Chemistry's Curly Arrow Hits 100

The simple visual aid has illustrated the inner workings of chemical reactions for a century, and it’s still pointing the way to fresh discoveries.

Chemistry

Current Issue

This Article From Issue

November-December 2022

Volume 110, Number 6
Page 338

DOI: 10.1511/2022.110.6.338

Scientists love to create simple tools to cut through complexity. Biologists use just four letters to codify genetic information. Isaac Newton and others developed calculus to describe continuously changing variables. Physicists use vectors to express physical laws in compact form. In the molecular world, chemists follow reactions by tracking electrons using . . . little curly arrows. Modern chemistry is brimming with these dynamic darts, and using them well is a badge of honor that chemists wear proudly.

The Royal Society of Chemistry

To access the full article, please log in or subscribe.

American Scientist Comments and Discussion

To discuss our articles or comment on them, please share them and tag American Scientist on social media platforms. Here are links to our profiles on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

If we re-share your post, we will moderate comments/discussion following our comments policy.