Term: skeletal formula
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.08208

Definition:
Two-dimensional representation of a molecular entity in which bonds are indicated as lines between vertices representing octet carbon atoms with attached hydrogens omitted and in which other atoms are represented by their chemical symbols.

Example: Ethanol, cyclohexene, 4-pyridone [image]

Example: Array

Image: skeletal formula (https://goldbook.iupac.org/img/inline/08208.jpg) 

Source: PAC, 2022, 94, 353. 'Glossary of terms used in physical organic chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 2021)' on page 503 (https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2018-1010)

Citation: 'skeletal 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.08208

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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