Reaction Mode

Activating reaction mode

Click the reaction mode toggle in the toolbar to switch from molecule editing to reaction scheme editing. A visible mode indicator confirms when reaction mode is active.

In reaction mode, the editor provides reaction arrow tools for drawing multi-step reaction schemes. The molecule context badge in the chat panel updates to show reactant and product counts.

Drawing reaction schemes

Use the arrow tools to connect reactants to products. You can draw multi-step sequences with intermediate structures. The editor treats each side of an arrow as a separate reaction participant.

RXN format

Reaction schemes export as RXN format — the standard file format for representing chemical reactions with explicit reactant/product assignments. If you attempt to export a reaction scheme as MOL V2000, the editor warns that reaction schemes require RXN format.

RXN files can be imported back into ChemStitch or opened in other chemistry software that supports the MDL RXN specification.

Switching between modes

Toggle reaction mode off to return to standard molecule editing. Your canvas content is preserved when switching modes. Use molecule mode for single-structure work and reaction mode when you need to represent transformations.