MolDraw Learn

How to draw stereochemistry with wedge and hash bonds

Beginner 5 min 3 steps

Short answer: Change a bond at a stereocenter to a wedge or hash bond. Turn on R and S labels in Settings to see the configuration.

You will learn to: Load a structure from SMILES; Make a wedge bond at a stereocenter; Show R and S labels.

1 Watch demo2 Try in editor

Watch the demo

Stereochemistry in about 20 seconds.

The steps in text

Step 1: Load butan-2-ol

  1. Click Paste SMILES in the top row.
  2. Type CCC(C)O and press Enter.

Step 2: Make the C to O bond a wedge

  1. Pick Wedge up in the bond menu.
  2. Click the middle of the bond between the stereocenter and O.

Step 3: Show R and S labels

  1. Click Settings (the gear) in the tools row.
  2. Turn on R/S and E/Z labels. Close Settings.

Try it in the editor

The full MolDraw editor opens here. It loads when you open this tab.

Questions and answers

How do I show R and S labels?

Open Settings and turn on R/S and E/Z labels.

What is the difference between wedge and hash bonds?

A wedge points toward you. A hash points away from you.

Does MolDraw keep stereo in SMILES?

Yes. Copy SMILES includes @ and @@ for drawn stereocenters.

For more detail, read the guide in the docs.