The Johnstone Laboratory

Johnstone Lab Writing Tips

 

These are some common pitfalls that arise in writing chemistry papers. Some of the points below correct errors, others lay out conventions, still others are just matters of style. I ask that you adhere to these stylistic considerations in the writing that we will do together. Before sending anything to me, please do a check against these issues. In many cases, you can do a quick CTRL+F for a key word/phrase to see if the point applies anywhere in the document.

 

Follow the Manuscript Writing instructions. In particular, be sure to edit documents in Microsoft Word. Using Google Docs can cause compatibility issues with ChemDraw, MestreNova, Endnote, etc.

 

 

Any time “this,” “these,” or “that” is used, it should be followed by a noun.

✖ This is consistent with our hypothesis.

✔ This result is consistent with our hypothesis.

 

For numbers under 11, spell out the word, but not if you are giving a value-unit combination.

✖ To assess this, 4 experiments were performed at zero °C.

✔ To assess this trend, four experiments were performed at 0 °C.

 

Restrict the use of “since,” “while,” and “as” to instances where they convey temporal information.

✖ Compound 1 was a solid, while 2 was a liquid.

✔ Compound 1 was a solid, but 2 was a liquid.

 

Refrain from starting sentences with “However,…”

 

Avoid colloquialism like “rotovapped,” “crashed out,” “pumped down,” etc.

 

No space should be placed between an element and the opening parenthesis of an oxidation state specification.

✖ Conversely, the iron (III) compound was able to catalyze the reaction efficiently.

✔ Conversely, the iron(III) compound was able to catalyze the reaction efficiently.

 

In most cases, the phrases “in order to” and “shown/found to be” are unnecessary and should be removed to streamline the text.

✖ These experiments were performed in order to determine the extent of intracellular reduction.

✔ These experiments were performed to determine the extent of intracellular reduction.

 

✖ The C–C bond length was found to be 1.545(6) Å.

✔ The C–C bond length was 1.545(6) Å.

 

For space groups that have an overbar:

• Insert a field code by typing CTRL+F9, which opens a set of braces { }

• Fill them with {EQ \o(1,‾)}(for a “1 bar”)

• With cursor in the field code, type SHIFT+F9 and it will toggle (or right click on field code and select “Toggle field code”)

• Field codes are very powerful tools, read more online about how to use them

 

Compound adjectives should be hyphenated.

✔ CO-treated blood

✔ 10-mL aliquot

https://www.probizwriters.com/PBW-blog/index.php/hyphenating-phrasal-adjectives/

 

Use the Oxford comma. It can help to avoid ambiguities in complex lists.

✖ The assignment of the signals was confirmed using COSY, HSQC and HMBC NMR experiments.

✔ The assignment of the signals was confirmed using COSY, HSQC, and HMBC NMR experiments.

 

Ensure that there is a space between numerical values and their unit. An exception: angular measurements when the unit is the degree, arcminute, or arcsecond. Percentages are not value/unit combinations (so there is no space).

✖ The computed C–C–C angle (98.3 °) and Ti–N bond length (2.10Å) were each within 5 % of the corresponding experimental value.

✔ The computed C–C–C angle (98.3°) and Ti–N bond length (2.10 Å) were each within 5% of the corresponding experimental value.

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Use only one space after a sentence-ending punctuation mark.

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Number agreement: Make sure that there is agreement across number for articles, conjugation, etc. In particular, be aware of the fact that the word “spectra” is plural and the word “spectrum” is singular. Media is plural and medium is singular.

✖ An NMR spectra was collected.

✔ An NMR spectrum was collected.

✔ Multiple NMR spectra were collected.

 

More often than not, when using “NMR” it should be a modifier for a noun (usually "spectrum," "spectroscopy," or "experiment").

✖ The identity of 1 was confirmed using NMR.

✔ The identity of 1 was confirmed using NMR spectroscopy.

 

Rarely is “utilize” necessary. There will be some niche instances where it is the better term to use, but more often than not, just use “use.”

 

Be aware that when comparing molar/molecular amounts, we frequently use units of “equivalents.” This is distinct from “equivalence”. Because we typically abbreviate “equivalent(s)” to equiv, this is typically more of an issue when speaking than writing, but it can come up.

✖ The reaction required one equivalence of X.

✔ The reaction required one equivalent of X.

 

Capitalization: Element and chemical names are not capitalized unless they come at the beginning of a sentence.

✖ The reaction proceeded smoothly with Bromobenzene.

✔ The reaction proceeded smoothly with bromobenzene.

 

Capitalization: If there is a stereochemical prefix, the name following the prefix is capitalized.

✖ Cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) is a widely used anticancer agent.

✔ cis-Diamminedichloroplatinum(II) is a widely used anticancer agent.

 

When describing atoms, refer to them as atoms, not just as the element.

✖ The chlorines were refined anisotropically.

✔ The chlorine atoms were refined anisotropically.

 

The meaning of “comprise” is “to be composed of” so it is not followed by “of”.

✖ The experiment was performed using a three-electrode system comprised of a glassy carbon working electrode, a Ag/AgCl reference electrode, and a Pt wire counter electrode. 

✔ The experiment was performed using a three-electrode system comprising a glassy carbon working electrode, a Ag/AgCl reference electrode, and a Pt wire counter electrode. 

✔ The experiment was performed using a three-electrode system composed of a glassy carbon working electrode, a Ag/AgCl reference electrode, and a Pt wire counter electrode. 

✔ The experiment was performed using a three-electrode system consisting of a glassy carbon working electrode, a Ag/AgCl reference electrode, and a Pt wire counter electrode. 

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The word data is plural, and verbs should be conjugated accordingly. The singular is datum but data point is usually preferable.

✖ This data demonstrates the feasibility of the project.

✔ These data demonstrate the feasibility of the project.

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When used as pronouns, "that" and "which" serve different functions. "That" serves to introduce a restrictive clause. "Which" is used to introduce a non-restrictive clause. They have different meanings. When using "which," be sure to place a comma before it.

✖ The current revolution in main-group chemistry which began 20 years ago has changed the way we think about the p-block elements.

✔ The current revolution in main-group chemistry, which began 20 years ago, has changed the way we think about the p-block elements.

✔ The revolution in main-group chemistry that began 20 years ago has changed the way we think about the p-block elements.