later.
