Coloring Book Chemistry, Part 4

Roulland, 2012

While casually strolling through the JOC ASAPs, I came across another one of those structures, sitting astride an otherwise fine synthesis of (-)-Exiguolide.

At first, I just thought it was another KCN macrolide, but then, I realized the truth: none of these authors have ever worked with him. They've colored the structure in on their own!

The 'coloring-book compound' disease appears to be spreading...

Now, I ask you, dear readers: how does this pigmentation contribute to knowledge about the molecule? After all, Fuwa, Lee, and Scheidt have all managed to construct exiguolide without reaching for the crayons or paint set; don't ask about Rao, his might be worse.

Rao, 2012

I can understand use of color to highlight a transformation, sure, or maybe to map synthons onto a structure. But does this much really help?

Do colored structures entice you to read on, or do they get under your skin, even just a little bit? Share your opinions in the comments.