Chemistry TOC Graphics: Examples and Templates for ACS, RSC, and Wiley Journals
2025/11/15

Chemistry TOC Graphics: Examples and Templates for ACS, RSC, and Wiley Journals

Create stunning chemistry TOC graphics with AI. Examples, templates, and prompts for organic, inorganic, materials, and biochemistry publications.

Chemistry journals pioneered the use of TOC (Table of Contents) graphics, and today they remain essential for publication visibility. A well-designed chemistry TOC graphic can significantly boost your paper's readership and citations.

This guide provides specific examples, templates, and AI prompts for creating chemistry TOC graphics across all major subfields.

Chemistry TOC Example Professional chemistry TOC graphics combine scientific accuracy with visual appeal

Chemistry TOC Graphics Overview

What Makes Chemistry TOC Graphics Unique

Chemistry TOC graphics have specific requirements:

  • Molecular accuracy: Structures must be chemically correct
  • Reaction clarity: Transformations should be obvious
  • Compact format: Typically 2:1 aspect ratio
  • Visual hierarchy: Key molecules/concepts prominent
  • Journal compliance: Meet specific publisher requirements

Publisher Requirements

PublisherSizeFormatStyle
ACS3.25 × 1.75 inTIFF/EPSClean, white background
RSC8 × 4 cmTIFFFlexible
WileyVariesTIFF/JPEGJournal-specific
Elsevier1328 × 531 pxJPEG/PNGClean design

Organic Chemistry TOC Examples

Synthesis and Methodology

Total synthesis highlight:

Organic synthesis TOC graphic,
target natural product structure on right side,
retrosynthetic arrow pointing left,
key intermediates shown along pathway,
highlight key transformation in center,
reaction conditions "Pd(0), 80°C, 92% yield",
total synthesis publication style,
ACS format 3.25 × 1.75 inches

Methodology development:

New reaction methodology TOC graphic,
generic transformation scheme:
"Starting material A + Reagent B → Product C",
scope examples in corner (4-6 structures),
key features highlighted: "room temperature",
"air-stable", "broad scope",
organic letters style format

Asymmetric catalysis:

Asymmetric catalysis TOC graphic,
prochiral substrate on left,
chiral catalyst structure in center with arrow,
enantioenriched product on right,
ee value prominently displayed "98% ee",
transition state model inset,
stereochemistry clearly indicated

Mechanistic Studies

Reaction mechanism:

Mechanistic study TOC graphic,
catalytic cycle representation,
key intermediates around cycle,
rate-determining step highlighted,
evidence: "KIE = 3.2", "ρ = -1.8",
mechanistic chemistry style,
educational but publication-ready

Inorganic Chemistry TOC Examples

Coordination Chemistry

Metal complex synthesis:

Coordination compound TOC graphic,
central metal complex structure,
ligand binding highlighted with colors,
metal center: "[Cu(II)]" or "[Ru(III)]",
coordination geometry clear (octahedral/square planar),
applications icon (catalysis/sensing/medicine),
inorganic chemistry journal format

Organometallic chemistry:

Organometallic complex TOC graphic,
metal-carbon bonds clearly shown,
oxidative addition/reductive elimination arrows,
catalytic relevance indicated,
supporting ligands labeled,
organometallics journal style

Materials and Nanoscience

Nanoparticle synthesis:

Nanoparticle synthesis TOC graphic,
precursors on left: metal salt + reducing agent,
reaction vessel icon in center,
nanoparticles on right with size "15 ± 2 nm",
TEM-style image representation,
application context (catalysis/sensing),
nanomaterials TOC format

Physical Chemistry TOC Examples

Spectroscopy and Analysis

Spectroscopic study:

Spectroscopy research TOC graphic,
molecular structure with highlighted chromophore,
absorption/emission spectrum overlay,
wavelength values labeled "λmax = 450 nm",
photophysical process diagram,
PCCP or JPC style format

Computational chemistry:

Computational chemistry TOC graphic,
molecular orbital visualization,
energy level diagram,
key computational result highlighted,
method notation "DFT/B3LYP/6-311G**",
theoretical chemistry publication style

Kinetics and Thermodynamics

Kinetic study:

Kinetics research TOC graphic,
reaction coordinate diagram,
activation energy barrier labeled "Ea",
rate constants compared,
Arrhenius or Eyring plot inset,
physical chemistry journal style

Biochemistry and Chemical Biology TOC Examples

Enzyme and Protein Studies

Enzyme mechanism:

Enzyme mechanism TOC graphic,
protein active site representation,
substrate binding and transformation,
catalytic residues highlighted,
product release indicated,
biochemistry journal style,
JACS or Biochemistry format

Drug-target interaction:

Drug discovery TOC graphic,
target protein surface (simple representation),
drug molecule in binding pocket,
key interactions shown (H-bonds, hydrophobic),
IC50 value: "IC50 = 12 nM",
medicinal chemistry style

Bioconjugation and Chemical Biology

Bioconjugation chemistry:

Bioconjugation TOC graphic,
biomolecule (protein/antibody) on left,
chemical handle/linker in middle,
payload (drug/fluorophore/tag) on right,
conjugation chemistry highlighted,
chemical biology journal format

Methodology Infographic Effective TOC graphics balance information density with visual clarity

Materials Chemistry TOC Examples

Polymer Chemistry

Polymer synthesis:

Polymer chemistry TOC graphic,
monomer structure on left,
polymerization arrow with conditions,
polymer structure on right (repeat unit),
properties: "Mn = 25 kDa, Đ = 1.05",
application context,
macromolecules journal style

Self-assembly:

Self-assembly TOC graphic,
small molecules at top,
assembly process arrow,
supramolecular structure at bottom,
hierarchy of organization shown,
soft matter style illustration

Energy Materials

Battery materials:

Battery research TOC graphic,
electrode material structure,
Li-ion intercalation shown,
performance metrics: "capacity, cycle life",
cell diagram context,
energy materials journal format

Solar cells:

Photovoltaic material TOC graphic,
molecular structure of sensitizer/absorber,
device architecture schematic,
efficiency value "PCE = 15.2%",
J-V curve inset,
solar energy materials style

Creating Chemistry TOC Graphics with AI

Best Practices for Chemistry Prompts

Include these elements:

  1. Molecular structures (describe key features)
  2. Reaction arrows and conditions
  3. Numerical data (yields, selectivity, properties)
  4. Visual emphasis on key finding
  5. Journal-specific format

Prompt Template

[Subfield] chemistry TOC graphic,
[main concept/transformation/structure],
[key molecules/compounds described],
[numerical results highlighted],
[visual style specification],
[journal format: ACS/RSC/Wiley],
[aspect ratio, typically landscape 2:1]

Example Prompts by Category

Catalysis:

Catalysis TOC graphic for JACS,
cross-coupling reaction scheme,
aryl halide + boronic acid → biaryl product,
novel Pd catalyst structure shown,
"TON > 10,000" highlighted,
substrate scope examples (4 products),
clean white background, ACS format

Supramolecular:

Supramolecular chemistry TOC graphic,
host-guest complex illustration,
cage or macrocycle structure as host,
bound guest molecule highlighted,
binding constant "Ka = 10^6 M-1",
applications icon (sensing/catalysis),
chemistry of materials style

Analytical:

Analytical chemistry TOC graphic,
sensing mechanism illustrated,
analyte binding → signal change,
selectivity demonstration (bar graph style),
detection limit "LOD = 10 nM",
real sample application shown,
analytical chemistry journal format

Common Chemistry TOC Mistakes

1. Incorrect Stereochemistry

Problem: Wrong wedge/dash bonds, undefined stereocenters Solution: Double-check all stereochemistry; use proper conventions

2. Unclear Reaction Arrows

Problem: Direction of transformation unclear Solution: Use clear arrows with conditions above/below

3. Cluttered Structures

Problem: Too many molecules, unreadable at small size Solution: Simplify; show only key structures

4. Missing Key Data

Problem: No yields, selectivity, or performance metrics Solution: Include 1-2 key numerical results

5. Wrong Format

Problem: Dimensions don't match journal requirements Solution: Check guidelines before creating

Tools for Chemistry TOC Graphics

AI Generation (Concepts and Layouts)

  • SciDraw AI: Best for overall TOC composition
  • Generate layout, then add precise structures

Molecular Structures

  • ChemDraw: Industry standard
  • MarvinSketch: Free alternative
  • RDKit: Programmatic generation
  1. Concept with AI: Generate overall composition with SciDraw AI
  2. Structures separately: Draw molecules in ChemDraw
  3. Combine: Assemble in Illustrator/PowerPoint
  4. Export: Correct format for journal

Start Creating Your Chemistry TOC

Ready to create impactful chemistry TOC graphics?

  1. Visit SciDraw AI Drawing
  2. Use prompts from this guide as templates
  3. Customize for your specific chemistry
  4. Add precise molecular structures as needed
  5. Export in journal-required format

Make your next chemistry paper stand out with professional TOC graphics.


Create your scientific figures with AI

Thousands of researchers use SciDraw AI to make publication-ready figures for papers, grants, and journal submissions — in minutes, with no design skills.