Schönflies Notation

Schönflies notation is a system used in chemistry to describe the symmetry of molecular shapes, especially those with mirror planes, rotation axes, and inversion centers. It assigns a letter and sometimes a number (like “C” or “D” for certain symmetries, and “/1,” “/2,” etc., for complexity) to categorize molecules based on their symmetrical features. This helps chemists understand and predict physical and chemical properties, such as how molecules vibrate or interact with light, by providing a standardized way to classify their symmetry.