Molecular Symmetry

Abstract

Symmetry and group theory provide us with a formal method for the description of the geometry of objects by describing the patterns in their structure. In chemistry it is a powerful method that underlies many apparently disparate phenomena. Symmetry allows us to accurately describe the types of bonding that can occur between atoms or groups of atoms in molecules. It also governs the transitions that may occur between energy levels in molecular systems, which in turn allows us to predict the absorption properties of molecules and hence their spectra. Molecular Symmetry lays out the formal language used in the area using illustrative examples of particular molecules throughout. It then applies the ideas of symmetry to describe molecular structure, bonding in molecules and consider the implications in spectroscopy.Topics covered include: