ChemSketch: How to draw structures in ChemSketch in a notation style, like NH2CH2CH2CH2OH (Condensed Formula)

Description

Some users prefer or require condensed formulas (e.g., NH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂OH) for teaching or documentation, instead of fully expanded skeletal or structural formulas. While ChemSketch is a structural editor, it can approximate a condensed formula style, with some limitations, and also supports non-structural “label-only” representations.

Solution

1. Draw the structure as usual in the drawing area.
2. Double-click on the structure to bring up the Properties dialog box.
3. Click the Common tab.
4. Under Show Carbons, select the All checkbox, and click Apply.
5. Click and drag the atoms such that they line up with one another and the bonds are hidden.

Limitations:

Drawing a structure with an end group such as (CH3)3C is not possible with the described method. If the structure is written as (CH3)3C, it will not be possible to calculate the physicochemical properties. At this moment in time, there is no solution for this problem.

If the structure is being made for visual purposes, it may be easier to make a custom label.

1. From Structure mode, click Edit Atom Label
2. In the Edit Label dialog box, start typing the formula into the edit box. Subscripts will automatically be applied.
3. Click Insert, and then click to paste the label into the drawing area.

Note: the label may have a pink border, indicating that the label cannot be unambiguously validated. To hide the pink border, enable Select/Move  and double-click the label to bring up the Properties dialog box. In the Common tab, completely clear the Cross Out Invalid Atom checkbox, and click Apply.