Term: condensed formula
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.08158

Definition:
Linear representation of the structure of a molecular entity in which bonds are omitted.

Note: This term is sometimes also called a line formula, because it can be written on a single line, but the line formula explicitly shows all bonds.

Example: Methyl 3-methylbutyl ether (isoamyl methyl ether, <span title="substance">\(\ce{(CH3)2CHCH2CH2OCH3}\)</span>, sometimes condensed further to <span title="substance">\(\ce{(CH3)2CH[CH2]2OCH3}\)</span>.

Example: Array

Source: PAC, 2022, 94, 353. 'Glossary of terms used in physical organic chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 2021)' on page 389 (https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2018-1010)

Citation: 'condensed formula' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.08158

License: The IUPAC Gold Book is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike CC BY-SA 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) for individual terms.

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