Ten Common Errors Found in Chemistry Research Papers

Category: Education

A research paper is the primary means of communication in science. The research paper presents the results of the experiment and interpretation of the data, describes the rationale and design of the experiment, provides a context for the results in terms of previous findings and assesses the overall success of the experiment(s). Chemistry research papers generally contain several chemical names, chemical descriptors, and variables, and most commonly seen errors while doing research paper editing in Chemistry papers are related to these factors. Here, I will discuss 10 common errors. Italicization Cis and trans compounds are isomers of one another, the difference being in the position of the hydrogen atoms attached to the two carbons forming a double bond in an unsaturated hydrocarbon chain. Many-a-times, these descriptors are not italicized in Chemistry papers. However, according to convention, these chemical descriptors have to be italicized. Examples: trans-1,2 –dichloroethane, cis-1,2-dichloroethane Other descriptors that need to be italicized are n-, iso-, sec-, and tert- Capitalization Another type of error frequently observed while chemistry research paper editing is capitalization of chemical names. This can also be confusing at times. According to convention, the names of chemicals are not capitalized unless they are the first word of a sentence. In such a case, the first letter of the syllabic portion is capitalized, not the descriptor or a prefix. Note that prefixes such as Tris- and Bis- (which are not italicized) are considered part of the name. The following table shows a few examples. Within sentence Beginning a sentence 7-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-naphthol 7-(4-Chlorophenyl)-1-naphthol cis-1,2-dichloroethene cis-1,2-Dichloroethene tris(β-chloroethyl)amine Tris(β-chloroethyl)amine Hyphenation Hyphenation is another area in which most people go wrong. In Chemistry papers, a hyphen needs to be inserted after stereochemical prefixes in a chemical name. Examples: cis-stilbene and 1,2-dichlorobenzene. Spacing In Chemistry research paper editing, spacing errors are usually observed in complex chemical names. For example, 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydroisoquinoline. In such cases, no space is to be added after the comma (,). Style A type of compounds commonly encountered in Chemistry papers is dextro and levo compounds. What are these dextro and levo compounds? An optical isomer can be named by the spatial configuration of its atoms. The D/L system (named after Latin dexter and laevus, right and left) commonly features in Chemistry papers, and there is a specific style related to this nomenclature. “D-” and “L-” are typically typeset in small caps. They can sometimes be italicized, depending on the style format of the target journal. In many papers, these are typed in normal caps. However, they have to be typed in small caps. Example: d-Glyceraldehyde, l-Glyceraldehyde. Isotopes Papers related to Radiochemistry mention a lot about isotopes, and presentation of isotopes follows a convention. Isotopes can be written in two ways: (1) use a mass number written as a left superscript to the element symbol (e.g., 13C, 235U) and (2) use the spelled-out element name hyphenated to its mass number (e.g., carbon-13, uranium-235). A lot of times while research paper editing; we come across isotopes named 13carbon, which is incorrect. Isotopes have to be written in either of the ways mentioned above. Indices in Crystallography There is a specific convention to write indices, and there is a high probability of error in such cases. According to convention, when indices (symbolic vector representations of the orientation of an atomic plane in a crystal lattice) are used with spelled-out element names, separate the name of the element and the index with a space (e.g., copper (111)). When indices are used with element symbols, close up the element symbol to the index (e.g., Cu (111)). Polymer Writing polymer names or graphically representing a polymer generally involves a high probability of error related to dashes and brackets. The following conventions apply: All polymer names have the prefix poly, followed by enclosing marks around the rest of the name. The marks are used in the order: {[( )]} For graphical representation, the bonds between atoms can be omitted, but dashes should be drawn for chain-ends. The seniority of the subunits does not need to be followed. For single-strand (co)polymers, a dash is drawn through the enclosing marks, e.g., poly[oxy(ethane-1,2-diyl)] shown below left. For irregular polymers, the constitutional units are separated by slashes, and the dashes are drawn inside the enclosing marks. End-groups are connected using additional dashes outside of the enclosing marks, e.g., α-methyl-ω-hydroxy-poly[oxirane-co-(methyloxirane)], shown below right. Poly[oxy(ethane-1,2-diyl)] (left) and α-methyl-ω-hydroxy-poly[oxirane-co-(methyloxirane)] (right). Bonds In Chemistry papers, there is a specific convention to denote a bond. When necessary for discussion, an en dash is used to indicate a bond (e.g., C–H). Three centered dots (middle dots) are used to indicate an association of an unspecified type, such as hydrogen bonding, bond formation, and bond breaking (e.g., C···Pt). A lot of times, these conventions are used interchangeably. However, that is a grave error. And last but not the least, Typographical Errors Chemistry papers generally contain many typos pertaining to chemical names you would come across while research paper editing. Example: Sometimes, methanal and methanol are used interchangeably. The only small error is “a”/“o.” However, as known, methanal is an aldehyde and methanol is an alcohol. Here, a small error is actually a grave technical error.