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I would like to plot a molecule in 3D and use different colors for the same atom type in the molecule. For example, by using:

MoleculePlot3D[Molecule["NC(=O)C[C@H](C(=O)O)N"], ColorRules -> {"C" -> Black}]

all C atoms become Black. But how can I make, for example, the first C atom green, the second orange, etc?

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2 Answers 2

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Although I was suspecting Jason B. had an undocumented option up his sleeve, I will nevertheless post an alternative solution.

colors = {Green, Orange, Pink, Yellow};

(* Generate regular plot *)
mol = MoleculePlot3D[Molecule["NC(=O)C[C@H](C(=O)O)N"]]

(* Extract atom indices of carbons *)
ind = Flatten@Position[MoleculeValue["NC(=O)C[C@H](C(=O)O)N", "FullAtomList"], Atom["C"]]

(* Make colored spheres *)
atoms = MapThread[{#1, Sphere[#2, radius]} &, {colors, ind}]

(* Replace carbons with colored spheres *)
mol /. {{RGBColor[__], Sphere[ind, r_]} :> (atoms /. radius -> r)}

Color molecule

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  • $\begingroup$ This is great! Thanks! Wonder if one can easily change Opacity[] of the spheres. I tried so, but failed. $\endgroup$
    – ogledala
    Oct 21, 2022 at 11:01
  • $\begingroup$ You can: atoms = MapThread[{#1, Opacity[.5], Sphere[#2, radius]} &, {colors, ind}];. Just a note: take a look also at @JasonB. solution in which the bonds get the appropriate colors! My solution recolors only the atoms. $\endgroup$
    – Domen
    Oct 21, 2022 at 12:39
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This is underdocumented but the "ColorRules" option can take both atom indices and patterns.

MoleculePlot3D[Molecule["NC(=O)C[C@H](C(=O)O)N"], 
 ColorRules -> {2 -> Green, "C" -> Black, "O" -> Orange, 8 -> Pink}]

enter image description here

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  • $\begingroup$ Is it possible to target directly "the second carbon atom" with this approach, as the OP wants? Otherwise, one has to first extract the correct indices ... $\endgroup$
    – Domen
    Oct 19, 2022 at 19:33
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    $\begingroup$ I do not have a simple way to get that, other than something like AtomList[Molecule["caffeine"], "C", "AtomIndex"][[2]] $\endgroup$
    – Jason B.
    Oct 19, 2022 at 19:47
  • $\begingroup$ Thanks, @JasonB. Is there a way to add opacity as well? I tried x, but it did not work out. x = MoleculePlot3D[Molecule["NC(=O)C[C@H](C(=O)O)N"], ColorRules -> {2 -> {Green, Opacity[0.5]}}] $\endgroup$
    – ogledala
    Oct 21, 2022 at 22:10
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    $\begingroup$ @david1983, use Directive, for example: MoleculePlot3D[Molecule["NC(=O)C[C@H](C(=O)O)N"], ColorRules -> {2 -> Directive[Red, Opacity[.2]], "C" -> Black, "O" -> Orange, 8 -> Pink}] $\endgroup$
    – Domen
    Oct 21, 2022 at 22:37

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