Assign to a Point group:

Staggered C2H6

C3, C2 ⊥, no σh, 3σv C3, C2 ⊥, no σh, no σv

D3d D3
 Chirality and Symmetry
→see section 4.8 H&S 3rd edition
• What makes a molecule chiral?
– Non-superimposible mirror images.

• Enantiomers are identical except for two properties:

– Plane polarized light
– Interaction with other chiral molecules
 Chirality and Symmetry
• Any molecule with
-a mirror plane (σ),
-an inversion center (i),
-an improper rotation (Sn)
cannot be chiral.

• Molecules lacking these symmetry elements (possessing

only E and Cn) are chiral.
• Point groups C1, Cn, Dn are chiral
eg. CFClBrI, [Co(en)2Cl2]+, Co(ox)3-3. Assign point group?
Chirality and Symmetry
 Polarity and Symmetry
• A polar molecule has a different electric charge on
opposite sides
(of a covalent bond or an entire molecule.

• This means a polar molecule must possess two sides that

CANNOT be related by symmetry.

• Consider water ...

 Polarity and Symmetry
• An inversion center wipes out polarity

• C2 perpendicular to Cn wipes out polarity (any D point

group )

• Any cubic symmetry (Td, Oh and Ih) cannot be polar.

• Polar molecules can include C1, Cs, Cn, or Cnv.

Practice problem
 Properties of Mathematical Groups
(see end of Programme 2 in MSGT by Alan Vincent for help with this topic)

A group is a collection of elements that obeys 4 rules:

1. Closure
-Product of any 2 elements and square each is an
element in the group

2. Identity
-There must be an identity element

3. Associative Law of multiplication

4. Every element must have an inverse in the group

Example: C2v

1. Closure

2. Identity

3. Associative Law of multiplication

4. Every element must have an inverse in the group

 We Can Express These Ideas in Terms of a
Multiplication Table

C2v E C2 σ(xz) σ(yz)

E E C2 σ(xz) σ(yz)

C2 C2 E σ(yz) σ(xz)

σ(xz) σ(xz) σ(yz) E C2

σ(yz) σ(yz) σ(xz) C2 E

 Irreducible Representations
(see Programme 3 in MSGT by Alan Vincent for help with this topic)
Character Table Example: C2v
Character Table Example: C2v