Chemical
Nomenclature and Structure Representation Division
Graphical Representation Standards for Chemical
Structure Diagrams
The purpose of a chemical structure diagram is to convey
information-typically the identity of a molecule-to another human reader
or as input to a computer program. Any form of communication, however,
requires that all participants understand each other. Recommendations
are provided for the display of two-dimensional chemical structure diagrams
in ways that avoid ambiguity and are likely to be understood correctly
by all viewers. Examples are provided in many areas, ranging from issues
of typography and color selection to the relative positioning of portions
of a diagram and the rotational alignment of the diagram as a whole.
Explanations describe which styles are preferred and which should be
avoided. Principal recommendations include:
- Know your audience: Diagrams that have a wide audience should be
drawn as simply as possible.
- Avoid ambiguous drawing styles.
- Avoid inconsistent drawing styles.
> Download full text of the Provisional Recommendations (pdf
file - 1.00MB)
Comments by 30 June 2007
Jonathan Brecher
CambridgeSoft Corporation
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