CH 801 : Symmetry in Chemistry

Autumn elective

Syllabus

Symmetry in nature. Structural regularity in Chemistry, Elements of group theory. Group theory and quantum mechanics. Symmetry principles in structural and bonding theories of molecules. Molecular geometry; Jahn-Teller and Renner effects; dipole moments. Conservation of orbital symmetry in pericyclic reactions. Symmetry in the interaction of radiation with matter. Transition probability and selection rules; normal modes of vibration; symmetry in electronic spectra; symmetry rules governing the relation of polarisability, accidental degeneracy and hidden symmetry; superselection rules. Symmetry in nanoscience.

Text References

1. G. Davidson, Introductory Group Theory, Elsevier, l971.  

2. J. M. Holias, Symmetry in Molecules, Chapman and Hall, l972.  

3. F. A. Cotton, Chemical Applications of Group Theory, Wiley and Sons, 2003.

4. D. Bishop, Group Theory and Chemistry, Oxford University Press, l974.  

5. M. Tinkham, Group Theory and Quantum Mechanics, Dover Books, 2003.

6. L. Chuntonov and G. Haran, J. Phys. Chem. C 2011, 115, 19488–19495.

7. L. Chuntonov and G. Haran, Nano Lett. 2011, 11, 2440–2445.