diff --git a/src/main/org/openscience/cdk/tools/manipulator/AtomContainerComparatorBy2DCenter.java b/src/main/org/openscience/cdk/tools/manipulator/AtomContainerComparatorBy2DCenter.java
index <HASH>..<HASH> 100644
--- a/src/main/org/openscience/cdk/tools/manipulator/AtomContainerComparatorBy2DCenter.java
+++ b/src/main/org/openscience/cdk/tools/manipulator/AtomContainerComparatorBy2DCenter.java
@@ -62,11 +62,11 @@ public class AtomContainerComparatorBy2DCenter implements Comparator<IAtomContai
 
     }
 
-    /* minimum point to use when an null container is provided */
-    private static final Point2d MINIMUM = new Point2d(Double.MAX_VALUE, Double.MAX_VALUE);
+    /* maximum point to use when an null container is provided (sorts null to end) */
+    private static final Point2d MAXIMUM = new Point2d(Double.MAX_VALUE, Double.MAX_VALUE);
 
     private static Point2d center(IAtomContainer container){
-        return container != null ? GeometryTools.get2DCenter(container) : MINIMUM;
+        return container != null ? GeometryTools.get2DCenter(container) : MAXIMUM;
     }
 
 }
renamed variable 'minimum' and added explanation as to why it is used.