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5.02: Molecular Point Groups

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    210950
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    A Point Group describes all the symmetry operations that can be performed on a molecule that result in a conformation indistinguishable from the original. Point groups are used in Group Theory, the mathematical analysis of groups, to determine properties such as a molecule's molecular orbitals.

    Assigning Point Groups

    While a point group contains all of the symmetry operations that can be performed on a given molecule, it is not necessary to identify all of these operations to determine the molecule's overall point group. Instead, a molecule's point group can be determined by following a set of steps which analyze the presence (or absence) of particular symmetry elements.

    1. Determine if the molecule is of high or low symmetry.
    2. If not, find the highest order rotation axis, Cn.
    3. Determine if the molecule has any C2 axes perpendicular to the principal Cn axis. If so, then there are n such C2 axes, and the molecule is in the D set of point groups. If not, it is in either the C or S set of point groups.
    4. Determine if the molecule has a horizontal mirror plane (σh) perpendicular to the principal Cn axis. If so, the molecule is either in the Cnh or Dnh set of point groups.
    5. Determine if the molecule has a vertical mirror plane (σv) containing the principal Cn axis. If so, the molecule is either in the Cnv or Dnd set of point groups. If not, and if the molecule has n perpendicular C2 axes, then it is part of the Dn set of point groups.
    6. Determine if there is an improper rotation axis, S2n, collinear with the principal Cn axis. If so, the molecule is in the S2n point group. If not, the molecule is in the Cn point group.

    Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\) steps for determining a molecule's overall point group

    Example \(\PageIndex{1}\)

    Finding the point group of benzene (C6H6)

    Answer:

    Solution

    1. Benzene is neither high or low symmetry
    2. Highest order rotation axis: C6

    3. There are 6 C2 axes perpendicular to the principal axis

    4. There is a horizontal mirror plane (σh)

    Benzene is in the D6h point group.

    Low Symmetry Point Groups

    Low symmetry point groups include the C1, Cs, and Ci groups

    Group Description Example
    C1 only the identity operation (E) CHFClBr
    Cs only the identity operation (E) and one mirror plane C2H2ClBr
    Ci only the identity operation (E) and a center of inversion (i) C2H2Cl2Br

    High Symmetry Point Groups

    High symmetry point groups include the Td, Oh, Ih, C∞v, and D∞h groups. The table below describes their characteristic symmetry operations. The full set of symmetry operations included in the point group is described in the corresponding character table.

    Group Description Example
    C∞v linear molecule with an infinite number of rotation axes and vertical mirror planes (σv) HBr
    h linear molecule with an infinite number of rotation axes, vertical mirror planes (σv), perpendicular C2 axes, a horizontal mirror plane (σh), and an inversion center (i) CO2
    Td typically have tetrahedral geometry, with 4 C4 axes, 3 C2 axes, 3 S4 axes, and 6 dihedral mirror planes (σd) CH4
    Oh typically have octahedral geometry, with 3 C4 axes, 4 C3 axes, and an inversion center (i) as characteristic symmetry operations SF6
    Ih typically have an icosahedral structure, with 6 C5 axes as characteristic symmetry operations B12H122-

    D Groups

    The D set of point groups are classified as Dnh, Dnd, or Dn, where n refers to the principal axis of rotation. Overall, the D groups are characterized by the presence of n C2 axes perpendicular to the principal Cn axis. Further classification of a molecule in the D groups depends on the presence of horizontal or vertical/dihedral mirror planes.

    Group Description Example
    Dnh n perpendicular C2 axes, and a horizontal mirror plane (σh) benzene, C6H6 is D6h
    Dnd n perpendicular C2 axes, and a vertical mirror plane (σv) propadiene, C3H4 is D2d
    Dn n perpendicular C2 axes, no mirror planes [Co(en)3]3+ is D3

    C Groups

    The C set of point groups are classified as Cnh, Cnv, or Cn, where n refers to the principal axis of rotation. The C set of groups are characterized by the absence of n C2 axes perpendicular to the principal Cn axis. Further classification of a molecule in the C groups depends on the presence of horizontal or vertical/dihedral mirror planes.

    Group Description Example
    Cnh horizontal mirror plane (σh) perpendicular to the principal Cn axis boric acid, H3BO3 is C3h
    Cnv vertical mirror plane (σv) containing the principal Cn axis ammonia, NH3 is C3v
    Cn no mirror planes P(C6H5)3 is C3

    S Groups

    The S set of point groups are classified as S2n, where n refers to the principal axis of rotation. The S set of groups are characterized by the absence of n C2 axes perpendicular to the principal Cn axis, as well as the absence of horizontal and vertical/dihedral mirror planes. However, there is an improper rotation (or a rotation-reflection) axis collinear with the principal Cn axis.

    Group Description Example
    S2n improper rotation (or a rotation-reflection) axis collinear with the principal Cn axis 12-crown-4 is S4

    5.02: Molecular Point Groups is shared under a CC BY-SA license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

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