MolDraw Learn

How to show an electrostatic potential map

Beginner 4 min 2 steps

Short answer: Draw phenol here, then colour its 3D surface by charge with the MEP plugin.

You will learn to: Draw phenol; Open the MEP tab; Read the colour scale.

1 Watch demo2 Try in editor

Watch the demo

The molecule for this chapter, in about 15 seconds.

The steps in text

Step 1: Draw phenol

  1. Place benzene from the ring bar.
  2. Pick the single bond tool. Click the top ring atom.
  3. Pick O. Click the end of the new bond.

Step 2: Show the MEP surface

  1. Open the full editor in a new tab.
  2. Sign in. Install Electrostatic Potential (MEP) from Settings, Plugins.
  3. Draw phenol. Open the MEP tab.
  4. Click Show in 3D.
  5. Come back and click

Try it in the editor

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

Questions and answers

How are the charges calculated?

MolDraw uses Gasteiger partial charges.

What do the colours mean?

Red is electron-rich. Blue is electron-poor.

For more detail, read the guide in the docs.