path: root/Master/texmf-dist/doc/latex/chemmacros/chemformula_en.tex

% arara: pdflatex
% !arara: biber
% !arara: pdflatex
% arara: pdflatex
% --------------------------------------------------------------------------
% the CHEMMACROS bundle
%   chemformula_en.tex
% macros and commands for chemists
% --------------------------------------------------------------------------
% Clemens Niederberger
% --------------------------------------------------------------------------
% https://bitbucket.org/cgnieder/chemmacros/
% contact@mychemistry.eu
% --------------------------------------------------------------------------
% If you have any ideas, questions, suggestions or bugs to report, please
% feel free to contact me.
% --------------------------------------------------------------------------
% Copyright 2011-2013 Clemens Niederberger
%
% This work may be distributed and/or modified under the
% conditions of the LaTeX Project Public License, either version 1.3
% of this license or (at your option) any later version.
% The latest version of this license is in
%   http://www.latex-project.org/lppl.txt
% and version 1.3 or later is part of all distributions of LaTeX
% version 2005/12/01 or later.
%
% This work has the LPPL maintenance status `maintained'.
%
% The Current Maintainer of this work is Clemens Niederberger.
% --------------------------------------------------------------------------
\documentclass[load-preamble+]{cnltx-doc}
\usepackage[greek=newtx]{chemmacros}
\setcnltx{
  package  = {chemformula},
  title    = \huge the \chemmacros\ bundle,
  url      = https://bitbucket.org/cgnieder/chemmacros/ ,
  authors  = Clemens Niederberger ,
  email    = contact@mychemistry.eu ,
  info     = {
    packages \chemmacros\ (v\csname chemmacros@version\endcsname),
    \chemformula\ (v\csname chemformula@version\endcsname),
    \ghsystem\ (v\csname ghsystem@version\endcsname) and
    \chemgreek\ (v\csname chemgreek@version\endcsname)\\[2ex]
    {\Large documentation for the \chemformula\ package}} ,
  abstract = {%
    \centering
    \includegraphics{chemmacros-logo.pdf}
    \par
  } ,
  add-cmds = {
     abinitio, AddRxnDesc, anti, aq, aqi,
     ba, bond, bridge,
    cd, ch, charrow, chcpd, chemabove, Chemalpha, Chembeta, Chemgamma,
      Chemdelta, ChemDelta, chemformula@bondlength, Chemomega, chemsetup,
      chlewis, chname , cip, cis, ch, CNMR,
    data, DeclareChemArrow, DeclareChemBond, DeclareChemBondAlias,
      DeclareChemIUPAC, DeclareChemLatin, DeclareChemNMR, DeclareChemParticle,
      DeclareChemPhase, DeclareChemReaction, DeclareChemState,
      delm, delp, Delta, Dfi,
    el, ElPot, endo, Enthalpy, enthalpy, Entropy,
    fmch, fpch, fscrm, fscrp,
    gas, ghs, ghslistall, ghspic, Gibbs, gram,
    hapto, HNMR, Helmholtz,
    insitu, invacuo, iupac,
    Ka, Kb, Kw,
    Lfi, listofreactions, lqd, ltn,
    mch, mega, meta, mhName,
    newman, NMR, Nu, Nuc,
    orbital, ortho, ox, OX,
    para, pch, per, pH, phase, photon, pKa, pKb, pOH, pos, positron,
    Pot, prt,
    Rad, redox, RenewChemArrow, RenewChemBond, RenewChemIUPAC,
      RenewChemLatin, RenewChemNMR, RenewChemParticle, RenewChemPhase,
      RenewChemState,
    Sf, scrm, scrp, second, setchemformula, ShowChemArrow, ShowChemBond,
      sld, Sod, State,
    trans,
    val
  } ,
  add-silent-cmds = {
    addplot,
    bottomrule,
    cancel, cdot, ce, cee, celsius, centering, chemfig, chemname, clap,
      cnsetup, color, cstack, cstsetup,
    DeclareInstance, DeclareSIUnit, definecolor, draw,
    electronvolt,
    footnotesize,
    glqq, grqq,
    hertz, hspace,
    includegraphics, intertext, IUPAC,
    joule,
    kilo,
    latin, lewis, Lewis,
    metre, midrule, milli, mmHg, mole,
    nano, nicefrac, num, numrange,
    ominus, oplus,
    percent, pgfarrowsdeclarealias, pgfarrowsrenewalias,
    renewtagform, rightarrow,
    sample, scriptscriptstyle, setatomsep, setbondoffset, sfrac, shorthandoff,
      si, SI, sisetup, square, subsection,
    textcolor, textendash, textsuperscript, tiny, toprule,
    upbeta, upeta, upgamma, usetikzlibrary,
    volt, vphantom, vspave,
    xspace
  }
}

\usepackage{chemfig,booktabs,cancel,varioref}
\usepackage[version=3]{mhchem}

% \usepackage{fontspec}
% \usepackage[oldstyle,proportional]{libertine}
\expandafter\def\csname libertine@figurestyle\endcsname{LF}
\usepackage[libertine]{newtxmath}
\expandafter\def\csname libertine@figurestyle\endcsname{OsF}

% \usepackage{libertinehologopatch}
% \setmonofont[Scale=MatchLowercase]{Bitstream Vera Sans Mono}

% \usepackage{selnolig}

\usepackage[biblatex]{embrac}
\ChangeEmph{[}[,.02em]{]}[.055em,-.08em]
\ChangeEmph{(}[-.01em,.04em]{)}[.04em,-.05em]

\usepackage[accsupp]{acro}
\acsetup{
  long-format  = \scshape ,
  short-format = \scshape
}
\DeclareAcronym{ghs}{
  short     = ghs ,
  long      = Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of
    Chemicals ,
  pdfstring = GHS ,
  accsupp   = GHS
}
\DeclareAcronym{eu}{
  short     = EU ,
  long      = European Union ,
  pdfstring = EU ,
  accsupp   = EU
}
\DeclareAcronym{iupac}{
  short     = iupac ,
  long      = International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry ,
  pdfstring = IUPAC ,
  accsupp   = IUPAC
}
\DeclareAcronym{UN}{
  short     = un ,
  long      = United Nations ,
  pdfstring = UN ,
  accsupp   = UN
}
\DeclareAcronym{dvi}{
  short     = dvi ,
  long      = device independent file format ,
  pdfstring = DVI ,
  accsupp   = DVO
}
\DeclareAcronym{pdf}{
  short     = pdf ,
  long      = portable document file ,
  pdfstring = PDF ,
  accsupp   = PDF
}

\chemsetup{
  option/synchronize ,
  chemformula/format = \libertineLF
}
% \colorlet{chemformula}{black!90}

\sisetup{
  detect-mode=false,
  mode=text,
  text-rm=\libertineLF
}

\usepackage{filecontents}

\addbibresource{\jobname.bib}
\begin{filecontents*}{\jobname.bib}
@book{iupac:greenbook,
  author    = {E. Richard Cohan and Tomislav Cvita\v{s} and Jeremy G. Frey and
    Bertil Holmstr\"om and Kozo Kuchitsu and Roberto Marquardt and Ian Mills and
    Franco Pavese and Martin Quack and J\"urgen Stohner and Herbert L. Strauss and
    Michio Takami and Anders J Thor} ,
  title     = {``Quantities, Symbols and Units in Physical Chemistry'', \acs{iupac}
    Green Book} ,
  sorttitle = {Quantities, Symbols and Units in Physical Chemistry} ,
  indexsorttitle = {Quantities, Symbols and Units in Physical Chemistry} ,
  edition   = {3rd Edition. 2nd Printing} ,
  year      = {2008} ,
  publisher = {\acs{iupac} \&\ RSC Publishing, Cambridge}
}
@book{iupac:redbook,
  author    = {Neil G. Connelly and Ture Damhus and Richard M. Hartshorn and
    Alan T. Hutton} ,
  title     = {``Nomenclature of Inorganic Chemistry'', \acs{iupac} Red Book} ,
  sorttitle = {Nomenclature of Inorganic Chemistry} ,
  indexsorttitle = {Nomenclature of Inorganic Chemistry} ,
  year      = {2005} ,
  publisher = { \acs{iupac} \&\ RSC Publishing, Cambridge} ,
  isbn      = {0-85404-438-8}
}
@misc{eu:ghsystem_regulation,
  author   = {{The European Parliament and The Council of the European Union}},
  title    = {Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of
    the Council} ,
  subtitle = {on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and
    mixtures, amending and repealing Directives 67/548/EEC and 1999/45/EC, and
    amending Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006} ,
  journal  = {Official Journal of the European Union} ,
  date     = {2008-12-16}
}
@online{unece:ghsystem_implementation,
  author   = {United Nations Economic Commission for Europe} ,
  title    = {GHS Implementation} ,
  url      =
    {http://www.unece.org/trans/danger/publi/ghs/implementation_e.html} ,
  urldate  = {2012-03-20} ,
  date     = {2012-03-20}
}
\end{filecontents*}

\DeclareInstance{xfrac}{chemformula-text-frac}{text}
  {
    scale-factor        = 1 ,
    denominator-bot-sep = -.2ex ,
    denominator-format  = \scriptsize #1 ,
    numerator-top-sep   = -.2ex ,
    numerator-format    = \scriptsize #1 ,
    slash-right-kern    = .05em ,
    slash-left-kern     = .05em
  }

\usetikzlibrary{calc,positioning,decorations.pathmorphing,patterns}

\newpackagename\chemmacros{chemmacros}
% \newpackagename\chemformula{chemformula}
\newpackagename\ghsystem{ghsystem}
\newpackagename\chemgreek{chemgreek}


\newidxcmd\manual{\textsf{#1}}[\ (manual)]

\newenvironment{codedesc}
  {%
    \def\Code##1{\item\code{##1}\hfill\newline}%
    \cnltxlist
  }
  {\endcnltxlist}

\renewcommand*\AmS{\hologo{AmS}}

\newcommand*\TikZ{Ti\textit{k}Z}

\newname\hensel{Martin}{Hensel}

\begin{document}

\section{Introduction}
Probably every chemist using \LaTeXe\ is aware of the great \pkg{mhchem}
package by \hensel.  There have always been some difficulties intertwining it
with \chemmacros, though.  Also, some other minor points in \pkg{mhchem}
always bothered me, but they hardly seemed enough for a new package.  They
weren't even enough for a feature request to the \pkg{mhchem} author.  The
challenge and the fun of creating a new package and the wish for a highly
customizable alternative led to \chemformula\ after all.

\chemformula\ works very similar to \pkg{mhchem} but is more strict as to how
compounds, stoichiometric factors and arrows are input.  In the same time
\chemformula\ offers \emph{many} possibilities to customize the output.

\section{News}
\subsection{Version 4.0}
Since version 4.0\sinceversion{4.0}, the \chemformula\ package can be used
independently from \chemmacros.  This means that if you say
\begin{sourcecode}
  \usepackage{chemformula}
\end{sourcecode}
then \chemmacros\ will not be loaded.  The \chemmacros\ package, however,
\emph{will} load \chemformula.

\subsection{Version 4.2}
\begin{itemize}
  \item New option \option{arrow-style}.
  \item New command \cs{chlewis} that allows to add Lewis electrons to an
    atom, see section~\ref{sec:lewis-formulae}.
\end{itemize}

\section{Licence and Requirements}
\license

The \chemformula\ package needs and thus loads the packages
\bnd{l3kernel}~\cite{bnd:l3kernel}, \pkg{xparse}, \pkg{l3keys2e} and
\pkg{xfrac} (all three are part of the \bnd{l3packages}
bundle~\cite{bnd:l3packages}),
\pkg{tikz}\footnote{\CTANurl[graphics]{pgf}}~\cite{pkg:pgf},
\pkg{amsmath}~\cite{pkg:amsmath}, \pkg{nicefrac}~\cite{pkg:nicefrac} and
\pkg{scrlfile} (from the \KOMAScript\footnote{\CTANurl{koma-script}}
bundle~\cite{bnd:koma-script}).

\section{Setup}
All of \chemformula's options belong to \chemmacros' module
\module{chemformula}.  This means they can be setup with
\begin{commands}
  \command{chemsetup}[\Oarg{chemformula}\marg{options}]
    Set up options for \chemformula\ exclusively, or
  \command{chemsetup}[\Marg{chemformula/\meta{option1},chemformula/\meta{option2}}]
    Set up options for \chemformula\ together with others of \chemmacros'
    options.
\end{commands}
However, if you're using \chemformula\ as a standalone package the command
\cs{chemsetup} is not available.  This is why \chemformula\ also has its own
setup command:
\begin{commands}
  \command{setchemformula}[\marg{options}]
    Set up \chemformula\ when using it independently from \chemmacros.
\end{commands}

\section{The Basic Principle}
\chemformula\ offers one main command.
\begin{commands}
  \command{ch}[\oarg{options}\marg{input}]
    \chemformula's main command.
\end{commands}
The usage will seem very familiar to you if you're familiar with \pkg{mhchem}:
\begin{example}[side-by-side]
  \ch{H2O} \par
  \ch{Sb2O3} \par
  \ch{H+} \par
  \ch{CrO4^2-} \par
  \ch{AgCl2-} \par
  \ch{[AgCl2]-} \par
  \ch{Y^{99}+} \par
  \ch{Y^{99+}} \par
  \ch{H2_{(aq)}} \par
  \ch{NO3-} \par
  \ch{(NH4)2S} \par
  \ch{^{227}_{90}Th+} \par
  $V_{\ch{H2O}}$ \par
  \ch{Ce^{IV}} \par
  \ch{KCr(SO4)2 * 12 H2O}
\end{example}

However, there are differences.  The most notable one: \chemformula\
distinguishes between different types of input.  These different parts
\emph{have} to be separated with blanks:
\begin{commands}
  \command{ch}[\Marg{part1 part2 part3 part4}]
\end{commands}
A blank in the input \emph{never} is a blank in the output.  This role of the
blank strictly holds and disregarding it can have unexpected results and even
lead to errors.

Another notable difference: \chemformula\ tries to avoid math mode whenever
possible:
\begin{example}[side-by-side]
  \ch{A + B ->[a] C} \par
  \ce{A + B ->[a] C}
\end{example}

This means that \cs{ch}\Marg{2H2O} is recognized as a \emph{single} part,
which in this case is recognized as a compound.
\begin{example}[side-by-side]
  \ch{2H2O} \par
  \ch{2 H2O}
\end{example}
This also means, that a part cannot contain a blank since this will
automatically divide it into two parts.  If you need an extra blank in the
output you need to use \verbcode+~+.  However, since commands in most cases
gobble a space after them a input like \cs{ch}\Marg{\cs*{command} ABC} will be
treated as a single part.  If you want or need to divide them you need to add
an empty group: \cs{ch}\Marg{\cs*{command}\marg{} ABC}.  The different input
types are described in the following sections.

% TODO: Module überdenken, Beschreibung anpassen
There are some options to customize the output of the \cs{ch} command.  They
can either be applied locally using the optional argument or can be set
globally using the setup command.  All options of \chemformula\ belong to the
module \module{chemformula} and can be set in different ways:
\begin{commands}
  \command{chemsetup}[\Oarg{chemformula}\marg{options}]
    when loaded via \chemmacros
  \command{chemsetup}[\Marg{chemformula/\meta{options}}]
    when loaded via \chemmacros
  \command{setchemformula}[\marg{options}]
    independent from \chemmacros
\end{commands}

\section{Stoichiometric Factors}
A stoichiometric factor may only contain of numbers and the signs
\verbcode+.,_/()+
\begin{example}[side-by-side]
  \ch{2} \par
  \ch{12}

  % decimals:
  \ch{.5} \par
  \ch{5,75}

  % fractions:
  \ch{3/2} \par
  \ch{1_1/2}
 
  % ``iupac'':
  \ch{(1/2)}
\end{example}

As you can see if you input decimal numbers a missing leading zero is added.

You have to be a little bit careful with the right syntax but I believe it is
rather intuitive.
\begin{sourcecode}
  this won't work but will result in an error: \ch{1/1_1}
\end{sourcecode}

If stoichiometric factors are enclosed with parentheses the fractions are not
recognized and missing leading zeros are not added.  What's inside the
parentheses is typeset as is.
\begin{example}
  \ch{(1/2) H2O} \ch{1/2 H2O} \ch{0.5 H2O}
\end{example}
You can find many examples like the following for stoichiometric factors in
parentheses in the \acs{iupac} Green Book~\cite{iupac:greenbook}:
\begin{reaction*}
 (1/5) K "\ox*{7,Mn}" O4 + (8/5) HCl == (1/5) "\ox*{2,Mn}" Cl2 + (1/2) Cl2 + (1/5) KCl + (4/5) H2O
\end{reaction*}

There are a few possibilities to customize the output.
\begin{options}
  \keyval{decimal-marker}{marker}\Default{.}
    The symbol to indicate the decimal.
  \keychoice{frac-style}{math,xfrac,nicefrac}\Default{math}
    Determines how fractions are displayed.
  \keyval{frac-math-cmd}{command sequence}\Default{\cs*{frac}}
    \sinceversion{4.1}Allows you to choose which command is used with
    \keyis{frac-style}{math}.  This needs to be a command sequence that takes
    two arguments that are set in math mode.
  \keyval{stoich-space}{skip}\Default{.1667em plus .0333em minus .0117em}
    The space that is placed after the stoichiometric factor.  A rubber
    length.
  \keybool{stoich-paren-parse}\Default{false}
    If set to true stoichiometric factors enclosed by parentheses also are
    parsed.
\end{options}

\begin{example}
  \ch[decimal-marker={,}]{3.5} \ch[decimal-marker={$\cdot$}]{3,5} 
\end{example}

The option \keyis{frac-style}{xfrac} uses the \verbcode+\sfrac+ command of the
\pkg{xfrac} package.  The output strongly depends on the font you use.
\begin{example}
  \ch[frac-style=xfrac]{3/2} \ch[frac-style=xfrac]{1_1/2}
\end{example}
\chemformula\ defines the instance \verbcode=formula-text-frac= which you can
redefine to your needs.  See the \pkg{xfrac} documentation for further
information.  The default definition is this:
\begin{sourcecode}
  \DeclareInstance{xfrac}{chemformula-text-frac}{text}
   {
     slash-left-kern  = -.15em ,
     slash-right-kern = -.15em
   }
\end{sourcecode}
This document uses the font Linux Libertine~O and the following definition:
\begin{sourcecode}
  \DeclareInstance{xfrac}{chemformula-text-frac}{text}
   {
     scale-factor        = 1 ,
     denominator-bot-sep = -.2ex ,
     denominator-format  = \scriptsize #1 ,
     numerator-top-sep   = -.2ex ,
     numerator-format    = \scriptsize #1 ,
     slash-right-kern    = .05em ,
     slash-left-kern     = .05em
   }
\end{sourcecode}

The option \keyis{frac-style}{nicefrac} uses the \verbcode+\nicefrac+ command
of the \pkg{nicefrac} package.
\begin{example}
  \ch[frac-style=nicefrac]{3/2} \ch[frac-style=nicefrac]{1_1/2}
\end{example}

The option \option{stoich-space} allows you to customize the space between
stoichiometric factor and the group following after it.
\begin{example}[side-by-side]
  \ch{2 H2O} \par
  \ch[stoich-space=.3em]{2 H2O}
\end{example}

\section{Compounds}\label{ssec:compounds}
\chemformula\ determines compounds as the type that ``doesn't fit in anywhere
else.''  This point will become more clear when you know what the other types
are.
\begin{example}[side-by-side]
  \ch{H2SO4} \par
  \ch{[Cu(NH3)4]^2+}
\end{example}

\subsection{Adducts}
\chemformula\ has two identifiers which will create adducts.
\begin{commands}
  \command{ch}[\Marg{A.B}] \ch{A.B}
  \command{ch}[\Marg{A*B}] \ch{A*B}
\end{commands}
\begin{example}[side-by-side]
  \ch{CaSO4.H2O} \par
  \ch{CaSO4*H2O}
\end{example}
Since numbers in a compound always are treated as subscripts (see
section~\ref{ssec:subscripts}) you sometimes need to introduce stoichiometric
factors for the right output:
\begin{example}[side-by-side]
  \ch{Na3PO4*12H2O} \par
  \ch{Na3PO4* 12 H2O} \par
  \ch{Na3PO4 * 12 H2O}
\end{example}

\subsection{Subscripts}\label{ssec:subscripts}
\emph{All} numbers in a compound are treated as subscripts.
\begin{example}[side-by-side]
  \ch{H2SO4}
\end{example}
If you want a letter to be a subscript you can use the math syntax:
\begin{example}[side-by-side]
  \ch{A_nB_m}
\end{example}
The subscript recognizes groups. You can also use math inside it.
\begin{example}[side-by-side]
  \ch{A_{$n$}B_{$m$}} \par
  \ch{NaCl_{(aq)}}
\end{example}

\subsection{Commands}
Commands are allowed in a compound:
\begin{example}[side-by-side]
  \ch{\textbf{A2}B3} \ch{A2\color{red}B3}
\end{example}

However, if the commands demand numbers as argument, \eg, space commands or
\chemmacros' \verbcode+\ox+ command the direct use will fail.  This is
because the numbers are treated as subscripts \emph{before} the command
expands.
\begin{sourcecode}
  \ch{A\hspace{2mm}B} will raise an error because \hspace sees something like
  this: \hspace{$_2$mm}. Actually not at all like it but equally bad\ldots
\end{sourcecode}
See section~\ref{ssec:text} for a way around this.

\subsection{Charges and Other Superscripts}
\paragraph{Basics}
If a compound \emph{ends} with a plus or minus sign it will be treated as
charge sign and typeset as superscript.  In other places a plus is treated as
a triple bond and a dash will be used as a single bond, see
section~\ref{ssec:bonds}.
\begin{example}[side-by-side]
  \ch{A+B} \ch{AB+} \par
  \ch{A-B} \ch{AB-}
\end{example}

For longer charge groups or other superscripts you can use the math syntax.
It recognizes groups and you can use math inside them.  Inside these groups
neither \code{+} nor \code{-} are treated as bonds.  If a dot \code{.} is
inside a superscript it is treated as indicator for a radical.  A \code{*}
gives the excited state.
\begin{example}[side-by-side]
  \ch{A^{x-}} \par
  \ch{A^x-} \par
  \ch{A^{x}-} \par
  \ch{A^{$x-$}} \par
  \ch{RNO2^{-.}} \par
  \ch{^31H} \par
  \ch{^{14}6C} \par
  \ch{^{58}_{26}Fe} \par
  \ch{NO^*}
\end{example}

Ions and ion composites with more than one charge can be typeset quite as
easy:
\begin{example}[side-by-side]
  \ch{SO4^2-} \ch{Ca^2+ SO4^2-}
\end{example}

\paragraph{Charge Commands}
You don't need to use \cs{mch} and related commands inside \cs{ch}.  Indeed,
you \emph{shouldn't} use them as they might mess with the subscript and
superscript alignment.  The \chemmacros\ option \code{circled} is obeyed by
\cs{ch}.
\begin{example}
  \chemsetup[option]{circled=all}
  \ch{H+ + OH- <=> H2O}
\end{example}

\paragraph{Behaviour}
The supercripts behave differently depending on their position in a compound,
if there are super- and subscripts following each other directly.
\begin{example}
  \ch{^33B} \ch{{}^33B} \ch{3^3B} \ch{B^3} \ch{B3^3} \par
  \ch{^{23}_{123}B} \ch{{}^{23}_{123}B} \ch{_{123}^{23}B}
  \ch{B^{23}} \ch{B_{123}^{23}} \par
  \ch{^{123}_{23}B} \ch{{}^{123}_{23}B} \ch{_{23}^{123}B}
  \ch{B^{123}} \ch{B23^{123}}
\end{example}
\begin{itemize}
  \item If a compound \emph{starts} with a sub- or superscript both sub- and
    superscript are aligned to the \emph{right} else to the \emph{left}.
  \item If a compound \emph{does not start} with a sub- or superscript and
    there is both a sub- and a superscript, the superscript is shifted
    additionally by a length determined from the option
    \key{charge-hshift}{dim}, also see page~\pageref{desc:charge-hshift}f.
\end{itemize}
The second point follows \ac{iupac}'s recommendations:
\begin{cnltxquote}[{\acs{iupac} Green Book {\cite[][p.\,51]{iupac:greenbook}}}]
  In writing the formula for a complex ion, spacing for charge number can be
  added (staggered arrangement), as well as parentheses:
  \ch[charge-hshift=full]{SO4^2-}, \ch{(SO4)^2-}.  The staggered arrangement
  is now recommended.
\end{cnltxquote}

\subsection{Bonds}\label{ssec:bonds}
\subsubsection{Native Bonds}
There are three kinds of what I will call ``native bonds'':
\begin{example}[side-by-side]
  single: \ch{CH3-CH3} \par
  double: \ch{CH2=CH2} \par
  triple: \ch{CH+CH}
\end{example}

\subsubsection{Flexible Bonds}
\paragraph{Predefined Bonds}
In addition to the three native bonds there are a few more which can be called
by
\begin{commands}
  \command{bond}[\marg{bond name}]
    Prints the bond type specified by \meta{bond name}.
\end{commands}
The predefined bond types are shown in table~\vref{tab:bond_types}.

\begin{table}
  \centering
  \caption{Bonds available with \cs*{bond}.}
  \label{tab:bond_types}
  \begin{tabular}{lcl}
    \toprule
      \bfseries name & \bfseries appearance & \bfseries aliases \\
    \midrule
      \code{single}  & \bond{single}        & \code{normal}, \code{sb} \\
      \code{double}  & \bond{double}        & \code{db} \\
      \code{triple}  & \bond{triple}        & \code{tp} \\
      \code{dotted}  & \bond{dotted}        & \code{semisingle} \\
      \code{deloc}   & \bond{deloc}         & \code{semidouble} \\
      \code{tdeloc}  & \bond{tdeloc}        & \code{semitriple} \\
      \code{co>}     & \bond{co>}           & \code{coordright} \\
      \code{<co}     & \bond{<co}           & \code{coordleft} \\
    \bottomrule
  \end{tabular}
\end{table}

\begin{example}
  \ch{C\bond{sb}C\bond{db}C\bond{tp}C\bond{deloc}C\bond{tdeloc}C\bond{co>}C\bond{<co}C}
\end{example}

\paragraph{Own Bonds}
\chemformula\ offers commands to define own bond types:
\begin{commands}
  \command{DeclareChemBond}[\marg{name}\marg{code}]
    Define the new bond type \meta{name}.
  \command{RenewChemBond}[\marg{name}\marg{code}]
    Redefine the existing bond type \meta{name}.
  \command{DeclareChemBondAlias}[\marg{new name}\marg{old name}]
    Declare the bond type \meta{new name} to be an alias of \meta{old name}.
  \command{ShowChemBond}[\marg{name}]
    Print the definition of bond type \meta{name}.
\end{commands}
The usage is best described with an example.  So let's see how the
\code{single} bond and the \code{co>} bond are defined:
\begin{sourcecode}
  \DeclareChemBond{single}
    { \draw[chembond] (chemformula-bond-start) -- (chemformula-bond-end) ; }
  \DeclareChemBond{coordright}
    {
      \draw[chembond,butt cap->]
        (chemformula-bond-start) -- (chemformula-bond-end) ;
    }
  \DeclareChemBondAlias{co>}{coordright}
\end{sourcecode}
Two points are important: the names of the starting and the ending
coordinates, \code{chemformula-bond-start} and \code{chemformula-bond-end},
and the \TikZ\ style of the bonds \code{chembond}.

So, let's say you want to define a special kind of dashed bond.  You could do
this:
\begin{example}
  \usetikzlibrary{decorations.pathreplacing}
  \makeatletter
  \DeclareChemBond{dashed}
    {
      \draw[
        chembond,
        decorate,
        decoration={
          ticks,
          segment length=\chemformula@bondlength/10,amplitude=1.5pt
        }]
        (chemformula-bond-start) -- (chemformula-bond-end) ;
    }
  \makeatother
  \chemsetup[chemformula]{bond-length=2ex}
  \ch{C\bond{dashed}C}
\end{example}

The last example showed you another macro: \verbcode+\chemformula@bondlength+.
It only exists so you can use it to access the bond length as set with
\option{bond-length} directly.

\subsection{Customization}\label{ssec:compounds:customization}
These options allow you to customize the ouptut of the compounds:
\begin{options}
  \keyval{subscript-vshift}{dim}\Default{0pt}
    Extra vertical shift of the subscripts.
  \keychoice{subscript-style}{text,math}\Default{text}
    Style that is used to typeset the subscripts.
  \keyval{charge-hshift}{dim}\Default{.25em}
    Shift of superscripts when following a subscript.\label{desc:charge-hshift}
  \keyval{charge-vshift}{dim}\Default{0pt}
    Extra vertical shift of the superscripts.
  \keychoice{charge-style}{text,math}\Default{text}
    Style that is used to typeset the superscripts.
  \keyval{adduct-space}{dim}\Default{.1333em}
    Space to the left and the right of the adduct point.
  \keyval{bond-length}{dim}\Default{.5833em}
    The length of the bonds.
  \keyval{bond-offset}{dim}\Default{.07em}
    Space between bond and atoms.
  \keyval{bond-style}{\TikZ}\Default
    \TikZ\ options for the bonds.
  \keyval{bond-penalty}{num}\Default{10000}
    \sinceversion{4.0a}The penalty that is inserted after a bond for
    (dis-)allowing line breaks.
  \keyval{radical-style}{\TikZ}\Default
    \TikZ\ options for the radical point.
  \keyval{radical-radius}{dim}\Default{.2ex}
    The radius of the radical point.
  \keyval{radical-hshift}{dim}\Default{.15em}
    Horizontal shift before the radical point is drawn.
  \keyval{radical-vshift}{dim}\Default{.5ex}
    Vertical shift relative to the current baseline.
  \keyval{radical-space}{dim}\Default{.15em}
    Horizontal shift after the radical point is drawn.
\end{options}

Maybe you have noticed that charges of certain ions are shifted to the
right.
\begin{example}[side-by-side]
  \ch{SO4^2-} \ch{NH4+} \ch{Na+}
\end{example}
They are shifted if they \emph{follow} a subscript which follows \ac{iupac}
recommendations~\cite[][p.\,51]{iupac:greenbook}.  The amount of the shift can
be set with the option \key{charge-hshift}.
\begin{example}
  \ch{SO4^2-} \ch{NH4+} \ch{Na+} \par
  \chemsetup[chemformula]{charge-hshift=.5ex}
  \ch{SO4^2-} \ch{NH4+} \ch{Na+} \par
  \chemsetup[chemformula]{charge-hshift=.5pt}
  \ch{SO4^2-} \ch{NH4+} \ch{Na+}
\end{example}

Despite \ac{iupac}'s recommendation \chemformula\ does not make fully staggered
arrangements in the default setting as I find it hard to read in some cases
and ugly in others.  Since this is a subjective decision \chemformula\ not only
let's you define the absolute amount of the shift but also provides a
possibility for full staggered arrangements.  For this you have to use
\keyis{charge-hshift}{full}.
\begin{example}
  \ch[charge-hshift=0pt]{C5H11+} \ch[charge-hshift=0pt]{SO4^2-} \par
  \ch{C5H11+} \ch{SO4^2-} \par
  \ch[charge-hshift=1ex]{C5H11+} \ch[charge-hshift=1ex]{SO4^2-} \par
  \ch[charge-hshift=full]{C5H11+} \ch[charge-hshift=full]{SO4^2-}
\end{example}

If you don't want the charges to be typeset in text mode you can switch to
math mode:
\begin{example}
  \ch{M^x+} \ch{SO4^2-} \par
  \chemsetup[chemformula]{charge-style = math}
  \ch{M^x+} \ch{SO4^2-}
\end{example}

The option \option{subscript-vshift} can be used to adjust the vertical shift
of the subscripts:
\begin{example}
  \ch{H2SO4} \ch{Na3PO4} \par
  \chemsetup[chemformula]{subscript-vshift=.5ex}
  \ch{H2SO4} \ch{Na3PO4} \par
  \chemsetup[chemformula]{subscript-vshift=-.2ex}
  \ch{H2SO4} \ch{Na3PO4}
\end{example}

You can choose the mode subscripts are typeset in the same way as it is
possible for the charges:
\begin{example}
  \ch{A_nB_m} \ch{H2SO4} \par
  \chemsetup[chemformula]{subscript-style = math}
  \ch{A_nB_m} \ch{H2SO4}
\end{example}

The option \option{adduct-space} sets the space left and right to the adduct
symbol $\cdot$.
\begin{example}
  \ch{Na3PO3*H2O} \par
  \chemsetup[chemformula]{adduct-space=.2em}
  \ch{Na3PO3*H2O}
\end{example}

Changing the length of the bonds:
\begin{example}
  \chemsetup[chemformula]{bond-length=4mm}%
  single: \ch{CH3-CH3} \par
  double: \ch{CH2=CH2} \par
  triple: \ch{CH+CH}
\end{example}

You can change the distance between bond and atom, too:
\begin{example}
  \ch{H-H + N+N + O=O} \par
  \ch[bond-offset=1pt]{H-H + N+N + O=O}
\end{example}

\subsection{Standalone Formulae}
\chemformula\sinceversion{4.0} offers a command that \emph{only accepts} the
\enquote{compound} input type:
\begin{commands}
  \command{chcpd}[\oarg{options}\marg{compound}]
    Typeset single compounds.
\end{commands}

\section{Special Input Types}
There are some \enquote{special type} input groups.

\subsection{Single Token Groups}
The first kind are groups which consist of only one token, namely of the
following ones:
\begin{commands}
  \command{ch}[\marg{ + } \ch{ + }]
    Creates the plus sign between compounds with space around it:\\
    \cs{ch}\Marg{2 Na + Cl2} \ch{2 Na + Cl2}
  \command{ch}[\Marg{ v } \ch{ v }]
    Sign for precipitate: \cs{ch}\Marg{BaSO4 v} \ch{BaSO4 v}
  \command{ch}[\Marg{ \textasciicircum\ } \ch{ ^ }]
    Sign for escaping gas\footnotemark: \cs{ch}\Marg{H2 \textasciicircum}
    \ch{H2 ^}
\end{commands}
\footnotetext{Is this the correct English term? Please correct me if it isn't.}

The space left and right of the plus sign can be set with this option:
\begin{options}
  \keyval{plus-space}{skip}\Default{.3em plus .1em minus .1em}
    A rubber length.
  \keyval{plus-penalty}{num}\Default{700}
    \sinceversion{4.0a}The penalty that is inserted after the plus sign for
    (dis-)allowing line breaks.
\end{options}
\begin{example}[side-by-side]
  \ch{A + B}\par
  \ch[plus-space=4pt]{A + B}
\end{example}

\subsection{Option Input}
Sometimes you might want to apply an option only to a part of a, say,
reaction.  Of course you have the possibility to use \cs{ch} several times.
\begin{example}
  \ch{H2O +}\textcolor{red}{\ch{H2SO4}}\ch{-> H3O+ + HSO4-} \par
  \ch{H2O +}\ch[subscript-vshift=2pt]{H2SO4}\ch{-> H3O+ + HSO4-}
\end{example}
This, however, interrupts the input in your source and \emph{may} mess with
the spacing. That's why there is an alternative:
\begin{commands}
  \command{ch}[\Marg{ @\marg{options} }]
    The options specified this way will be valid \emph{only} until the next
    compound is set.
\end{commands}
\begin{example}
  \ch{H2O +}\textcolor{red}{\ch{H2SO4}}\ch{-> H3O+ + HSO4-} \par
  \ch{H2O + @{format=\color{red}} H2SO4 -> H3O+ + HSO4-} \par
  or of course:\par
  \ch{H2O + \textcolor{red}{H2SO4} -> H3O+ + HSO4-}\par\bigskip
  \ch{H2O +}\ch[subscript-vshift=2pt]{H2SO4}\ch{-> H3O+ + HSO4-} \par
  \ch{H2O + @{subscript-vshift=2pt} H2SO4 -> H3O+ + HSO4-}
\end{example}

\section{Escaped Input}
In some cases it may be desirable to prevent \chemformula\ from parsing the
input.  This can be done in two ways.

\subsection{Text}\label{ssec:text}
If you put something between \verbcode+" "+ or \verbcode+' '+ then the input
will be treated as normal text, except that spaces are not allowed and have to
be input with \verbcode+~+.
\begin{commands}
  \command{ch}[\Marg{ "\meta{escaped text}" }]
    One of two possibilities to \emph{escape} \chemformula's parsing.
  \command{ch}[\Marg{ '\meta{escaped text}' }]
    The second of two possibilities to \emph{escape} \chemformula's parsing.
\end{commands}
\begin{example}
  \ch{"\ox{2,Ca}" O} \par
  \ch{"\ldots\," Na + "\ldots\," Cl2 -> "\ldots\," NaCl} \par
  \ch{'A~->~B'}
\end{example}
In many cases you won't need to escape the input.  But when you get into
trouble when using a command inside \cs{ch} try hiding it.

\subsection{Math}
If you especially want to input math you just enclose it with \verbcode+$ $+.
This output is different from the escaped text as it is followed by a space.
The reasoning behind this is that I assume math will mostly be used to replace
stoichiometric factors.
\begin{commands}
 \command{ch}[\Marg{ \string$\meta{escaped math}\string$ }]
   One of two possibilities to \emph{escape} \chemformula's parsing into math
   mode.
 \command{ch}[\Marg{ \string\(\meta{escaped math}\string\) }]
   The second of two possibilities to \emph{escape} \chemformula's parsing
   into math mode.
\end{commands}
\begin{example}[side-by-side]
  escaped text: \ch{"$x$" H2O} \par
  escaped math: \ch{$x$ H2O} \par
  also escaped math: \ch{\(x\) H2O} \par
  \ch{$2n$ Na + $n$ Cl2 -> $2n$ NaCl}
\end{example}

The space that is inserted after a math group can be edited:
\begin{options}
  \keyval{math-space}{skip}\Default{.1667em plus .0333em minus .0117em}
   A rubber length.
\end{options}
\begin{example}
  \ch{$2n$ Na + $n$ Cl2 -> $2n$ NaCl} \par
  \chemsetup[chemformula]{math-space=.25em}
  \ch{$2n$ Na + $n$ Cl2 -> $2n$ NaCl} \par
  \ch{$A->B$}
\end{example}

\section{Arrows}\label{sec:arrows}
\subsection{Arrow types}
Arrows are input in the same intuitive way they are with \pkg{mhchem}.
There are various different types:
\begin{commands}
  \command{ch}[\Marg{ -> } \ch{->}]
    standard right arrow
  \command{ch}[\Marg{ <- } \ch{<-}]
    standard left arrow
  \command{ch}[\Marg{ -/> } \ch{-/>}]
    does not react (right)
  \command{ch}[\Marg{ </- } \ch{</-}]
    does not react (left)
  \command{ch}[\Marg{ <-> } \ch{<->}]
    resonance arrow
  \command{ch}[\Marg{ <> } \ch{<>}]
    reaction in both directions
  \command{ch}[\Marg{ == } \ch{==}]
    stoichiometric equation
  \command{ch}[\Marg{ <=> } \ch{<=>}]
    equilibrium arrow
  \command{ch}[\Marg{ <=>> } \ch{<=>>}]
    unbalanced equilibrium arrow to the right
  \command{ch}[\Marg{ <<=> } \ch{<<=>}]
    unbalanced equilibrium arrow to the left
  \command{ch}[\Marg{ <o> } \ch{<o>}]
    isolobal arrow
\end{commands}
All these arrows are drawn with \TikZ.
\begin{example}
  \ch{H2 + Cl2 -> 2 HCl} \par
  \ch{H2O + CO3^2- <=> OH- + HCO3-} \par
  \ch{A <- B} \par
  \ch{\{[CH2=CH-CH2]- <-> {}[CH2-CH=CH2]- \}} \par
  \ch{A <> B} \par
  \ch{H+ + OH- <=>> H2O} \par
  \ch{2 NO2 <<=> N2O4}
\end{example}

\subsection{Labels}
The arrows take two optional arguments to label them.
\begin{commands}
  \command{ch}[\Marg{ ->[\meta{above}][\meta{below}] }]
    Add text above or under an arrow.
\end{commands}
\begin{example}[side-by-side]
  \ch{A ->[a] B} \par
  \ch{A ->[a][b] B} \par
  \ch{A ->[\SI{100}{\celsius}] B}
\end{example}
The label text can be parsed seperately from the arrow. The recipe is easy:
leave blanks.
\begin{example}[side-by-side]
  \ch{A ->[H2O] B} \par
  \ch{A ->[ H2O ] B} \par
  \ch{A ->[ "\ox{2,Ca}" F2 ] B} \par
  \ch{A ->[$\Delta$,~ \[H+ \]] B}
\end{example}
% TODO: correct info about []

If you leave the blanks \chemformula\ treats the groups inside the square
brackets as seperated input types.  The arrow reads its arguments
\emph{afterwards}.  As you can see the arrows \enquote{grow} with the length
of the labels.  What stays constant is the part that protrudes the labels.  As
you also can see in the last example square brackets inside the arrow
arguments should be produced using \cs*{[} and \cs*{]}.  They keep their usual
meaning outside \cs{ch}.  These commands are necessary since the usual
grouping (\ie, hiding the brackets inside curly brackets) doesn't work due to
the way \cs{ch} reads its argument.
\begin{example}
  \ch{A ->[a] B} \par
  \ch{A ->[ab] B} \par
  \ch{A ->[abc] B} \par
  \ch{A ->[abc~abc] B} \par
  % needs the `chemfig' package:
  \setatomsep{15pt}
  \ch{A ->[ "\chemfig{-[:30]-[:-30]OH}" ] B} \par
  \ch{A ->[[]] B} vs. \ch{A ->[\[\]] B}
\end{example}

\subsection{Customization}
These are the options which enable you to customize the arrows:
\begin{options}
  \keyval{arrow-offset}{dim}\Default{.75em}
    This is the length that an arrow protrudes a label on both sides.  This
    means an empty arrow's length is two times \code{arrow-offset}.
  \keyval{arrow-min-length}{dim}\Default{0pt}
    \sinceversion{3.6b}The minimal length an error must have unless two times
    \key{arrow-offset} plus the width of the label is larger.
  \keyval{arrow-yshift}{dim}\Default{0pt}
    Shifts an arrow up (positive value) or down (negative value).
  \keyval{arrow-ratio}{<factor>}\Default{.6}
    The ratio of the arrow lengths of the unbalanced equilibrium.  \code{.4}
    would mean that the length of the shorter arrow is $0.4\times$ the length
    of the longer arrow.
  \keyval{compound-sep}{dim}\Default{.5em}
    The space between compounds and the arrows.
  \keyval{label-offset}{dim}\Default{2pt}
    The space between the labels and the arrows.
  \keyval{label-style}{font command}\Default{\cs*{footnotesize}}
    The relative font size of the labels.
  \keyval{arrow-penalty}{num}\Default{0}
    \sinceversion{4.0a}The penalty that is inserted after an arrow for
    (dis-)allowing line breaks.
  \keyval{arrow-style}{\TikZ}\Default
    \sinceversion{4.1a}Additonal \TikZ\ keys for formatting the arrows.
\end{options}

The following code shows the effect of the different options on the \verbcode+<=>>+
arrow:
\begin{example}
  standard: \ch{A <=>>[x][y] B} \par
  longer: \ch[arrow-offset=12pt]{A <=>>[x][y] B} \par
  higher: \ch[arrow-yshift=2pt]{A <=>>[x][y] B} \par
  more balanced: \ch[arrow-ratio=.8]{A <=>>[x][y] B} \par
  labels further away: \ch[label-offset=4pt]{A <=>>[x][y] B} \par
  larger distance to compounds: \ch[compound-sep=2ex]{A <=>>[x][y] B} \par
  smaller labels: \ch[label-style=\tiny]{A <=>[x][y] B}
\end{example}

\subsection{Modify Arrow Types}\label{sec:arrows_modify}
The arrows are defined with the command
\begin{commands}
  \command{DeclareChemArrow}[\marg{type}\marg{\TikZ}]
    Define a new arrow type \meta{type}.
\end{commands}
\meta{type} is the sequence of tokens that is replaced with the actual arrow
code.  For example the basic arrow is defined via
\begin{sourcecode}
  \DeclareChemArrow{->}{
    \draw[chemarrow,-cf] (cf_arrow_start) -- (cf_arrow_end) ;
  }
\end{sourcecode}
In order to define arrows yourself you need to know the basics of
\TikZ\footnote{Please see the \manual{pgfmanual} for details.}.  The
predefined arrows use the arrow tips \code{cf}, \code{left cf} and \code{right
  cf}.  They also all except the net reaction arrow \code{==} use the
\TikZ-style \code{chemarrow} that you should use, too, if you want the option
\option{arrow-style} to have an effect.

There are some predefined coordinates you can and should use.  For
completeness' sake the arrow tips and the \TikZ-style are also listed:
\begin{codedesc}
  \Code{(cf\_arrow\_start)}
    The beginning of the arrow.
  \Code{(cf\_arrow\_end)}
    The end of the arrow.
  \Code{(cf\_arrow\_mid)}
    The mid of the arrow.
  \Code{(cf\_arrow\_mid\_start)}
    The beginning of the shorter arrow in types like \verbcode+<=>>+.
  \Code{(cf\_arrow\_mid\_end)}
    The end of the shorter arrow in types like \verbcode+<=>>+.
  \Code{cf}
    A double-sided arrow tip.
  \Code{left cf}
    A left-sided arrow tip.
  \Code{right cf}
    A right-sided arrow tip.
  \Code{chemarrow}
    \chemformula's \TikZ-style that is applied to the arrows and set with
    \option{arrow-style}
\end{codedesc}
\begin{example}
  \DeclareChemArrow{.>}{
    \draw[chemarrow,-cf,dotted,red] (cf_arrow_start) -- (cf_arrow_end);
  }
  \DeclareChemArrow{n>}{
    \draw[chemarrow,-cf]
      (cf_arrow_start)
        .. controls ([yshift=3ex]cf_arrow_mid) ..
      (cf_arrow_end);
  }
  \ch{A .> B} \ch{A .>[a][b] B} \ch{A n> B}
\end{example}
If you want to redefine an existing arrow there are two commands you can use:
\begin{commands}
  \command{RenewChemArrow}[\marg{type}\marg{\TikZ}]
    Redefine the arrow type \meta{type}.
  \command{ShowChemArrow}[\marg{type}]
    Print out the current definition of the arrow type \meta{type}.
\end{commands}
The second one gives the current definition, the first one redefines an existing
arrow.
\begin{example}
  \texttt{\ShowChemArrow{->}} \par
  \RenewChemArrow{->}{\draw[chemarrow,->,red] (cf_arrow_start) -- (cf_arrow_end) ;}
  \texttt{\ShowChemArrow{->}} \par
  \ch{A -> B}
\end{example}

\subsection{Standalone Arrows}
\chemformula\ offers\sinceversion{4.0} a command that \emph{only accepts} the
\enquote{arrow} input type:
\begin{commands}
  \command{charrow}[\marg{type}\oarg{above}\oarg{below}]
    Print the arrow type \meta{type}.
\end{commands}
This command is internally used for the arrows, too, when \cs{ch} is parsed.

\section{Names}
\subsection{Syntax}
\chemformula\ has a built-in syntax to write text under a compound.  In a way
it works very similar to the arrows.
\begin{commands}
  \command{ch}[\Marg{ !(\meta{text})( \meta{formula} ) }]
    Writes \meta{text} below \meta{formula}.
\end{commands}
If an exclamation mark is followed by a pair of parentheses \chemformula\ will
parse it this way:
\begin{example}
  \ch{!(ethanol)( CH2CH2OH )}
\end{example}
The same what's true for the arrows arguments holds for these arguments: if
you leave blanks the different parts will be treated according to their input
type before the text is set below the formula.
\begin{example}
  \ch{!(water)(H2O)} \quad
  \ch{!( "\textcolor{blue}{water}" )( H2O )} \quad
  \ch{!( $2n-1$ )( H2O )} \quad
  \ch{!( H2O )( H2O )} \quad
  \ch{!(oxonium)( H3O+ )}
\end{example}
If for some reason you want to insert an exclamation mark \emph{without} it
creating a name you only have to make sure it isn't followed by parentheses.
\begin{example}[side-by-side]
  \ch{H2O~(!)} \par
  \ch{A!{}()}
\end{example}

\subsection{Customization}
\chemformula\ provides two options to customize the output of the names:
\begin{options}
 \keyval{name-format}{commands}\Default{\cs*{scriptsize}\cs*{centering}}
   The format of the name.  This can be arbitrary input.
 \keychoice{name-width}{\meta{dim},auto}\Default{auto}
   The width of the box where the label is put into.  \code{auto} will detect
   the width of the name and set the box to this width.
\end{options}
\begin{example}
  \ch{!(acid)( H2SO4 ) -> B} \par
  \ch[name-format=\sffamily\small]{!(acid)( H2SO4 ) -> B} \par
  \ch[name-format=\scriptsize N:~]{!(acid)( H2SO4 ) -> B} \par
  \ch[name-width=3em,name-format=\scriptsize\raggedright]{!(acid)( H2SO4 ) -> B}
\end{example}

\subsection{Standalone Names}
\chemformula\ offers a command\sinceversion{4.0} that allows the usage of the
\enquote{name} syntax in normal text.  This is the command that a bang is
replaced with in \chemformula's formulas, actually.  Both arguments are
mandatory.
\begin{commands}
  \command{chname}[\darg{text~1}\darg{text~2}]
    The command that is useed internally for placing  \meta{text~1} below of
    \meta{text~2}.
\end{commands}

\section{Format and Font}\label{sec:format}
In the standard setting \chemformula\ doesn't make any default changes to the
font of the formula output.  Let's take a look at a nonsense input which shows
all features:
\begin{example}[pre-output={\biolinumLF\libertineLF\chemsetup{chemformula/format=}}]
  \newcommand*\sample{%
    \ch{H2C-C+C-CH=CH+ + CrO4^2-
        <=>[x][y]
      2.5 Cl^{-.} + 3_1/2 Na*OH_{(aq)} + !(name)( A^n ) "\LaTeXe"}
  }
  \sample
\end{example}
\newcommand*\sample{%
  \ch{H2C-C+C-CH=CH+ + CrO4^2-
      <=>[x][y]
    2.5 Cl^{-.} + 3_1/2 Na*OH_{(aq)} + !(name)( A^n ) "\LaTeXe"}
}

Now we're going to change different aspects of the font a look what happens:
\begin{example}[pre-output={\biolinumLF\libertineLF\chemsetup{chemformula/format=}}]
  \sffamily Hallo \sample \\
  \ttfamily Hallo \sample \normalfont \\
  \bfseries Hallo \sample \normalfont \\
  \itshape Hallo \sample
\end{example}
As you can see most features adapt to the surrounding font.

If you want to change the default format you need to use this option:
\begin{options}
  \keyval{format}{anything}\Default
    Adds arbitrary code before the output of \cs{ch}.
\end{options}
\begin{example}[pre-output={\biolinumLF\libertineLF\chemsetup{chemformula/format=}}]
  \definecolor{newblue}{rgb}{.1,.1,.5}
  \chemsetup[chemformula]{format=\color{newblue}\sffamily}
  \sffamily Hallo \sample \\
  \ttfamily Hallo \sample \normalfont \\
  \bfseries Hallo \sample \normalfont \\
  \itshape Hallo \sample
\end{example}

You can also specifically change the fontfamily, fontseries and fontshape of
the output.
\begin{options}
  \keyval{font-family}{family}\Default
    Changes the fontfamily of the output with \cs*{fontfamily}\marg{family}.
  \keyval{font-series}{series}\Default
    Changes the fontseries of the output with \cs*{fontseries}\marg{series}.
  \keyval{font-shape}{shape}\Default
    Changes the fontshape of the output with \cs*{fontshape}\marg{shape}.
\end{options}
\begin{example}[pre-output={\biolinumLF\libertineLF\chemsetup{chemformula/format=}}]
  \chemsetup[chemformula]{font-series=bx}
  Hallo \sample \par
  \sffamily Hallo \sample \normalfont \par
  \chemsetup[chemformula]{font-family=lmss,font-series=m} Hallo \sample
    \normalfont \par
  \itshape Hallo \sample
\end{example}

If you're using \XeLaTeX\ or \LuaLaTeX\ and have loaded \pkg{fontspec} you
have the possibilty to set the font with it:
\begin{options}
  \keyval{font-spec}{font}\Default
    Use font \meta{font} for \chemformula's formulas.
\end{options}
or with options
\begin{options}
  \keychoice{font-spec}{\Marg{[\meta{options}]\meta{font}}}
    Use font \meta{font} with options \meta{options} for \chemformula's
    formulas.
\end{options}
Since this document is typeset with \pdfLaTeX\ the option cannot be
demonstrated here.

\section{Usage In Math Equations}
The \cs{ch} command can be used inside math equations.  It recognizes
\verbcode+\\+ and \verbcode+&+ and passes them on.  However, you can't use the
optional arguments of \verbcode+\\+ inside \cs{ch}.
\begin{example}
  \begin{align}
   \ch{
     H2O & ->[a] H2SO4 \\
     Cl2 & ->[x][y] CH4
   }
  \end{align}
  \begin{align*}
  \ch{
    RNO2      &<=>[ + e- ] RNO2^{-.} \\
    RNO2^{-.} &<=>[ + e- ] RNO2^2-
  }
  \end{align*}
\end{example}

\section{Usage with \TikZ{} or \pkg*{pgfplots} and externalization}
Since \chemformula{} uses\sinceversion{4.1} \TikZ{} to draw reaction arrows
and bonds they would be externalized, too, if you use that facility with
\TikZ{} or \needpackage{pgfplots}~\cite{pkg:pgfplots}.  This may not be
desirable since they are very small pictures maybe containing of a single
line.  This is why \chemformula's default behaviour is to disable
externalization for it's bonds and arrows.  This can be turned on and off
through the following option:
\begin{options}
  \keybool{tikz-external-disable}\Default{true}
    dis- or enable \TikZ' externalization mechanism for \chemformula's arrows
    and bonds.
\end{options}

If you should be using a formula that contains bonds or arrows inside of a
\code{tikzpicture} that is externalized you should locally enable it for
\chemformula, too:

\begin{sourcecode}
  \begin{tikzpicture}
    \setchemformula{tikz-external-disable=false}
    \begin{axis}[xlabel={\ch{2 H+ + 2 e- -> H2}}]
      \addplot ... ;
    \end{axis}
  \end{tikzpicture}
\end{sourcecode}

\section{Lewis Formulae}\label{sec:lewis-formulae}
\chemformula\ offers\sinceversion{4.2} a command to typeset Lewis formulae.
This does not mean Lewis structures!  Those can be achieved using the
\pkg{chemfig} package~\cite{pkg:chemfig}.  \chemformula\ provides the
possibility to draw electrons as dots and pairs of dots or a line around an
atom.

\begin{commands}
  \command{chlewis}[\oarg{options}\marg{electron spec}\marg{atom}]
    Draws electrons around the \meta{atom} according to \meta{electron spec}.
\end{commands}

Electrons are specified by the angle to the horizontal in the couter-clockwise
direction.  The default appearance is a pair of electrons drawn as a pair of
dots.  Other specifications can be chosen.  The specification follows the
pattern \meta{angle}\meta{separator}.  \meta{angle} is a positiv or negativ
integer denoting the angle counter clockwise to the horizontal where the
electrons should be drawn.  \meta{separator} is either a dot (\code{.}, single
electron), a colon (\code{:}, electron pair), a vertical line (\code{|},
electron pair), an o (\code{o}, empty pair), or a comma (\code{,} default
spec).

\begin{commands}
  \command{chlewis}[\Marg{\meta{angle1}\meta{type1}\meta{angle2}\meta{type2}}%
    \marg{atom}]
    For example: \cs{chlewis}\Marg{0,180}\Marg{O} gives \chlewis{0,180}{O} and
    \cs{chlewis}\Marg{0.90.180.270.}\Marg{C} gives
    \chlewis{0.90.180.270.}{C}.
\end{commands}

The appearance can be influenced by a number of options:
\begin{options}
  \keychoice{lewis-default}{.,:,|,o,single,pair,pair (dotted),pair
    (line),empty}\Default{pair}
    Sets the default type that is used when no type is given in \meta{electron
      spec}.
  \keyval{lewis-distance}{dim}\Default{1ex}
    The distance of two electrons in a pair.
  \keyval{lewis-line-length}{dim}\Default{1.5ex}
    The length of the line representing an electron pair.
  \keyval{lewis-line-width}{dim}\Default{1pt}
    The thickness of a line representing an electron pair.
  \keyval{lewis-offset}{dim}\Default{.5ex}
    The distance of the symbols from the atom.
\end{options}
The dots are drawn according to the \option{radical-radius} option mentioned
in section~\ref{ssec:compounds:customization}.

The basic usage should be more or less self-explaining:
\begin{example}[side-by-side]
  \chlewis{0:90|180.270}{O}
  \quad
  \chlewis{45,135}{O}
  \quad
  \chlewis{0o}{Na}
\end{example}

The next example shows the effect of some of the options:
\begin{example}
  \chlewis[lewis-default=.]{23,68,113,158,203,248,293,338}{X}
  \quad
  \chlewis{0,90,180,270}{X}
  \quad
  \chlewis[lewis-distance=1.25ex]{0,90,180,270}{X}
  \quad
  \chlewis[lewis-distance=.75ex,radical-radius=.5pt]{0,90,180,270}{X}
  \quad
  \chlewis[
    radical-radius=.5pt,
    lewis-default=.
  ]{23,68,113,158,203,248,293,338}{X}
\end{example}

\begin{example}
  \ch{
    !($1s^22s^1$)( "\chlewis{180.}{Li}" ) +
    !($1s^22s^22p^5$)( "\chlewis{0.90,180,270}{F}" )
     ->
    !($1s^2$)( Li+ ) + !($1s^22s^22p^6$)( "\chlewis{0,90,180,270}{F}" {}- )
  }
\end{example}

\section{Further Examples}
This section presents some examples of a possible usage.

\begin{example}
  \begin{reaction}[Synthese von Alkanen]
    !(Synthesegas)( $n$ CO + $(2n+1)$ H2 )
    ->[\SI{200}{\celsius}][\[CoNi\]]
    C_{$n$}H_{$2n+2$} + $n$ H2O
  \end{reaction}
\end{example}

\begin{example}
  \begin{reactions*}
    "a)" && CH4    + Cl2 &-> CH3Cl  + HCl && "{\small Chlormethan/Methylchlorid}" \\
    "b)" && CH3Cl  + Cl2 &-> CH2Cl2 + HCl && "{\small Dichlormethan/Methylenchlorid}" \\
    "c)" && CH2Cl2 + Cl2 &-> CHCl3  + HCl && "{\small Trichlormethan/Chloroform}" \\
    "d)" && CHCl3  + Cl2 &-> CCl4   + HCl && "{\small Tetrachlormethan/Tetrachlorkohlenstoff}"
  \end{reactions*}
\end{example}

\begin{example}
  \chemsetup[ox]{parse=false}
  \ch{
    "\ox{\delm,C}" -{} "\ox{\delp,M}" \qquad
    ( <-> "\ox{\delp,C}" -{} "\ox{\delm,Br}" )
  } \\
  \ch[adduct-space=0pt]{X. + .Y <=> X-Y + Bindungsenergie} \\
  \ch[name-format=\normalsize]{
    !(\State{H}{f}\qquad)() !(\textcolor{red}{??})( CH4\gas{} ) +
    !(\num{0})( 2 O2\gas{} )
    ->
    !(\num{-94.3})( CO2\gas{} ) +
    !(\num{-57.9})( H2O\lqd{} ) +
    !(\num{-192.1})( "\State{H}" )
  }
\end{example}

\begin{example}
  \newcommand\cstack[1]{%
    \clap{%
      \begin{tabular}{c}
        #1
      \end{tabular}
    }%
  }
  \begin{reactions*}
    CH3MgBr + "\ox*{1,Cu}" X &
      -> "\glqq" CH3 "\ox*{1,Cu}\grqq" + MgBrX "\qquad X~$=$~Br,I,CN" \\
    2 MeLi + CuI &
      -> !(\cstack{Dimethylcuprat\\(Gilmann-Cuprat)})( Me2CuLi ) + Li
  \end{reactions*}
\end{example}

\begin{example}
  % needs `chemfig'
  \begin{reactions*}
    H3C-CH3 + Cl2 &
      ->[$\Delta$][$h\nu$] H3CCH2Cl + HCl & &
      "\Enthalpy{-27.1}" \\
    H3C-CH3 + "\Lewis{0.,Cl}" &
      -> H3CCH2 "\Lewis{0.,\vphantom{H}}" + HCl & &
      "\Enthalpy{-5.0}" \\
    H3C-CH2 "\Lewis{0.,\vphantom{H}}" + Cl2 &
      -> H3CCH2Cl + "\Lewis{0.,Cl}" & &
      "\Enthalpy{-23.0}"
  \end{reactions*}
\end{example}

The following example shows how the cancelling of compounds could be
done\footnote{Inspired by a question on TeX.SE:
  \url{http://tex.stackexchange.com/q/30118/5049}}.
\begin{example}
  % needs `cancel'
  \begin{align*}
    \ch{\cancel{HCOOH\aq} + H2O\lqd{}  &<=> H3O^+\aq{} + \cancel{HCOO^-\aq}} \\
    \ch{\cancel{HCOO^-\aq} + H2O\lqd{} &<=> \cancel{HCOOH\aq} + OH^-\aq}\\[-1ex]
    \cline{1-2}
    \ch{H2O\lqd{} + H2O\lqd{} &<=> H3O^+\aq{} + OH^-\aq}    
  \end{align*}
\end{example}

\end{document}