Enantiomer, 2000, Vol 5, pp 571-583

One-Wedge Convention for Stereochemical Representations

S.-K. Lin, L. Patiny, A. Yerin, J. L. Wisniewski and B. Testa

Abstract

Various bonds used for specification of absolute configuration, e.g. the two types of solid wedge and broken wedge representation most frequently seen in literature, can be replaced by only one kind of wedge, namely the solid wedge. Only one wedge should be used when representing a quadrivalent center. The three normal bonds are distributed on a cone opposite to the wedge. The flexibility, simplicity, unambiguity and usefulness for R-S specification of the one-wedge system are discussed, as well as its esthetic appeal.