Chemical Sketcher Widget

  • Updated

The Chemical Sketcher Widget is one of the built-in widgets available to all notebook members with edit access to the notebook. The widget makes it easy to draw molecular structures and chemical reactions using bond-line representations. It offers tools for creating atoms, bonds, chains, rings, annotations, and stoichiometry tables. Structures created through the Chemical Structure Widget are indexed and can be searched for using the Advanced Search menu. 

Complete_version_Chemical Sketch_Widget.png
Tip: If you already have an existing structure or reaction, use the Attachment Entry to upload the file or take a screenshot and paste the image directly into a Rich Text Entry. 

From the Add New Entry menu, select Widget, and then choose Chemical Sketcher from the menu. Click Use Chemical Sketcher to add the Widget to your LabArchives page. 

Widget_Menu_Chemical_Sketcher.png
Drawing a Structure

Point-Drawing Tool

Use this to place atoms one at a time on the canvas.

CHEMS02.png
  • Element Selection: Click the dropdown arrow to choose any element from the periodic table.
CHEMS04.png
  • Drawing Bonds: Connect atoms by clicking between them.
  • Bond Type: Adjust using the Bond Line Tool (e.g., single, double, triple). 
CHEMS05.png

Charge Tool

Modify atomic charges using the dropdown next to the charge icon. Add positive/negative charges, radicals, and lone pairs.

CHEMS07.png

Advanced Structure Tools

These tools help you quickly build larger or more complex molecules without drawing each atom and bond manually.

  • Carbon Chain Tool: Quickly build straight hydrocarbon chains.

CHEMS09.png

  • Cyclic Builder: Instantly add cyclopentane, cyclohexane, or benzene rings.

CHEMS10.png

  • Templates Database: Insert named structures from categorized chemical templates.

CHEMS12.png
Importing & Exporting Structures

Import a .MOL File

You can easily import molecular structures into the Chemical Sketcher using standard .mol files.

  1. Copy the .mol file contents to your clipboard.

  2. In LabArchives, go to Add Entry > Widget (or find it under More).

  3. Select the Chemical Sketcher widget.

  4. Click the folder icon to open the Load Molecule dialog.

CHEMS13.png

  1. Paste the .mol text and click Load.

  2. The structure will appear in the canvas.

  3. Click Save to Page to retain it in your notebook.

CHEMS15.png

Export a .MOL File

You can export any structure created in the Chemical Sketcher for use in other chemical software

  1. After drawing a molecule, click the Save icon.

  2. Copy the output .mol file and paste it into a text editor (e.g., Notepad).

  3. Save the file with a .mol extension for use in other applications.

Your structure is now ready to be opened in compatible chemical drawing or modeling software.

Drawing a Reaction

The Chemical Sketcher provides several tools to help you build and organize chemical reactions clearly and efficiently.

Text Annotator

Use this tool to label molecules, add reaction conditions (such as heat or acidic conditions), or include any descriptive notes. When you enter chemical formulas like C6H12O6, the widget automatically formats them with subscripts (e.g., C₆H₁₂O₆).

CHEMS17.png

Arrow Tool

Draw arrows to show reaction direction or electron movement. You can choose from forward arrows, equilibrium arrows, curved arrows for electron flow, as well as single-electron (fishhook) and electron-pair arrows.

CHEMS19.png

Flip Tool

This allows you to flip selected molecules horizontally or vertically, making it easier to align reactants and products within your reaction layout.

CHEMS21.png

Copy/Paste Tool

Quickly duplicate or rearrange molecules using cut, copy, and paste functions—ideal for editing complex reactions without redrawing structures.

CHEMS22.png
Adding a Stoichiometry Table to a Reaction

Stoichiometry tables help you calculate the relative quantities of substances involved in a reaction. Instead of doing the math manually—often a time-consuming and error-prone process—the Chemical Sketcher provides a built-in, self-calculating stoichiometry tool.

After drawing a balanced chemical reaction on the canvas, click the Create Stoichiometry Table button. Two tables will appear—one for Reactants and one for Products. The Formula and Molecular Molar Mass fields are automatically populated in the table. You can additionally use the tables to help calculate other parameters like amount, volume, or mass. As you edit values, the reaction balances are retained. 

Create_Stoichiometry_Chemical_Sketcher.png
Stoichiometry_table_Chemical_Sketcher.png

To enter data into the table, click on the cell and add the value and unit to the pop-up menu. Some fields may not require units (e.g., mole ratios). Fields like Formula and Molecular Mass are filled in automatically and cannot be edited. After inputting data, press Enter or click outside the cell—the table will automatically update the calculations.

editable_field_Chemical_Sketcher.png
Red_error_number_Chemical_ Sketcher.png
Note: If there’s incorrect or uncertain input, affected cells will appear in red. Double-check your values to correct the issue.

To reset the values in the table, click Create Stoichiometry Table and Overwrite to clear all the values. To completely remove the table, click Remove Stoichiometry Table button below the canvas. This action clears all values and deletes the tables.

Stoichiometry_Options_Chemical_Sketcher.png