A set theoretic approach to the symmetry analysis of hexadecahedrane (Q923006)

The molecule symmetry point set associated with a given symmetry point group G of a molecule is defined as the minimum set of symmetry elements (axes, planes) of all generating sets of G, and a local symmetry point set is defined as the symmetry point set of a unit of the molecule (atom, groups of atoms) or of a combination of units. In which way local symmetry point sets contribute to the whole molecular symmetry point set is studied for the special molecule \(C_{28}H_{28}\). The analysis reveals the contribution of the symmetry point group of the whole molecule. Only elementary set theoretic concepts are used.