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Stereochemistry demands special attention because three-dimensionality is the most difficult part of a structure to visualize. Techniques for presenting 3-dimensional structures reflect the tastes of the artist. Three dimensionality is best highlighted by the depictions of bonds, using wedges,
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Depictions of molecular compounds is well accomplished using ChemDraw and related software. Cations and anions are also typically discrete and can be depicted unambiguously. For simple structures, say <10 atoms, it is helpful to depict all atoms explicitly. For more complex molecules, most
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bolding, and hashed formats. Some artists highlight three-dimensionality by varying fonts sizes, e.g. slightly larger fonts for the "front" atoms. In organic chemistry, double bonds and C-H bonds are shorter than most single bonds.
118:, adopt low-dimensional structures, in which case the layers (2-D) or chains (1-D) should be shown. Some inorganic solids dissociate - or crack - into molecular species heating or upon dissolving, e.g.
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95:. It is a matter of taste whether one includes the lone pair in a drawing. Lone pairs of electrons are more common for depictions that emphasize bonding, as in simple gaseous molecules, such as
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64:. The structures of many reagents are often misunderstood because simplified formulas are presented in reaction schemes whereas the actual structures are more complex. Examples are
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hydrogen atoms attached to carbon are omitted, and carbon atoms are represented by vertices. For ease of readability,
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Chemical structures are presented to help readers understand the nature of the titled material. One can subdivide
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72:. Readers of Knowledge (XXG) often comment (complain) that structures shown are incorrect for this reason.
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Some important chemical species cannot be easily represented with simple pictures, e.g.
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fonts are preferred. Many artists employ color to highlight parts of the molecules.
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Knowledge (XXG):WikiProject
Chemistry/Structure drawing workgroup
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Knowledge (XXG):Manual of Style/Chemistry/Structure drawing
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91:of electrons, which are sometimes
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106:Nonmolecular compounds, e.g.
131:non-stoichiometric compounds
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70:lithium diisopropylamide
58:organometallic compounds
93:stereochemically active
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120:Aluminium chloride
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127:hydrochloric acid
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89:lone pairs
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137:See also
116:graphite
112:packing
97:ammonia
50:organic
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129:and
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