The 32 Crystallographic Point Groups ("molecules" set)

Models of all 32 Crystal Classes (= crystallographic point groups) for teaching or practice. Not designed for FDM printing, SLA/SLS printing is advised.

This set is designed with chemistry students in mind, I found they learn easier when starting with molecules rather than crystal shapes. There's a molecule or ion for each point group, all except one are based on existing compounds. As far as I know this is the only complete set freely available for download.

Check out my other symmetry models:

Minimal set
Didactic set
(Pseudo-)Minerals set
Real Life Set
Simple Set
Spheres (Pac-Man)
Spheres (rings)
Teddys

Things I designed differently in comparison to the other sets:

- Based on molecules, not crystal shapes.
- The size is a bit on the smallish side, consider upscaling some models.
- Molecules are sized around 50x50x50 mm (very roughly).
- I used only two atom sizes to keep it simple. Could have used only one since there is no instance where it is relevant for symmetry, but I just liked it better with two.
- C and H are the same size.
- If there is a bigger atom it is oxygen, sulfur, a halogen or a metal.
- I tried to use simple/small molecules, but not always chose the smallest option (either to fit my rough size criterion better, or to make it easier to spot the symmetry elements).
- Some models are rather involved if their symmetry is rare.
- There is no small molecule for point group 432, as far as I'm aware. There are MOFs and clusters with this symmetry, but they are all too big to be useful. I based my model on a published calculated molecule.
- The geometries are not accurate. I totally freestyled the relative angles and bond distances, either to decrease the size or to make it easier to spot the symmetry. A few of the molecules these models are based on do not actually have these symmetries in real life (some are just very close). Better not use them for any other purpose than to demonstrate point groups.
- I'm not releasing the design file, because it is a soggy mess.
- Please do let me know if you find any mistakes.

List of used molecules:

1: 1-chloroethanol
-1: 1,2-dibromo-1,2-dichloroethane
2: H2O2
m: chloroamine
2/m: oxalic acid
222: tetranitroethene
mm2: dichloromethane
mmm: diborane
4: 1,4,7,10-tetramethyl-1,4,7,10-tetraazadodecane
-4: Si(OH)4
4/m: [Cu(N3)4]2-
422: octanitrocubane
4mm: SF5
-42m: propadiene
4/mmm: XeF4
3: trinitromethane
-3: hexaaminobenzene
32: [4.4.4]propellane
3m: acetonitrile
-3m: ethane
6: hexavinylbenzene
-6: boric acid
6/m: benzenehexol
622: hexanitrobenzene
6mm: benzenechromium
-6m2: SbF5
6/mmm: benzene
23: hexaethylenetetramine 
m-3: [Ce(NO3)6]2-
432: dodeca-ethylene-octamine (theoretical)
-43m: tetrahedrane
m-3m: SF6

Notes on printing:

FDM printing these would be a pain due to the required supports. I have not printed them. Resin printing should be fine, or you could use a printing service.
I paid 28 USD for the full set  plus shipping (another 28 USD…), SLA printing with the cheapest resin. There were a few warnings about inside surface finish on the enclosed prints, but the models turned out great.