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Adding or Changing Bonds
Single, double and triple bonds are all available on the structure palette. In each case, the bond may be added between two atoms (with the requisite number of replaceable H available), or as a group that is attached at only one end, with the other end not in the proximity of any other atom. In the latter case, a terminal carbon will be added by default. Thus, to add a methyl group, one would simply draw an 'unterminated' bond in the same manner as described for Adding Groups.
CONVERTING SINGLE TO DOUBLE BONDS
The single bond can also be used to convert single bonds to double, and double to triple bonds, by simply drawing another bond between the two atoms. Ring bonds may also be converted to double bonds in this fashion. When drawing the bond, make certain that the end points are in close proximity to the target ring atom; otherwise, MSC may add a bonded methyl group instead. The program checks valence states on every addition, and it will not permit the addition of a bond if the host atoms valence would be violated. However, it is possible to override this by adding one or more additional hydrogens to the host atom using the Valence function.
REDUCING BONDS
Bonds can be 'reduced' by using the Reduce Bonds option on the Edit menu, or by clicking the F10 shortcut key. All bonds other than those in aromatic rings will be marked with a small dot; aromatic bonds cannot be reduced in this manner. Click on a dot to either reduce the bond or delete it (if it is a single bond). Whenever adding or changing a bond (or any structure for that matter), if the result is not as you want, you can always use Undo and Redo to revert to a previous structure.