Mhchem arrows length

Question

Is it somehow possible to change the default length of arrows in chemical reactions using mhchem? In particular I would need to reduce its length, both for single and for double (equilibrium) arrows. I ask, if possible, coherent solutions, in the sense of commands designed for this package, if they exist. I tried something like \ce{a + b ->[-5pt] c}, it seems to not work

This post says how to make double arrow longer? Have you seen this before? — Majid Abdolshah, Mar 29 '19 at 01:58
Yes, I saw it. But I need something in order to reduce it, not to make it longer — TFra6, Mar 29 '19 at 10:27
The author of mhchem replied and said “I am quite busy at the moment, but I will eventually implement your suggestion.” — egreg, Apr 02 '19 at 08:56

score 3 · Accepted Answer · answered Mar 30 '19 at 23:16

3

The package doesn't provide a way to set the minimum arrow width, but it's possible to add it.

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage[version=4]{mhchem}

\ExplSyntaxOn
\keys_define:nn { mhchem }
 {
  arrow-min-length .code:n =
   \cs_set:Npn \__mhchem_arrow_options_minLength:n { {#1} } % default is 2em
 }
\ExplSyntaxOff

\begin{document}

\ce{A + B -> C}

\ce{A + B <-> C}

\ce{A + B <=> C}

\mhchemoptions{arrow-min-length=1em}

\ce{A + B -> C}

\ce{A + B <-> C}

\ce{A + B <=> C}

\end{document}

You can use \mhchemoptions{arrow-min-length=1em} in the preamble to set the length globally, or locally in some environment.

answered Mar 30 '19 at 23:16

egreg

1,121,712

I was to the pag. 18 of mhchem package and I was not understood the code \mhchemoptions{arrows=% pgf{Kite[length=0pt 4,width’=0pt 1]}{0.15ex}} \ce{A <--> B} – Sebastiano Mar 30 '19 at 23:19
1

@Sebastiano That's for changing the shape of the arrow tips. – egreg Mar 30 '19 at 23:20
I thought that it was the key of the solution. – Sebastiano Mar 30 '19 at 23:21
This has no effect for me - if I run your code, all the arrows come out the same, long, length. – N. Virgo Feb 08 '20 at 08:08
@Nathaniel I don't know what to say: I tried on a fresh document with everything updated and it works as advertised. – egreg Feb 08 '20 at 09:16

Mhchem arrows length

1 Answers1