University14 min

Group theory: finding a molecule's point group

The flowchart that leads to the point group, the C2v character table, the reduction formula and the IR and Raman selection rules.

The essentials

1

The five symmetry operations

EE (identity), CnC_n (rotation by 2π/n2\pi/n), σ\sigma (reflection), ii (inversion), SnS_n (improper rotation: CnC_n then σh\sigma_h). The principal axis is the CnC_n axis of highest order. A plane is σh\sigma_h if it is perpendicular to it, σv\sigma_v if it contains it, σd\sigma_d if it contains it while bisecting two C2C_2 axes.
2

Point group and order

Members only

3

The C2v character table

Members only

4

The reduction formula

Members only

5

Vibrations and selection rules

Members only

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