Chemical Formula Isotopes in LibreOffice Math

Writing chemical formulas with isotope notations in LibreOffice Math requires placing superscripts (mass numbers) and subscripts (atomic numbers) on the left side of the element symbol. This guide explains how to use left-hand script commands (lsup and lsub), format text to prevent unwanted italicization, and combine prescripts with standard charges and stoichiometry indices.

The Basic Syntax for Isotopes

In LibreOffice Math, standard superscripts (^ or sup) and subscripts (_ or sub) attach to the right of an element. To place numbers to the left of an element symbol for isotope notation, use the lsup (left superscript) and lsub (left subscript) commands.

• Left Superscript (Mass Number): lsup {mass_number}
• Left Subscript (Atomic Number): lsub {atomic_number}

Both commands must precede the element symbol.

Preventing Italicization

By default, LibreOffice Math treats letters as mathematical variables and renders them in italics. Chemical element symbols should be displayed in upright (roman) text. To keep element symbols upright, enclose them in double quotation marks ("...").

Examples of Isotope Notation

1. Mass Number Only

To write Carbon-14 (\(^{14}\text{C}\)):

lsup {14} "C"

2. Mass Number and Atomic Number

To write Uranium-238 (\(^{238}_{92}\text{U}\)), combine lsup and lsub before the element:

lsup {238} lsub {92} "U"

3. Complete Notation with Charges and Quantities

To include an isotope with an ionic charge (\(^{14}_{\phantom{0}6}\text{C}^{4+}\)) or right-hand indices, attach standard sup/^ and sub/_ commands after the element symbol:

lsup {14} lsub {6} "C"^{4+}

For diatomic isotopic molecules, such as a Deuterium molecule (\(^{2}_{1}\text{H}_2\)):

lsup {2} lsub {1} "H"_2

Full Nuclear Reaction Example

To write a complete balanced nuclear equation, use spaces and operator symbols between formula segments:

lsup {238} lsub {92} "U" -> lsup {234} lsub {90} "Th" + lsup {4} lsub {2} "He"