Supplementary Data

1.0 Electronic Supplementary Information

1.1 Introduction

The RSC's Electronic Supplementary Information (ESI) service is a free facility that enables authors to enhance and increase the impact of their articles. Authors are encouraged to make the most of the benefits of publishing supplementary information in electronic form. Such data can take full advantage of the electronic medium, allowing use of full colour diagrams, 3D molecular models and even movies. Authors can also improve the readability of their articles by placing appropriate material, such as repetitive experimental details and bulky data, with the ESI service. All information in the ESI service is also fully archived.

Authors wishing to submit electronic supplementary information for an article should, where possible, supply data in one of the formats described in the 'Acceptable Formats' section of the RSC web site. Other formats may be supplied, and every effort will be made to use these where possible. It is intended that the ESI system should make full use of developing file types to allow authors to present their data in the most useful and interesting ways possible. If you are providing an unusual file type, please provide the Editorial Office with details of any additional software that would be required to view the files. Such software should be available freely, preferably via the web.

When preparing their ESI data files, authors should keep in mind the following points:

• ESI files are usually published 'as is'-Editorial staff won't normally edit the data for style or content
• Data is only useful if readers can access it-use common, widely known file formats
• Large files may prove difficult for users to download and access      

1.2 Text and graphics

The preferred format for ESI comprising text and graphics is Adobe's Portable Document Format (PDF), as this format can be accessed easily and reliably on most computing platforms using the freely available Adobe Acrobat Reader. For information on creating PDF files, see the 'Acceptable Formats' section of the RSC web site. Text files created using one of the other 'Acceptable Formats' can be submitted, however Editorial staff may convert them to PDF files before publication. Static 2D graphic files are best submitted as either PDF files (see above) or as GIF or JPEG files (maximum size 640 by 480 pixels). If other formats are submitted they will usually be converted to PDF files prior to publication.

1.3 Significant structures

Significant chemical structures can be made freely available for download as part of the ESI service. These should be supplied as either ChemDraw or ISISDraw files using the appropriate template.

1.4 Crystallographic Information Files (CIFs)

CIFs should be created in accordance with the instructions given in the 'Acceptable Formats' section of the RSC web site. Authors are also encouraged to use their CIFs to produce 3D molecular files.

1.5 3D files, spectral data files and movies

These file types exploit electronic publishing systems to the full, and authors are strongly encouraged to make use of them to support and enhance their articles. Files should be created in accordance with the instructions given in the 'Acceptable Formats' section of the RSC web site.

In addition, Molecular BioSystems now offers a new service that enables the 3D visualisation of complex molecules. This is made possible by using the PDB identification code to generate an image using FirstGlance in Jmol. To take advantage of this service, please provide the PDB identification code at submission.