Better BibTeX exports chemical formulas/math expressions without proper LaTeX formatting in title field

[draftman9]

Description:
When exporting references using Better BibTeX, chemical formulas and mathematical expressions in the title field are not properly formatted with LaTeX math mode, unlike the official export from journal websites.

Expected Behavior:
Chemical formulas like H₂⁺ should be exported with proper LaTeX math formatting, e.g., H${}_{2}{}^{+}$ as seen in the official APS export.

Actual Behavior:
Better BibTeX exports the title with the chemical formula as plain text: Dynamic {{Stark}} Effect and Interference Photoelectron Spectra of {{H}} 2 +

Steps to Reproduce:

1. Import or add the reference "Dynamic Stark effect and interference photoelectron spectra of H₂⁺" to Zotero
2. Export using Better BibTeX with default settings
3. Observe that the chemical formula in the title lacks proper LaTeX math formatting

Example Comparison:

Better BibTeX export:

@article{yuDynamicStarkEffect2013,
  title = {Dynamic {{Stark}} Effect and Interference Photoelectron Spectra of {{H}} 2 +},
  # ... other fields
}

Official APS export:

@article{PhysRevA.88.043408,
  title = {Dynamic Stark effect and interference photoelectron spectra of H${}_{2}{}^{+}$},
  # ... other fields
}

[retorquere]

Right click that entry and choose BBT - send log

[retorquere]

@draftman9 the reason I'm asking for a debug log is that for me H₂⁺ exports to {{H}}{$_{2}^{+}$}}, so I suspect that you do not have H₂⁺ in your Zotero library. This is why I need debug logs. The debug logs shows exactly what you have in this item rather than me having to guess from the description what may or may not be in your library.

I don't know what input in your library leads to {{H}} 2 +}, but I don't see how it could be H₂⁺. Without a debug log, I cannot help you.

[retorquere]

Without further feedback I am going to have to close this issue.

[draftman9]

Sorry for late reply. This should be the debug log.

[retorquere]

The item in your library has the title (verbatim) Dynamic Stark effect and interference photoelectron spectra of H 2 +. That is what BBT has to work with, so what you are getting is the only reasonable output. I don't know how this item got into your library, but that's where the problem lies.

Next time, can you please choose to submit the debug log and post just the ID, rather than saving it and attaching it here? Saves me time, and it's also more private for you; the logs here are public, the submitted logs can only be accessed by me.

[draftman9]

Oh I see. Thank you for your time!

[draftman9]

I know why its title display in a wrong format. At the time I first used zotero, I dragged the .pdf file into it and it automatically generated a wrong title, which I have just reproduced it.