How-to steps, FAQ and related Ferrum tools
What Is a Molecule Editor?
A molecule editor lets you draw chemical bond structures in two dimensions (2D), export them as SMILES text notation and instantly preview the corresponding three-dimensional (3D) model. Ferrum Molecule Editor combines the drawing workspace and 3D viewer on one page.
It is designed especially for organic chemistry, Lewis structures and exam preparation — building skills in structure drawing, functional group recognition and structure–property reasoning. Quick chips cover aspirin, glucose, benzene and caffeine; you can also search by name or SMILES (e.g. CCO for ethanol).
To go deeper, read our how to draw Lewis structures guide, the AYT organic chemistry functional groups article, and explore 3D tools in chemistry lab on your phone.
How to Use the Molecule Editor
Search or quick-pick a molecule
Type a molecule name (aspirin, glucose) or SMILES code (CCO = ethanol) in the search bar. Click chips for popular molecules to load 2D structures from PubChem into the editor.
Draw or edit the 2D structure
Use Ketcher tools for atoms, bonds, rings and functional groups. The SMILES line updates automatically on every change.
Check the SMILES output
The SMILES field below the editor is a machine-readable shorthand for your structure. Copy it for homework, reports or verification.
Inspect the 3D preview
The right panel loads a 3D model (PubChem SDF) matching your drawing. Switch ball+stick and other styles to study geometry and conformation.
Save as PNG (sign-in required)
Sign in to your Ferrum account and use Download PNG to export a high-resolution 2D structure image for slides or assignments.
Who Is It For?
High-School & Exam Organic Chemistry
Functional group ID, isomer drawing, reaction mechanism reading and pre-checking structures before problem solving. The 2D–3D bridge helps organic and biochemistry topics.
Homework & Projects
Draw structures for lab reports, presentations or science fair projects. PNG export gives images you can paste into Word or PowerPoint.
University General & Organic Chemistry
Quick 3D checks for stereochemistry, conformation analysis and spectroscopy courses. Share and compare structures via SMILES.
Teachers & Content Creators
Produce standard chemical drawings for lesson materials, quizzes and digital whiteboard sessions. Part of the Ferrum 3D Tools ecosystem.
Key Features
- Professional Ketcher 2D editor (atoms, bonds, rings, templates)
- Live SMILES generation as you draw
- PubChem name/SMILES search and 22+ quick-pick molecules
- Automatic 2D → 3D preview via PubChem 3D SDF
- Ball+stick and other 3D display modes
- PNG export for signed-in users
- Mobile-friendly, free core features
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ketcher editor?
Ketcher is an open-source chemical structure editor widely used in academia and industry. It provides professional drawing tools: atoms, bonds, ring templates, stereochemistry and cleanup. Ferrum runs Ketcher in standalone browser mode.
What is the difference between 2D drawing and 3D preview?
The 2D editor matches paper-style Lewis/organic drawings on a flat plane. The 3D preview shows real spatial geometry — bond angles and conformation — as a ball+stick model. As you draw on the left, Ferrum fetches 3D coordinates from PubChem when available.
How does PubChem search work?
When you enter a name or SMILES, Ferrum calls the PubChem REST API to fetch 2D SDF for the editor and, when possible, 3D SDF for preview.
Is a 3D model available for every molecule?
No. Some structures lack 3D coordinates in PubChem or are too large. In those cases only the 2D editor is shown; SMILES still works.
Why is sign-in required for PNG download?
PNG export generates a high-resolution structure image tied to your Ferrum account. Drawing, search, SMILES and 3D preview remain free without sign-in.
Is the molecule editor free?
Yes. Core features — drawing, search, SMILES and 3D preview — are completely free. Only PNG download requires a free Ferrum account.
Does it work on mobile?
Yes. The page is responsive; editor and 3D panel stack vertically on small screens. A tablet or desktop is more comfortable for detailed drawing.
Which molecules are available as quick picks?
Aspirin, caffeine, paracetamol, ibuprofen, nicotine, cholesterol, penicillin, benzene, ethanol, acetone, glucose, fructose, sucrose, urea, citric acid, vitamin C, adenine, ATP, naphthalene, phenol, chloroform and more.
Related Ferrum Tools
About Ferrum Molecule Editor
Ferrum Molecule Editor is a free web tool for students who want to practice structure drawing for high-school and university entrance exams. Draw and verify exam molecules, visualize functional groups and export structure images for assignments. It works alongside the periodic table, mole calculator, 3D molecule library and simulations in Ferrum's chemistry study ecosystem.