# Removing horizontal space around \textperiodcentered

I would like to write a chemical formula, either using \ce{} from the mhchem package or without. It contains a dot like the multiplication sign \cdot from math. It means that for example Li is coordinated by O.

At the moment I am using Li\textperiodcentered OEt, the horizontal space around the dot is massive, is there a way to get rid of it and make it behave like a normal character?

One alternative solution would be to get rid of the horizontal space around $\cdot$.

I'd use the chemformula package – it allows to control the spacing:

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage[version=4]{mhchem}
\usepackage{chemformula}
\begin{document}

\texttt{mhchem}: \ce{Li.O}

\texttt{chemformula}: \ch{Li.O}

\setchemformula{
adduct-space = 0.1em % default setting is 0.1333em
}

\texttt{chemformula}: \ch{Li.O}

\end{document}


• Thanks for helping, but I would like to get them closer together, still... – dabozz Mar 6 '18 at 10:19
• @dabozz well, then use less then 0.1em (that's just an example I used , you can even use 0pt or negative spacing!) – cgnieder Mar 6 '18 at 10:31
• Oh, I was not aware of that. In the end I used -0.2em. Thanks! – dabozz Mar 7 '18 at 12:48