Questions tagged [symmetry]
The description of the symmetry present in molecules. Molecular symmetry is useful for explaining or predicting of a molecule's chemical properties.
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Identifying Type of Symmetry Operations
From the given set of symmetry operations for a space group, say, P-3m1 or Cmma, how can one identify the type of all symmetry operations. For example, how to distinguish the axis of rotation symmetry ...
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Why is α-truxillic acid not meso compound? [duplicate]
I know that for a compound to be meso it should be optically inactive and should have multiple chiral centres but in case of α-truxillic acid, it is optically inactive due to centre of symmetry being ...
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How do we determine the local symmetry of anatase TiO2?
In this physical review B paper, the authors mentioned that the local symmetry of anatase TiO2 is D2d point group. Also, in this applied physics letters paper, the authors mentioned that the symmetry ...
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Tips for determining molecular point groups
Does anybody have tips on how to easyily determine the point group of a molecule? I am having a hard time even with the simple molecules. For example:
Determine the symmetry of the conformation of ...
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Electronic configuration and symmetry labels of 3d$^7$ ions
In 3d$^7$ ions, e.g. Co$^{2+}$, the ground state is $^4$F, and it contains different levels due to the crystal field, such as $^4T_{1g}$, $^4T_{2g}$ and $^4A_{2g}$. Can anyone tell me what exactly ...
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Where is the mirror plane in 1-bromo-1-chloroethene?
I'm studying point groups in inorganic chemistry and having a difficult time understanding some of these concepts.
In my book, Inorganic Chemistry: Fifth Edition by Miessler, Fischer, & Tarr, I am ...
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Optical rotation and chirality
I had the same question as in Molecular chirality and optical rotation
In the answer, it says that there can't be such a mirror position where the effect of one molecule be cancelled by other. But I'm ...
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Jahn-Teller Distortion: How to compare magnitudes (in Cu2+ complexes)?
Octahedral complex of copper(II) undergo structural distortion (Jahn-Teller). Which one of the given copper(II) complexes will who the maximum structural distortion? (en - ethylenediamine)
(A) $[Cu(...
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How do two orbitals need the same symmetry to bond? Do they need the same mulliken label?
I heard that in order for two atomic orbitals to form a bonding molecular orbital, they need:
Similar energy
Similar symmetry
and Possibility of overlap with the same sign
but, for example in methane, ...
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Why can s and p orbitals of one atom form hybrid orbitals but the overlaping of s & p orbitals of two different atoms don't form a molecular orbital?
So my question is in the title : Why can s and p orbitals of one atom form hybrid orbitals but the overlapping of one s orbital and one p orbital (perpendicular to the bond axis) of two different ...
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H-NMR Analysis of C15H24O
I was able to figure out that the structure of this compound was a benzene ring with 2 equivalent trimethyl groups to give the 18H singlet. Another non-equivalent methyl group to give the 3H singlet. ...
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How do you determine point groups of more complex molecules when there are 2 or more central atoms?
I am trying to determine the point group of Fe2(CO)8 and am having difficulty with the bond angles and geometry. How would one go about this in a logical sense?
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Bromate ion point group?
Would the bromate ion have C3v point group due to the trigonal pyramidal geometry? I see a C3 rotational axis and a vertical plane of symmetry. Am I missing anything in terms of the double bonds or ...
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What prevents an octahedral complex from always assuming the quadratic planar limiting case, due to the Jahn–Teller distortion?
When a given high-spin complex is Jahn–Teller distorted, this does not change the relative position of the total energy of the complex (assuming $\mathrm{d^{10}}$ configuration).
Indeed, the ...
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What does the 2 in t2g stand for?
I have read so far that it is about whether the d-Orbital is symmetric to a C2 element perpendicular to its main rotational axis. If all the given orbitals in a group are symmetric to that element, ...
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Why is prismane explosive but cubane is not?
So I was reading about polyhedral hydrocarbons, because I dig the topic, and I read (admittedly on wikipedia entries... But they cited papers, I swear!) that prismane is explosive due to the massive ...
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D-orbitals of point group C2v
I'm trying to construct an MO diagram for cisplatin, which has C2v symmetry. However, there is no Mulliken label for the d(x^2-y^2) orbital in the character table. Does this orbital not form molecular ...
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How does the anti isomer below have a plane of symmetry? The R group and the H end up in opposite sides if you divide in half [closed]
If we add substituents R to this structure, we can have two diastereoisomers with the two R groups on the same side (syn) of the flat ring or on opposite (anti) sides. Although the plane of the paper ...
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Energy of d(x²-y²) and d(xy) orbitals the same with respect to trigonal symmetry?
In the orbital splitting diagrams of trigonal planar and trigonal bipyramidal complexes the d$_{x² - y²}$ and d$_{xy}$ orbitals have the same energy. I have always assumed that this is because they ...
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How many stereoisomers are present in octahedral complexes of type MA3B2C?
Does $\ce{MA3B2C}$ type have optical isomerism or just geometric isomerism? I was told that it has three isomers, two cis and one trans. Are the two cis isomers optically active?
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Deduce the shapes of stretching modes of a tetrahedral molecule
This question is in relation to the [FeCl4]- molecule, which is tetrahedral. I previously deduced, using symmetry analysis, that the vectors corresponding to the bonds of the molecule will be A1+T2, ...
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What's the relation between two symmetry groups, if one has all the symmetry of the other and some more?
Question:
Consider two molecular symmetry groups, for example $C_s$ and $C_{2v}$.
$C_s$ has one inversion plane, and two irreductible representations: the symmetric $A'$, and the antisymmetric $A''$.
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Why are certain lattices compatible with only certain point groups and not all point groups?
I will limit this discussion to 2 dimensions for ease of intuition. My understanding of the 17 crystallographic plane groups is that these 17 groups represent all the possible symmetry groups of any ...
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Group Theory and Chemistry for Undergraduate Thesis
I am advising a student on her senior math thesis. She would like to involve chemistry somehow (her other major). I know no chemistry. I have read in several places that representation theory ...
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How do I assign functions for cartesian coordinates and rotations to irreducible representations of a character table?
I do not really understand the intuition behind the functions assigned to irreducible representations.
For example, in H₂O, the A₂ representation is given by
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What does it mean by non-bonding p pi orbital?
In a paper by Peng et. al.,[1] I read about the valence band maximum of $\ce{TiO2}$ consists of non-bonding O pπ orbitals
... the valence band maximum (VBM) consists of non-bonding O pπ states
What ...
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Is there a difference between $A_{1g}$ modes and $A_{g}$ modes?
I know that both are totally symmetric and that the '$1$', according to the Mulliken table, refers to symmetry around the $C_2$ axis but I was reading some papers and found that modes were sometimes ...
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Are A1g modes reduced at 180 degrees polarisation in Raman spectra?
I have read that A1g modes are identifiable in Raman spectra by looking at cross-polarised Raman spectra and seeing peaks that strongly reduce in intensity. So essentially, the intensity of A1g modes ...
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How do I show that a transition is electric dipole allowed with group theory/symmetry?
This is actually a follow up of this question
The follow-up is not because of the electric instead of magnetic dipole (this is trivial).
It is because I'm interested in extra info.
Suppose I have a ...
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Point group of harmonic oscillator
The book Molecular Quantum Mechanics by Atkins and Friedman [1] says the point group of a harmonic oscillator is $C_\mathrm{s},$ composed by the identity operator $E$ and a reflection $\sigma_\mathrm{...
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