Correlation between energy levels of linear and bent X2Y2 molecules

The permutation-inversion group developed by Longuet-Higgins is extended to a classification of the vibronic, torsional, and rotational wavefunctions of a nonrigid X₂Y₂ molecule by introducing a symmetry operation $\text{T}\text{?}$, which rotates the top half of the molecule by 2π and, accordingly, the molecule-fixed x axis by π. Since the energy levels of linear (D_∞h) and bent (C_2h, C_2h, and C₂) forms of X₂Y₂ are classified according to a set of common symmetry operations of this extended permutation-inversion group, their energy levels can be correlated, including those of nonrigid forms such as a quasilinear system or a free internal rotor. Nuclear spin weights and selection rules are derived.