Molecular symmetry

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Molecular symmetry is a basic idea in chemistry. It describes the shapes of molecules in terms of the permutations of similar atoms in those molecules when they are transformed by the symmetry operations described below. It puts molecules into groups according to their symmetry. It can predict or explain many of a molecule's chemical properties.^{[1][2][3][4][5]} Chemists study symmetry to explain how crystals are made up and how chemicals react. The molecular symmetry of the reactants help predict how the product of the reaction is made up and the energy needed for the reaction.

Molecular symmetry can be studied several different ways. Group theory is the most popular idea. Group theory is also useful in studying the symmetry of molecular orbitals. This is used in the Hückel method, ligand field theory, and the Woodward–Hoffmann rules. Another idea on a larger scale is the use of crystal systems to describe crystallographic symmetry in bulk materials.

Scientists find molecular symmetry by using X-ray crystallography and other forms of spectroscopy. Spectroscopic notation is based on facts taken from molecular symmetry.

1. ↑ Quantum Chemistry, Third Edition John P. Lowe, Kirk Peterson ISBN 012457551X
2. ↑ Physical Chemistry: A Molecular Approach by Donald A. McQuarrie, John D. Simon ISBN 0935702997
3. ↑ The chemical bond 2nd Ed. J.N. Murrell, S.F.A. Kettle, J.M. Tedder ISBN 047190760X
4. ↑ Physical Chemistry P. W. Atkins ISBN 0716728710
5. ↑ G. L. Miessler and D. A. Tarr “Inorganic Chemistry” 3rd Ed, Pearson/Prentice Hall publisher, ISBN 0-13-035471-6.