A Socratic prompt could be phrased as: "What experimental results would disprove this proposed reaction pathway, and are there alternative pathways that better explain the data?" By contrast, a non-Socratic prompt might simply ask: "What are the steps in this reaction pathway?" The Socratic prompt challenges the model to engage with the evidence, systematically refine ideas, and propose alternatives, encouraging a deeper exploration of the problem. This approach mirrors the iterative nature of hypothesis elimination in scientific discovery, ensuring that LLMs are not just retrieving information but actively participating in the refinement of hypotheses. Through hypothesis elimination, Socratic prompts nudge LLMs to discard incorrect ideas systematically, refining plausible solutions and enhancing chemical problem-solving.