Elements of Symmetry

Elements of Symmetry

Chronal objects are non-superimposable and non-identical in all respects. A mirror image can never be superimposed on an achiral object. There is a handedness to achiral objects. chiral objects, such as gloves and shoes, are always paired up. There is no handedness to chiral objects, just like a standard round ball doesn't have one. So, chirality depends on symmetry for an object. The symmetry of a molecule can be checked by examining certain elements of symmetry, such as a point, a line, or a plane. It is impossible to distinguish the original orientation from the new orientation once the rotation or reflection around the symmetry element has taken place. Mirror reflections are produced when atoms on both sides of a plane coincide.

Point of Symmetry

It ensures the same structural features in both directions at opposite ends of a chiral molecule, (E)-1,2,-dichloroethene. As with the boat conformation, the planes of symmetry for cyclohexane are intersected (σ). Whenever a point on one side of a plane reflects through a plane, it equals its counterpart on the other side.



An achiral molecule is inferred from the presence of a reflective symmetry (a plane or point of symmetry). Conversely, chiral molecules may contain rotational symmetry axes rather than reflective symmetry elements.

Examples -

Methane - It consists of four C3 (axis) axes, three C2 (axes) axes, and six σ (planes). There are three tetrahedral points in this group. This means that it is achiral.

Cis –1,2-dichloroethane - An intersection of two orthogonal planes of symmetry and the C2 axis defines this structure. An achiral structure.

Trans-1,2-dichloroethane - Several axes are orthogonal to each other and intersect at a point of symmetry in this structure. This structure is achiral.

Trans-1,2-dimethylcyclopropane - A single C2 axis is present in this structure. There are two chiral axes in it.

Cyclohexane (boat formation) - There are two planes of symmetry and a C2 axis. Achiral.

Cyclohexane (chair formation) - A symmetry point, planes, and axes define it. C3 is the axis principal.

Plane of Symmetry

An achiral molecule is one that has no stereocenters. If the stereoisomer count has an odd number (1, 3, 5, etc.), then the molecule is always chiral. The meso compounds in a chiral molecule may make it achiral. The chirality of a molecule is determined in addition to the planes of symmetry and the inversion centers. Inversion centers can usually be identified easier than symmetry planes. In chemistry, the plane of symmetry is the plane that divides a molecule in half to get the same thing on both sides. A perpendicular line can be perpendicular to a plane or within it, depending on its orientation. Molecules with a symmetry plane are commonly achiral, regardless of their conformation.

Inversion Center

Molecule (a) is symmetrical within a plane that runs through the center of the carbon atom. The mirror plane is formed when one half of a molecule reflects the other. It is an achiral molecule. Inversion centers are found in molecules (b). Molecular inversion centers are points (which could or might not be atoms) where all the other atoms in a molecule can be converted through 180° into another identical part. Inversion centers are found in achiral molecules.

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