Illustrations

1.0 Preparation of illustrations

1.1 Image quality

• Illustrations should be supplied as electronic files which conform to the guidelines given in the 'Acceptable Formats' section of the RSC 'Author Guidelines' web pages.
• If illustrations are unavailable in electronic format, high quality originals should be sent as hardcopy. Photocopies and printouts from inkjet printers are rarely suitable for print reproduction.                           

1.2 Image size

• Illustrations should fit within either single column (8.3 cm) or double column (17.1 cm) width, and must be no longer than 23.3 cm.
• Graphical abstracts should be no larger than 8 x 4 cm. 
• Artwork should be submitted at its final size so that reduction is not required.                             

1.3 Text in illustrations

• Lettering should be in 7 point Arial font (or Helvetica if Arial is unavailable).
• Labelled atoms in ORTEP (or other) diagrams should have (selected) atom numbers in parentheses, e.g. Cl(1), C(12).
• For graphs, axis labels should use SI units, separated from quantities with a solidus ( ' / ' ) not parentheses, e.g. /nm, T/K; percent (%) and parts per million (ppm), however, should be given in parentheses.
• Units should be in the form, e.g. g cm^-3 rather than g/cm³.
• Symbols representing physical quantities should be given in italics, e.g. E/V, t/s.
• Curves should be labelled (A), (B), (C) etc. and parts of figures (a), (b), (c) etc., and further information given in the figure legend.                      

1.4 Line drawings

• Lines should be black, of an adequate and even thickness (e.g. 1 pt) and curves should be smooth.
• Broken, dotted and dash-dot lines can be used.
• Particular care should be taken to ensure that the lines in spectra are of an adequate thickness.
• Mark data points on graphs with simple geometric symbols: 
• Avoid shading (tints) that simulate grey and use cross-hatching if appropriate.                      

1.5 Structural formulae

• Structural formulae should ideally be prepared with chemistry drawing software (e.g. ChemDraw, ChemWindows, ISIS/Draw), using the settings given below.     
  
  
  • Chain bond angle = 120^o
  • Fixed bond angle = 15^o
  • Bond length = 0.43 cm or 12.2 pt
  • Bond width = 0.016 cm or 0.5 pt
  • Bold bond width = 0.056 cm or 1.6 pt
  • Double bond space = 20% of bond length
  • Stereo bond width = 0.056 cm or 1.6 pt
  • Hash spacing = 0.062 cm or 1.8 pt
  • Captions/atom labels = Arial/Helvetica, 7 pt                 
  
  
• Number structures with bold arabic numerals, e.g. 1, 2.
• Schemes and structures should be drawn to make best use of single and double column widths.                      

1.6 Colour

• Colour should only be used where scientifically necessary, unless otherwise stated for a specific journal.
• Avoid shading (tints) and use solid, clearly distinct colours.                      

1.7 Photographs

• Please provide either high quality digital images (see Acceptable formats) or original prints. Computer print-outs or photocopies will not reproduce well enough for publication.
• Colour photographs rarely reproduce satisfactorily in black and white.  

1.8 ChemDraw files

• Where ever possible, please send all ChemDraw files with the final version of your manuscript. ChemDraw structures facilitate article enhancements such as those in the Prospect View, as they can be machine-processed to yield useful information.