-X (single bond to X)

-X (single bond to X)

Specifies that a single bond to 'X' must exist. 'X' may be either an element symbol, an id for another type specifier, or a list containing one or both of these to allow more flexible specifications. If used inside the bracketed part of a ring description this only indicates that the atom/type should be present within the cycle - the connection to the target atom is unimportant. If used in a chain keyword the connection type is honoured.

For example:

Table 8.3. NETA keyword '-X' examples

CommandMeaning
-HA single bond to a hydrogen atom
-&120A single bond to an atom which matches type ID 120 (see reusing types)
-[C,N]A single bond to either a carbon or a nitrogen
-[F,Cl,Br,I,At]A single bond to any halogen atom
-[&10,&11,&18,-Kr]A single bond to an atom with type ID 10, 11, or 18, or a krypton atom