Appendix B: Organic Chemistry Software

Gregory Anderson; Caryn Fahey; Adrienne Richards; Samantha Sullivan Sauer; David Wegman; Jen Booth

Appendix B: Organic Chemistry Software

Learning organic chemistry is like learning a new language. Part of the learning is learning how to draw the structure of organic molecules. There are software tools to help digitize drawings.

Any software mentioned in this book is available via the web and typically free of charge. The authors have no financial nor ownership stake in the software. Any changes in availability or usability of the software are outside the scope of the authors’ influence.

Organic Chemistry Molecule Drawing Software

There are some suggested molecule drawing tools.

MolView

To access Molview, visit MolView. This is a web-based system. Figure B1 shows examples of the potential output from MolView.

Structural diagram showing Cs and Hs, line structure (zig-zags) and 3D model (white H atoms and grey C atoms) for decane (10 carbons and 22 hydrogens). — **Figure B1:** Structural diagram, line structure and 3D model for decane (C₁₀H₂₂). Drawn with MolView.org

For a step-by-step tutorial, watch Chemistry Unit 4: Using MolView to Construct 3D Models of Organic Molecules – YouTube (7 min).

Video source: QEST Inc. (2020. April 27). Chemistry Unit 4: Using MolView to Construct 3D Models of Organic Molecules – YouTube [Video]. YouTube.

BIOVIA Draw

To download BIOVIA Draw, visit BIOVIA Draw for Academics – Dassault Systèmes (3ds.com). BIOVIA Draw has been known under a variety of names including Accelyrs Draw. It is a computer-based system that is downloaded. It can be integrated into computer-based Microsoft products. Figure B2 shows examples of the potential output from BIOVIA Draw.

Line structure (zig-zags) and condensed structural diagram (showing Cs and Hs) for decane (10 carbons and 22 hydrogens). — **Figure B2:** Line structure and condensed structural diagram for decane (C₁₀H₂₂). Drawn with BIOVIA Draw.

For a step-by-step tutorial, watch Biovia draw tutorial – YouTube (7 min).

Video source: I teach CHEM. (2021, September 30). Biovia draw tutorial – YouTube [Video]. YouTube.

ChemSketch

To download ChemSketch, visit Free Chemical Drawing Software for Students | ChemSketch | ACD/Labs. It is a computer-based system that is downloaded.

For a step-by-step tutorial, watch How to Use ChemSketch from ACD/Labs (Tutorial and Demo) – YouTube (7 min).

Video source: ACDLabs. (2021, May 25). How to Use ChemSketch from ACD/Labs (Tutorial and Demo) – YouTube [Video]. YouTube.

Organic Chemistry Lab Drawing Software

Looking to draw a lab setup or visual step-by-step instructions with chemistry lab equipment, try: Chemix – Draw Lab Diagrams. Simply. See Figure B3 for an example of the types of chemical equipment and style of diagrams that can be made.

Diagram showing TLC plate, acid in a beaker, base in a flask, separating funnel into round bottom flask on stirring plate held by retort stand — **Figure B3:** Example of Chemix.org lab setup diagram (Drawn using www.chemix.org)

Attribution & References

Except where otherwise noted, this page is written by Samantha Sullivan Sauer and shared under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license.

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Organic and Biochemistry Supplement to Enhanced Introductory College Chemistry Copyright © 2024 by Gregory Anderson; Caryn Fahey; Adrienne Richards; Samantha Sullivan Sauer; David Wegman; and Jen Booth is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.