Project 6 - ChemDraw

For this final project, I chose to discuss the program ChemDraw.  ChemDraw is part of a Chemistry Office series for drawing chemistry and biology related structures and other images.  Similar to Microsoft Paint, ChemDraw begins with a blank canvas and contains a toolbar, which allows one to do several functions.   

For Chemistry, it makes a great workstation for building molecular structures and reactions, naming the structures drawn, and also converting back and forth between 2D and 3D models.  Structures can be created from scratch, chosen from starting molecules, or edited from pre-existing molecules.  Additionally, calculations can be taken from the structure allowing the editing feature one step further.  Having drawn a structure, the program can calculate a variety of its properties or alter the angles and bonds of a molecule. On a more advanced level, this program also helps identify stereochemistry and interpret chirality. It also serves to interpret analytical features such as NMR and IR data.

It can be used by both students and teachers.  It is much more convenient for a teacher to draw molecules using this program, than using a non-scientific comparable program like Paint or Microsoft Draw.  Students can also benefit from utilizing this program because they will learn how to draw molecules, name molecules, and also explore the molecule in 3-D without having to use model kits.  It provides a quick and convenient way of analyzing physical properties of molecules with formulas, molecular weights, compositions, and mass. 

Below I have attached 3 samples using ChemDraw.

The first is the molecule of benzene I created and analyzed with ChemDraw.  Upon drawing the benzene ring, there is a tab that analyzes the physical properties of the specific structure.

The second is a reaction I drew of arginine and glycine to synthesize creatine. Notice the arrows with side arrows and equilibrium arrows.  These shapes and images would be much more difficult to draw in Microsoft Paint!

 

The third is an example (sample taken from ChemDraw) to illustrate the versatility of this program and some neat ways it can be used for other subjects like biology.  Many of these cell images are like stamps that already exist in this program.  You can pick and chose which stamp you want to use and move it around much like how Microsoft Paint allows you to use clip art images.

All in all, this is a great tool to use in the science classroom.  It provides an educational and creative opportunity for students and teachers.  The only limitation to this software is the cost and availability.  I discovered this resource when I attended the University of Minnesota, however I am not sure how widely used it is in high schools and other public institutions.  Unfortunately, in order to create and edit such saved examples, one would actually need to install the software.  Once installed, you are able to save your drafts as PDF or JPG files, which can then be accessed more freely... which I had to do in this case to spotlight my examples above!