3.1.2. Drawing a reaction step rule

In addition to the movements of bonds a reaction step rule allows to move charges and electrons. Electrons are moved for example in reactions involving radicals.

To draw an arrow in a reaction step rule that moves a charge from an expression to a target expression select Move charge under the menu Rules, press the mouse button with the cursor at less than 8 pixels from the first expression (that carries the charge that should be moved) and successively release it at less than 8 pixels from the target expression. An arrow appears pointing from the charge to the target expression.

To draw an arrow in a reaction step rule that separates an expression from a charge and adds a (single) bond between the expression and another expression, select Separate charge under the menu Rules, press the mouse button with the cursor at less than 8 pixels from the first expression (that carries the charge that should be separated) and successively release it at less than 8 pixels from the other expression. An arrow appears pointing from the first to the other expression.

To draw an arrow in a reaction step rule that breaks a bond between a first expression and a second one and attaches a charge on a third expression to the second one select Attach charge under the menu Rules, press the mouse button with the cursor in a position closer to the first than to the second expression, at less than 10 pixels from the line between the two expressions and at more than 8 pixels the from the first expression and successively release the mouse button at less than 8 pixels from the third expression. An arrow appears pointing from the line to the charge.

To draw an arrow in a reaction step rule that neutralizes two charges on distinct expressions select Neutralize charge under the menu Rules, press the mouse button with the cursor at less than 8 pixels from an expression and successively release it at less than 8 pixels from the other one. An arrow appears pointing from one charge to the other.

The choices Move electron, Separate electron, Attach electron, Neutralize electron under the menu Rules produce with electrons the same result as their charge correspondent. For clarity the Separate electron arrow has a small circle on its initial extremity.

Every selection from the menu Rules listed above can be canceled with cancel under Rules.

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