[pieperkn33]

I am in need of the Skeletal Structure of CaSO^4 2H2O otherwise known as gypsum. I need the skeletal structure for an art project and could not find anything online so I came here, please *delete me*!!

[Arkcon]

Generally, the skeletal formula is mostly only interesting for organic molecules.  Mostly.  Carbon has the ability to make branches and rings, and other elements don't do that as effectively.  Also, very large molecules give interesting skeletal structures -- multiple carbons can be linked in varying ways. 

You're in luck however, this forum supports SMILES, so when I type:

Code: [Select]

[SMILES][Ca+2].[O-]S([O-])(=O)=O[/SMILES]
the forum generates for us:

[Corribus]

Calcium sulfate in crystal form is a quasi-infinite repeating ionic compound, so it would be difficult to draw a discrete skeletal structure as you would a neutral molecule. The anhydrous form would look something like this (extended in every direction to the crystal boundaries). The hydrated form would also have water molecules scattered regularly throughout, and the spatial arrangement of the sulfate and calcium ions would be somewhat different as well.