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Answer ChemDoodle Sketcher Questions

Some OWLv2 questions require you use the ChemDoodle Sketcher tool to draw a model of a molecule.

ChemDoodle Sketcher lets you draw the structural formula of a molecule by adding atoms, bonds, and rings to your model using the buttons at the top.

A question might begin with the ChemDoodle Sketcher displaying a single atom, an undefined dot, or a model that is nearly complete for you to finish.

  1. Draw the structural formula.
    To do this Do this
    Add atoms
    1. Click the down arrow next to the element button.

      options for commonly used elements

    2. Select an element.

      Choose from the displayed options, or click display periodic table to choose from the periodic table.

    3. Click an existing element in ChemDoodle Sketcher and drag away.

      The selected element is added to the structual formula.
    Change the charge of an atom
    1. Click the down arrow next to the attributes button.

      options for changing the attributes of an atom

    2. Click increase charge to increase the charge, or decrease charge to decrease the charge.
    3. Click an atom.
    Add or remove a lone pair
    1. Click the down arrow next to the attributes button.

      options for changing the attributes of an atom

    2. Click add lone pair to add a lone pair, or remove lone pair to remove a lone pair.
    3. Click an atom.
    Add or remove a radical
    1. Click the down arrow next to the attributes button.

      options for changing the attributes of an atom

    2. Click add radical to add a radical, or remove radical to remove a radical.
    3. Click an atom.
    Label an atom with an asterisk
    1. Click the down arrow next to the attributes button.

      options for changing the attributes of an atom

    2. Click any element.
    3. Click an atom.
    Designate an atom as an R group
    1. Click the down arrow next to the attributes button.

      options for changing the attributes of an atom

    2. Click Rgroup.
    3. Click an atom.
    4. Enter a positive integer in the Input window.
    Draw bonds

    To draw a bond with carbon at the other end:

    1. Select a bond type.

      types of bonds

    2. Click an existing atom.

    To draw a bond with an element other than carbon at the other end:

    Note This can only be done with single bonds, but you can edit the bond later.
    1. Select the single bond.
    2. Select an element.
    3. Click and drag away from an existing atom.
    Draw rings
    1. Select a ring type.

      types of rings

    2. Click an atom or pair of atoms.
    Enclose a region with brackets
    1. Click bracket.
    2. Click and drag to select the region to enclose with brackets.
    3. Use the three sets of arrows around the brackets to define the following values:
      • Charge amount: top-right arrows
      • Repeat count: bottom-right arrows
      • Multiple count: center-left arrows
  2. Edit the structural formula.
    To do this Do this
    Edit atoms
    1. Click the down arrow next to the element button.

      options for commonly used elements

    2. Select an element.

      Choose from the displayed options, or click display periodic table to choose from the periodic table.

    3. Click an element in ChemDoodle Sketcher to set it to the selected element.
    Edit bonds
    1. Select a bond type.

      types of bonds

    2. Click an existing bond.
    Move objects
    1. Click move.
    2. Click and drag an object.
    Erase an object
    1. Click erase.
    2. Click an object.
    Undo your last action Click undo.
    Redo your last action Click redo.
    Clear all objects Click clear.
  3. Click Submit Answer.

Example

Instructions:

Draw a complete structure for a molecule with the molecular formula CH4S.

  • Explicitly draw all H atoms.
  • In cases where there is more than one answer, just draw one.
Note The question begins with the ChemDoodle Sketcher tool displaying a single carbon atom.
the ChemDoodle Sketcher tool displaying one carbon atom.

Answer:

  1. Click single bond, and click the carbon atom.

    Two carbon atoms connected by a single bond.

  2. Open the dropdown menu next to the element button, and select S.
  3. Click the new carbon atom to change it to an sulfur atom.

    A carbon atom and a sulfur atom connected by a single bond.

  4. Click single bond, and click the sulfur atom.
  5. Open the Set Label dropdown menu and select H.
  6. Click the new carbon atom to change it to a hydrogen atom.

    A sulfur atom connected to a carbon atom and a hydrogen atom by single bonds.

  7. Click single bond, and click the carbon atom.
  8. Select H, and click the new carbon atom.

    A carbon atom connected to a sulfur atom and a hydrogen atom by single bonds. The sulfur atom is connected to another hydrogen atom by a single bond.

  9. Click recessed bond, and click the carbon atom.
  10. Select H, and click the new carbon atom.

    A carbon atom connected to a sulfur atom and a hydrogen atom by single bonds, and another hydrogen atom by a recessed bond. The sulfur atom is connected to a third hydrogen atom by a single bond

  11. Click protruding bond, and click the carbon atom.
  12. Select H, and click the new carbon atom.

    A carbon atom connected to a sulfur atom and a hydrogen atom by single bonds, a second hydrogen atom by a recessed bond, and a third hydrogen atom by a protruding bond. The sulfur atom is connected to a fourth hydrogen atom by a single bond.