What are the rules for writing condensed structural formulas?

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Answer 1 · 2015-07-29T02:18:34

Condensed structural formulas are designed to be typed on a single line. Here are the rules.

Write the atoms of the longest chain horizontally in the order in which they are connected.
- You may combine repeating horizontal units in subscripted parentheses.
Write all of the ligands on an atom immediately to its right, with subscripts for multiples.
- Exception: Write ligands on the leftmost atom immediately to its left.
Enclose polyatomic ligands in parentheses.
Use explicit bonds as needed to clarify attachments.
It is preferable to treat equivalent groups equally.

Here are some examples of condensed structural formulas.

$"CH"_3"CH"_2"CH"_2"CH"_2"CH"_2"CH"_3$ and $"CH"_3("CH"_2)_4"CH"_3$

$("CH"_3)_4"C"$

$("CH"_3)_2"CHC(CH"_3)_2"CH"_2"CH"_3$

$"CH"_3"CCl"_2"CH"_2"CH"_3$

$"HOCH"_2"CH"_2"OH"$

$"CH"_3"COCH"_3$ and $"CH"_3"C(=O)CH"_3$ and $("CH"_3)_2"C=O"$

$"ClCH"_2"COOH"$ and $"ClCH"_2"C(=O)OH"$

$"CH"_3"CH"_2"C≡N"$ and $"CH"_3"CH"_2"CN"$

$"CH"_3"CON(CH"_3)_2$ and $"CH"_3"C(=O)N(CH"_3)_2$

$"CH"_3"CH(COOCH"_3)_2$

$"CH"_3"CH(OH)CH"_3$