An algorithm has been developed and implemented to generate for each chemical structure a unique and invariant linear name which includes double bond and asymmetric carbon isomerism. A logical proof is given for the one-to-one correspondence between name and structure. By inspection of the linear names of two structures, one can determine if the two structures are identical, nonisomeric, constitutionally isomeric, diastereomeric, or enantiomeric. The algorithm determines the true stereocenters and calculates a reduced set of chiral centers, SRC. It is proven that if there are any centers in SRC that the compound must be chiral; an achiral compound must have SRC = null. Extensions of the algorithm are outlined to allow uniquely naming conformational isomers. onunique representations of chemical structures are
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