Frame Transformation Relations and Symmetry Analysis of Fluxional Symmetric Rotor Dimers

The theory of Frame transformation relations between the states of Born Oppenheimer and the weak coupling approximations is developed for polyatomic molecules. The symmetry relations are a generalization of the frame transformation relations derived by Harter and Crogman for coupled rotor molecules. A key internal symmetry label (named “soul”) is defined so that it remains a constant label for frame transformation relations, and is conserved during vibronic transitions, ionization, and even dissociation provided the nuclear spin-rotation interaction is relatively small. Simplified procedures are given for obtaining selection rules, statistical weights, and matrix elements of multipole operators for common molecules having various point symmetries.