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How to find out in Chemistry
Introduction
The aim of this guide is to help you find information in Chemistry. Whether you are looking for information for a project or dissertation or just looking for some facts, figures or addresses. The guide is aimed primarily at staff and students of Heriot-Watt University. However, it may also be of use to anyone looking for printed or electronic information in the field of Chemistry but please note that access to our electronic resources is restricted to Heriot-Watt staff and students.
For staff and students see Distance Learning and off-campus access AND Heriot-Watt Virtual Private Network (HW Connectra VPN) for off-campus access information.
If you require further advice or assistance, ask us for help.
What's new in the library?
Visit Spineless? the Library blog to find out.
Information skills
A vast amount of information available to you from the library and other sources. Pinpointing the information you want and evaluating different sources can seem a bit daunting and can take up a lot of time. Information skills will help you to carry out these tasks more effectively by helping you to: -
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define your topic
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find the information you require
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select quality information
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organise and record the information used
Information skills will make information seeking more fruitful and time efficient. Sources which are of good quality, used to good effect and which are well documented will also contribute to the quality of your project and ultimately to the mark you are given.
Basic information skills
Facts and figures
If you want brief factual information try-
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Dictionaries, encyclopaedias and data compendia found in Quick Reference section of the library on Level 2
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See Finding Factual Information and Numeric Data for more information
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Websites such as -
Compiled by Duke University Library. Browse by property to find relevant information sources then use Heriot Watt Library catalogue to see if we have the item available.
Finding physical & chemical properties
Compiled by the Science and Engineering
library at Vanderbilt University. Browse by property to find
relevant information sources then use Heriot Watt Library
catalogue to see if we have the
item available.
Summary information on a topic
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Consult a recently published textbook. Use the catalogue to find appropriate titles.
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Locate a review article from a journal. Search using databases. Most will enable you to limit to review articles.
Detailed information on a topic
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Consult a recent journal article. Search using databases
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Look also for conference proceedings or theses/dissertations
Keeping up-to-date with a topic
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Sign up for current awareness service/s. These can send details of recently published articles, tables of contents of latest journal issues and search updates direct to your desktop via email or RSS feed.
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Look at news-based periodicals (eg European Chemical News) and letters-type journals (eg Chemistry Letters) - where publication delay is minimised.
Finding help
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Ask us a question
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Use help pages, guides or on-line tutorials offered by individual databases, internet sites etc
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Contact your Subject Librarian
Literature searching
At some point in your studies or research, you will be required to search the literature to find out what has been published on topic. How you go about this can have a major impact on the amount, relevance and quality of the information you locate. Equally, the information you find and how you use it will have a bearing on the quality of your final assignment or project. The steps below will assist you in searching the literature effectively and efficiently:-
| Define topic |
| Plan search |
| Find relevant information sources |
| Find relevant information (literature searching) |
| Evaluate information |
| Organise & record information (taking references) |
Define topic
Defining your topic is a vital first step in the search process. It forms the basis of the whole search. If you don't know what you're looking for - the chances are you won't find it. Equally, if you don't ask the right questions you won't get the right answers. Therefore, it is very important to have a clear, focused question for your assignment/research. Its a good idea to talk to your lecturer/supervisor to clarify any ambiguities at the outset.
Plan search
Planning your search is also a vitally important stage in the search process. It outlines how you intend to go about searching. Working this out before you start can save a lot of wasted time and effort. Having a plan will enable you to work in a methodical way. This systematic approach allows you to see what results are retrieved at each stage of the search. It is important to bear in mind that searching is an iterative process. This means your are unlikely to find exactly what you are looking for first time. Revising and re-running searches is common practice. Having a search plan makes it easier to modify and re-execute your search.
To plan your search, use the following steps:-
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Identify key concepts - highlight keywords in research/essay question
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Build a search strategy
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list keywords for each concept
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include alternative terms for keywords (synonyms, American spellings, etc)
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list possible broader or narrower terms for keywords
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Decide how you want keywords to be combined (e.g. with AND, OR, NOT). These are called boolean or logical operators.
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It's a good idea to get this all down on paper to create a 'search map'
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Set limits e.g.
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decide what years to search
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decide what type of material is required (eg original articles, review articles, etc)
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decide whether you want to limit to English language documents
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Find relevant information sources
Once you have defined your topic and formulated a search plan, the next step is to identify relevant information sources to consult or search. There are some useful resources to help with this including guidebooks and the following web sources:
Clearing House for Chemical Information Sources
A guide to the many sources of reference materials available for those with questions related to chemistry from Indiana University.
From Indiana University. Contains some 2500 records of books and other reference material in Chemistry. It is useful for finding reference material by subject. Each record contains full information about the printed work, database, software or other item. Use it to then see if we have the resource in Heriot Watt Library - using our catalogue or databases list.
Information sources on synthesis
Compiled by Indiana University. Browse to find relevant information sources then use Heriot Watt Library catalogue to see if we have the item available
Compiled by Duke University Library. Browse by property to find relevant information sources then use Heriot Watt Library catalogue to see if we have the item available.
Finding physical & chemical properties
Compiled by the Science and Engineering library at Vanderbilt University. Browse by property to find relevant information sources then use Heriot Watt Library catalogue to see if we have the item available.
From the University of Texas, Austin, Thermodex contains records for selected printed and web-based compilations of thermochemical and thermophysical data for chemical compounds and other substances. Search by property and compound to find out what handbooks contain the relevant data. Then see if the item is available in Heriot Watt Library using our catalogue.
From Rochester Institute of Technology. Use this site to find reference materials containing spectral data the use Heriot Watt Library catalogue. to see if we have the item.
Library website
The
library website is an excellent launch-pad to a
wide range of Heriot Watt and external information
resources - including
catalogues,
electronic journal lists,
how to find out guides,
databases and internet resources.
Catalogues
Use the Heriot Watt University Library catalogue to find books and journals held in Heriot Watt University Library. Consult the catalogue help pages for tips on searching. Search in other libraries' catalogues if you don't find what you are looking for in Heriot Watt University Library.
Electronic journals
Find electronic journals by using the following -
| library catalogue |
| electronic journals A-Z list |
| electronic journal providers (all subjects) |
| electronic journal providers (Chemistry) |
Most electronic journal sites will offer help pages, guides or on-line tutorials to assist you in searching. Although many search functions will be common across journal providers, each will have its own features. The guides will help you get to know individual ways of working.
Databases
The library offers access to a wide range of databases which will enable you to search for journal articles (abstracts or full-text), conference proceedings, etc. Use links below to link to databases information:-
Most databases will offer help pages, guides or on-line tutorials to assist you in searching. Although many search functions will be common across databases, each will have its own features. The guides will help you get to know individual ways of working.
Each database will have a different scope and coverage - although some may overlap in the subjects they cover. Use 'information' or 'scope note' buttons within databases to find out exactly what the subject coverage is. This will ensure use of a resource appropriate to the subject you are searching for.
Internet
As well as books and journals you may wish to consult websites for your projects and assignments. Search and browse for relevant web resources using our Internet resources (Chemistry) or the following services:
Search scholarly literature using the familiar Google search engine.
This services allow you to perform a search across library databases and public websites simultaneously. Automatically retrieves 'Web Sites' based on your search terms which are displayed as an option to view in your search results.
Finding quality information on the web can be an issue. To help ensure access to robust and/or scholarly information sources try Intute. This provides access to a series of Internet resource catalogues containing descriptions of high quality Internet sites, selected and described by specialists from within UK academia and affiliated organisations. Value-added services such as interactive Web tutorials and alerting services are also provided to enable users to make more of their time on the Internet. See also Intute's Chemistry pages
SIRCh: Selected Internet Resources for chemistry - from Indiana University
Find relevant information (literature searching)
Once you have defined your topic, formulated a search plan and identified relevant information sources the next step is to search the resources for information. With books and journals this will be a matter of scanning and reading the material you have located. However, with catalogues, databases and some internet resources, further searching is required. Most of these resources will offer help pages or on-line tutorials to assist you in the specifics of searching each resource.
Details of how to build a search strategy are given in the Plan Search section of this page.
Hints & tips
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To obtain an overview or critical analysis of a topic search for review articles. Review articles may also give extensive bibliographies referring you to other key texts. Most databases will allow you to restrict your search to review articles by limiting by publication type.
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Start to build a collection of keywords for your subject. Highlight terms used in the literature you find which are used to describe your topic. You can then use these as terms for further searching.
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Consult the user guide or help pages of each database you are using. Some may even have on-line tutorials to work through. Most resources will share common features but may also have unique commands and other individual features.
Further reading
371.3BEL
BELL. Doing your research project: A guide for first time researchers in education and social sciences (1999)
371.3BLA
Blaxter. How to research (2001)
371.3GAS
GASH. Effective literature searching for research (2002)
371.3LUC
LUCK. Your student research project (1999)
Evaluate information
Once you have done your literature search the next step is to evaluate the quality of information you have found - particularly if found on the Internet. Depending on the level of the research you are doing - this process can be more or less involved. The main points to look for are:
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Authority - is author/organisation reputable, what credentials do they have?
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Objectivity - look for bias, signs of vested interest from the author/s, advertising, etc
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Accuracy - are there obvious factual errors, spelling mistakes or grammatical errors?
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Currency - is date of publication clear, does date meet your requirements?
Useful websites
Interactive tutorial evaluating the quality of Internet resources
Interactive tutorial from Intute's Virtual Training Suite
Organise & record information (taking references)
Taking references is an important part of the study process enabling you to make use of and cite the work of others properly. Failure to acknowledge your sources using citing & referencing may lead to accusations of plagiarism. For more information on this see the University's Student Guide to Plagiarism.
Its a good idea to note all relevant references in full as you find them, even if you are not sure how useful they might be. Also, keep a note of where you find your references - you may need this if you apply for an inter-library loan. If you take a photocopy, make sure that you keep a note of the periodical title and volume number, or book details, from which it was taken, in case you wish to cite it. It can be very difficult to check back later.
You might want to keep details of all your references in a card file or notebook or easier still by saving them to reference management software such as EndNote or EndNote Web
Recording details in full as you go along will help you:-
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compile your bibliography or reading list
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enable you to link points you make in your text to evidence of your reading so helping -
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add weight to your argument
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avoid accusations of plagiarism - see the University's Student Guide to Plagiarism
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submit all details required for inter-library loan requests
Citation styles
It is important that bibliographic details are recorded in an accurate and consistent manner. To help with this, there are a number of formats or citation styles which can be used to record these details. The style you use may depend on what your School prefers, your subject area or if you are publishing, which journal you are writing for. Once you have decided on a style, it is important to be accurate and maintain a consistent style within your list of references. There are numerous different styles of citing & referencing. However, essential information to note for a book includes author, initials, title, edition (if not first), place of publication, publisher and year of publication. e.g.
MAIZELL, R.E. How to find chemical information. (3rd Edn.) New York: John Wiley, 1998.
Essential information to note for a periodical article includes author, title of the article, title of the periodical, volume, part number, year and pages, e.g.
ELROD, M.J. and SAYKALLY, R.J. Many body effects of intermolecular forces. Chemical Reviews, 94(7), 1994, 75-97.
Many chemical journals use their
own styles, which may reorganise or omit some of the information above.
The Royal Society of Chemistry has its own format in which the reference shown above would appear as:
M.J. Elrod and R.J. Saykally, Chem Rev., 1994, 94, 75.
More information on using the RSC style and on citing and referencing is available from the University of Leicester guide.
Using the RSC style, the journal name is abbreviated using the standard abbreviations of the Chemical Abstracts Service Source Index (CASSI). A listing of CASSI abbreviations can be found in the first issue of each new year's RSC journals ( e.g. Journal of the Chemical Society) or on the RSC website
Citing & referencing guides & tutorials
Portsmouth University interactive referencing guide / University of Bath / University of Reading
Monash University Library: n-line tutorial on citing and referencing
Chicago Manual of Style (1993)
Available in: Quick reference 810.61
Chicago Manual of style / University of Wisconsin Madison: Writing Center
Bournemouth University / Leeds University / University of Leicester
Leicester University /
British Medical Association- Reference Styles
Guides to citing electronic materials
Electronic style: a guide to citing electronic information
Available in : Quick Reference 810.61Li
IFLA / Online! A reference guide to using Internet sources: Citation styles
Information skills tutorials
Information literacy tutorial from the University of Southern Queensland.
Information Retrieval Skills for Chemistry
Tutorial from the University of Leicester
This is an openly available WebCT module for information skills developed by Manchester Metropolitan University. Username and password both: infoskills_guest
Interactive tutorial from Intute's Virtual Training Suite
Interactive tutorial evaluating the quality of Internet resources
Developed by the Open University covering various information skills.
Overview of the Internet with step-by-step, practical guidance to using search engines and advanced searching of the Internet
For more hints on literature searching and how to manage your research project see:
Dane. Research methods
371.3 DAN
Fink. Conducting research literature reviews
301.07 FIN
Friedman. The research tool kit: putting it all together
301.97 FRI
Gash. Effective literature searching for research.
371.3 GAS
Irving. No sweat!: the indispensable guide to reports and
dissertations
810.61 IRV
Kumar. Research methodology: a step-by-step guide for beginners
301.07 KUM
Luck. Your student research project.
371.3 LUC
Potter. Doing postgraduate research
371.3 POT
Rudestam. Surviving your dissertation: A comprehensive guide to content and process
810.61 RUD
Shuter. How (not) to do research
371.3 SHU
Silyn-Roberts.Writing for science: a practical handbook for
science, engineering and technology students
810.61 SIL
Walliman. Your research project: a step-by-step guide for the first time researcher
371.3 WAL
Guidebooks
If you are fairly new to your subject area, you may want to use a guidebook to get a broad overview of the available information sources. These published guides give sources of information on particular subjects, just like this 'How to Find Out Guide'. They may be more comprehensive, and will list sources not necessarily held in Heriot-Watt University Library.
MAIZELL. How to find chemical information: A guide for practicing chemists, educators and students. (1998)
Quick Reference: 540 MAI
Books and eBooks
Use the Library catalogue to look for books and eBooks held in Heriot Watt University library.
Most catalogue entries have a classmark indicating the location of the
book on the library shelf. Standard loan chemistry books are shelved numerically by classmark on
Level 3 of the library with the classmark shown on the spine of each
book.
Some useful classmarks in the field of chemistry
are listed below. although it is usually better to search the Library
Catalogue than browse around the shelves.
|
Chemistry (General) |
540 |
|
Physical and Theoretical Chemistry |
541 |
|
Analytical Chemistry |
543 |
|
Spectroscopy |
543.0858 |
|
Inorganic Chemistry |
546 |
|
Metals |
546.3 |
|
Organic Chemistry |
547 |
|
Hetereocyclic Compounds |
547.59 |
|
Polymers |
547.84 |
|
Crystallography |
548 |
Other library catalogues
If Heriot Watt University Library does not have the book/s you are looking for, try searching in other libraries' catalogues. It is possible to arrange reference or borrowing rights to many other libraries - including other university libraries in Edinburgh and the National Library of Scotland. See Access to other libraries for Heriot Watt Staff and Students for more information.
Other sources
Books by Caltech (California Institute of Technology) authors
Enables searching across a broad range of scholarly literature (books, journal articles, theses, preprints) from multiple sources. Results ranked by relevance and citedness. Some full-text availability. Effective and efficient for natural language searching and looking for known items. Less precise for systematic, academic searching due to opacity of coverage and scope and lack of descriptor searching.
Useful for locating book information. Full-text books available for some out of copyright materials. Contents and extracts available for others.
The UK branch of the well-known Internet bookshop also has a searchable database of books in print.
Blackwell's online bookshop - chemistry
View chemistry books from the online bookshop
View books from CRC Press. Choose "Chemistry" from the drop down list in "List selected subject"
View chemistry products
View books published by the Royal Society of Chemistry
Bookshops and Publishers (a list from HERO)
Some newly published titles in Chemistry with information on how to recommend purchase for the library.
Also look for recently published bibliographies which cover your subject area. These may be listed in guidebooks or you could search for the keyword 'bibliography' in various library catalogues
Inter-Library Loans
If the book you wish to see is not held in Heriot-Watt University
Library you can apply for it through the
Inter-Library Loans
Service.
Journals & periodicals
Journals are often the first place where new research findings are published and are therefore an extremely important source of information. The Library has a collection of scientific print journals and periodicals on Level 4 and a range of online electronic journals.
Our print and electronic journals can be found using the Library catalogue. You can also search for our journal titles from our journals page. All the printed chemistry journals are located on Level 4 of the library and are shelved from classmark 540. They are organised alphabetically by journal title within each class number.
Heriot Watt Library journal services
Access to content from all ACS journals 1879 onwards.
Access to Annual Review of Physical Chemistry offering authoritative summaries of the most significant primary research in the field, filtered and synthesised by leading scientists.
Applied Science & Technology Full Text
Multidisciplinary database including chemistry. Good source of trade
and industrial publications, journals of professional and technical
societies, and specialized subject periodicals, as well as special
issues such as buyers' guides, directories, and conference proceedings.
Multidisciplinary database including access to 175 full-text chemistry journals. Majority in physical and theoretical chemistry followed by those for general, organic, analytical and inorganic chemistry.
Royal Society of Chemistry Online
Journal Service
Access to all RSC journals including archive dating from
1841
ScienceDirect
Multidisciplinary scientific database including
over 100 full-text chemistry journals
Multidisciplinary database including journals in chemistry and materials
science.
Wiley
InterScience
Multidisciplinary database including chemistry journals.
Other sources of electronic journals
Free full-text journals in Chemistry
List of peer-reviewed journals with at least one year free full-text content
A new service publishing peer-reviewed open access research in chemistry from BioMed Central, the leading biomedical open access publisher. Currently offers chemistry-related articles published in BioMed Central journals and Chemistry specific journals from Chemistry Central.
Directory of Open Access Journals
(DOAJ)
An electronic gateway to open access journal literature. Launched in 2006, Open J-Gate is the contribution of Informatics (India) Ltd to promote OAI. Open J-Gate provides seamless access to millions of journal articles available online. Open J-Gate is also a database of journal literature, indexed from 3000+ open access journals, with links to full text at Publisher sites.
Print journals in other libraries
If the journal or periodical you are looking for is not held in Heriot-Watt University Library it may be possible for you to consult it elsewhere in Edinburgh for example at the National Library of Scotland, or in Edinburgh University Library. You can check the periodical holdings of these libraries and the libraries of most other Scottish academic and research institutions by searching the SALSER database.
It is possible to arrange reference or borrowing rights to many other libraries - including other university libraries in Edinburgh and the National Library of Scotland. See Access to other libraries for Heriot Watt Staff and Students for more information.
You may also apply for through the Inter-Library Loans Service for copy articles from periodicals not held at Heriot-Watt University Library.
Finding periodicals published in a particular subject area
To find out information on periodicals published in your subject area you can consult the reference works shown below:
Willings Press Guide
Quick Reference : 011.05 WIL
Serials in the British Library
Inter-Library Loans Dept
Ulrich's International Periodical Directory
Inter-Library Loans Dept
British Library Document Supply Centre: Current Serials Received
This is a searchable index of over 64,000 periodicals
currently received by the British Library Document Supply Centre. The
database can be used to find periodicals by title or keyword, and it is
also useful as a guide to which titles would be available through
Inter-Library Loans.
Holds one of the world's most comprehensive and up-to-date lists of internet-linked chemistry-related journals. View alphabetically, by subject or by publisher
Jake (Jointly Administered Knowledge Environment) can be used to find where a journal is indexed.
PubList.com is a comprehensive directory of information about more than 150,000 publications and more than 8000 newspapers around the world.
Journal abbreviations
Periodical title abbreviations by abbreviation. Vol 1 14th ed. 2003
Quick Reference: 011.05PER
ISI Journals Abbreviation Index
A registry of web resources that list or provide access to the full title of journal abbreviations.
Journal abbreviation links (University of Bath)
Articles
Many thousands of articles are published each week in periodicals or journals. How do you go about finding articles on the topic which interests you? The most efficient way to do this is to search one or more of the databases to which the Library subscribes or which are freely available.
Databases index millions of articles, usually covering specific subject areas, and can be searched in a variety of ways. Searches retrieve bibliographic records, often with abstracts and sometimes with links to the full-text of the article. If there is no link to the full-text within the database check whether the library has the article in print or electronic form using the catalogue or A-Z list of electronic journals. If the full article is not available, either electronically or in print, it is usually possible to obtain articles through the Inter-Library Loan Service.
Review articles: Review articles are excellent sources for getting on overview of a topic as they pull together and synthesize selected journal articles. Most databases will allow you to limit your search to review articles. Review articles may be published as special articles in primary journals but some journals specialise in reviews e.g. Chemical Reviews and Chemical Society Reviews.
Databases A-Z
Quicklinks: Web of Knowledge / CSA Illumina / ScienceDirect / RSC / ACS
Access to content from all ACS journals 1879 onwards.
(also known as Analytical WebBase) is the premier current awareness and information retrieval service for analytical scientists. Search the worldwide analytical literature conveniently and rapidly, covering the period from 1980 until the latest update.
Applied Science & Technology Full Text
Multidisciplinary database including chemistry. Good source of trade
and industrial publications, journals of professional and technical
societies, and specialized subject periodicals, as well as special
issues such as buyers' guides, directories, and conference proceedings.
Biotechnology and Bioengineering Abstract
Accessed via: CSA Illumina
A new service publishing peer-reviewed open access research in chemistry from BioMed Central, the leading biomedical open access publisher. Currently offers chemistry-related articles published in BioMed Central journals and Chemistry specific journals from Chemistry Central.
Ceramic Abstracts / World Ceramic Abstracts
Manufacture, processing, applications, and properties
of ceramics
Accessed via:
CSA Illumina
Compendex (via Engineering Village 2)
Copper Data Center Database
Copper, copper alloys and copper
technology
Accessed via:
CSA Illumina
Corrosion Abstracts
Corrosion science and engineering
Accessed via:
CSA Illumina
Multidisciplinary databases useful for areas
such as toxicology, materials science, biotechnology,
bioengineering and chemistry in a biomedical context. Can
also be searched using CAS registry numbers - enter CAS registry
number in search box
eg 79-10-7.
Another useful feature of CSA Illumina is that it
enables you to format the output from the database/s (ie the
records you find) by selecting from a range of citation styles.
Engineered Materials Abstracts
Subject Coverage: Polymers, ceramics, and composites
Accessed via:
CSA Illumina
Multidisciplinary database including access to 175 full-text chemistry journals. Majority in physical and theoretical chemistry followed by those for general, organic, analytical and inorganic chemistry.
METADEX
Subject Coverage: Metals and alloys
Accessed via:
CSA Illumina
Free database covering medicine and biomedicine. Pubmed allows searching by CAS registry number in the "EC/RN Number" field. Enter the CAS registry number eg 1-5-20-4 followed by [rn] or [EC/RN Number]
Royal Society of Chemistry Online
Journal Service
Access to all RSC journals including archive dating from 1841
Science Citation Index Expanded
Subject Coverage: Science
Accessed via:
Web of Knowledge
ScienceDirect
Multidisciplinary
scientific database including over 100 full-text chemistry journals
Solid State and Superconductivity Abstracts
Subject Coverage: Solid state and superconductivity technology
Accessed via:
CSA Illumina
Toxicology Abstracts
Subject Coverage: Pharmaceuticals, chemicals, contaminants
Accessed via:
CSA Illumina
TOXLINE
Subject Coverage: Toxicology
Accessed via:
CSA Illumina
Web Of Knowledge
Multidisciplinary database. Web of Science integrate full-text links for
Science Direct electronic journals to which the library subscribes.
A key feature of the databases is the cited references which can be
displayed for records and searched using author, source and publication
year. Web of Knowledge also allows cross searching its databases
with public domain collections of full-text scholarly and professional
publications such as PubMed.
Web of Science Proceedings (Science & Technology)
Subject Coverage: Science, technology
Accessed via:
Web of Knowledge
ZETOC
Zetoc is a database based on the
British Library's holdings. Coverage is from 1993 to date and the
database is updated daily. You can search the database for individual
articles by author and title keyword, although there is no subject
indexing. Zetoc Alert allows you to create and store a list of journals
of your choice. Zetoc will then email you the contents pages of new
issues of these journals, as soon as they are added to the database.
Other sources
Chemical Abstracts
Published by the American Chemical Society, this is the largest
abstracting service in the world besides being the most important in the
field of chemistry. It covers periodical articles, review articles,
patents, reports, conference proceedings and theses on an international
basis. At least one third of Chemical Abstracts deals with Biochemistry
and the field of Applied Chemistry is also comprehensively covered. A
sophisticated range of indexes is available including subject, patent
number, author, chemical substance and molecular formula.
Level 4 (ABS)CHEMICAL ABSTRACTS 1907 - 2001 (print version) .
Site giving more information on the Chemical Abstracts Service
Provides access to millions of chemical structures integrated with a multitude of other online services. ChemSpider is the richest single source of structure-based chemistry information.
Enables searching across a broad range of scholarly literature (journal articles, theses, preprints) from multiple sources. Results ranked by relevance and citedness. Some full-text availability. Effective and efficient for for natural language searching and looking for known items. Less precise for systematic, academic searching due to opacity of coverage and scope and lack of descriptor searching.
Prototype for a global science gateway connecting you to national and international scientific databases
Factual information and numeric data
If you are looking for a piece of factual information e.g. physical properties of a chemical substance, there are many reference sources within the Library which can help you find the data you require. Some of these are listed below.
| Inorganic and organometallic compounds | Other Physical Property and Related Data | |
| Handbooks and tables | Powder diffraction data | |
| Spectral data | Chemical Terminology | |
| Organic compounds | ||
| Polymers |
Encyclopaedias and dictionaries
Encyclopaedias and dictionaries can be used to find physical property details and bibliographic details of key references. Encyclopaedias can also provide useful cross-referencing to related information.
Kirk-Othmer.
Encyclopedia of chemical technology. Vol 1-24 3rd ed. (1978 -
1984)
This encyclopaedia is the single most important source for chemical technology covering physical properties, manufacturing, processes, uses, economic, health and environmental issues.
Quick Reference: 660 ENC
SI Chemical data (1998)
Quick Reference: 540 AYL
Oxford Dictionary of Chemistry 4th ed (2000)
Quick Reference: 540 DAI
McKetta. Encyclopedia of chemical processing and design (1976-)
Quick Reference: 660.284 ENC
McGraw Hill Encyclopaedia of Science & Technology (1982)
Quick Reference: 503 MCG
Meyers. Encyclopaedia of physical science and technology. Vols 1-6 (1987)
Quick Reference: 503 MEY
Perkampus. Encyclopedia of spectroscopy (1995)
Quick Reference: 535.84 PER
Search, browse and view records from free version via ChemNetBase (nb: not all information is available in the free version). Database covers Dictionary of Analytical Reagents, Dictionary of Carbohydrates, Dictionary of Inorganic and Organometallic Compounds, Dictionary of Natural Products, Dictionary of Organic Compounds and Dictionary of Drugs.
Handbooks and tables
These summarise the most commonly used chemical data.
CRC Handbook of chemistry and physics (current ed)
Definitive reference source. Gives basic chemical substance information especially spectral data. Start here for physical data with minimal description.
Quick Reference: 530 HAN
Lange's Handbook of Chemistry 14th ed. (1992)
Quick Reference: 540 LAN
Merck Index.
(current ed)
Exceptionally useful. Contains descriptive
information on more than 10,000 chemical substances including
key physical properties. Also contains a comprehensive name
index and Chemical Abstracts Registry Number index. Brief
entries on most organic chemicals especially used in chemical,
biochemical and pharmaceutical industries. Excellent source for
physical and physiological properties, common names and CAS RN
(has section listing numbers)
Quick Reference: 540 MER
Antleman. Encyclopedia of electrode potentials (1982)
One of the most comprehensive listings of electrode potentials
available
Quick Reference: 541.3 ANT
SI Chemical data (1998)
Quick Reference: 540 AYL
CRC Handbook of Solubility Parameters and Other Cohesion Factors (1983)
Quick Reference: 541.34 BAR
Emsley.
The elements (1989)
Summarises key facts about the elements in a
systematic and easy to use format.
540 EMS
Gordon. The chemist's companion. A handbook of practical data,
techniques and references (1973)
Although this is an old book, it
contains data not available in other handbooks e.g. bond lengths and
chemical shifts.
542 GOR
CRC Handbook of Tables for Organic Compound Identification
547 HAN
Kaye. Tables of physical and chemical constants. 16th ed. (1995)
Quick Reference: 530 KAY
Lyman.
Handbook of chemical property estimation methods. (1990)
Quick Reference: 547 LYM
Mellan.
Industrial solvents handbook (1977)
Basic data on the physical
properties of most solvents and on the solubility of a variety of
materials in these solvents.
Quick Reference: 541.34 MEL
IUPAC. Quantities, units and symbols in physical chemistry
Quick Reference: 540 MIL
Perry. Chemical engineers handbook. 7th ed. 1998
Quick Reference: 660.28 PER
K-Essentials
A free reference package from Knovel.
Smithsonian Physical Tables (9th Rev. Ed.)
Science and engineering coverage
Accessed via:
K-Essentials
Essential Practices for Managing Chemical Reactivity Hazards
Covers chemistry and chemical engineering
Accessed via:
K-Essentials
NIST Chemistry Web Book
Free website of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology (NIST) Chemistry WebBook provides chemical and
physical property data for a variety of compounds - including extensive
thermodynamic data. The data are from collections maintained by the NIST
Standard Reference Data Program and outside contributors.
Good data quality with thermochemical, thermophysical and ion
energetics properties available. Predominantly organic.
Web Elements (Scholar edition)
Chemical nomenclature
International
Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry
The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) formulates
the rules and guidelines for the naming of chemical substances. Full
text of the IUPAC recommendations on organic and biochemical
nomenclature, symbols and terminology etc. Also includes recommendations
by the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
Chemical Abstracts
The chemical nomenclature used by CHEMICAL ABSTRACTS is very similar, but not identical, to the IUPAC system.
For more detailed information on how to select CA Index Names, see:-
CHEMICAL ABSTRACTS INDEX GUIDE - APPENDIX IV to the latest edition
Level 4
Other sources of information on nomenclature include: -
Banks. Naming organic compounds (1976)
547 BAN
IUPAC. Nomenclature of organic chemistry. (1958)
547 INT
IUPAC.
Nomenclature of inorganic chemistry: definitive rules (1971)
546 INT
IUPAC.
How to name an organic substance (1977)
546 IUP
IUPAC.
Compendium of analytical nomenclature: definitive rules (1978)
543 IUP
IUPAC. Nomenclature of organic chemistry: definitive rules for sections a,b,c,d,e,f and h (1979)
547 INT
Leigh. Principles of chemical nomenclature: a guide to IUPAC recommendations (1998)
540 LEI
Mills. Quantities, units and symbols in physical chemistry (1988)
Quick Reference: 540 MIL
IUPAC. Nomenclature of inorganic chemistry II :
recommendations 2000 (2001)
(This is an adjunct to the
1990 volume listed above.)
Quick Reference:546 NOM
ChemIDPlus
Website
provides access to structure and nomenclature information for the
identification of chemical substances cited in NLM databases.
Contains over 379,000 chemical records. Includes access to Hazardous
Substance database.
Organic compounds
Collins. Dictionary of carbohydrates (1998)
Quick Reference: 547 COL
Comprehensive Organic Chemistry Vol 1-6 (1979)
Covers all
aspects of organic chemistry with emphasis on synthesis, properties and
reactions
Quick Reference: 547 COM
Lide. Synonyms and structures of organic compounds. Vol. 1-3 (1995)
Quick Reference: 547 LID
Paquette. Encyclopedia of reagents for organic synthesis.
Vols. 1-8 (1995)
Covers over 3,000 reagents
arranged alphabetically using IUPAC nomenclature. Also contains
a formula index in Vol. 8.
Quick Reference: 547.2 PAQ
Houben-Weyl. Methoden der Organischen Chemie (1979).
Gives
selected methods for the preparation of many organic compounds - in
German
547 HOU
Rodd.
Rodd's chemistry of carbon compounds (1964-1986)
An outstanding work of broad scope, which is an excellent starting
point for organic chemistry - only certain volumes and parts are held at
HWUL.
547 ROD
Dictionary
of Organic Compounds 5th ed. Vol. 1-7 (1982-1992)
Brief
data on a range of organic structures with references
Chemistry Dept. Room 112
Organic
Reactions
Collection on monographs devoted to single reactions in
organic chemistry. Each volume has a subject index and there is a
cumulative author and chapter index to the whole series.
Periodicals 547
Organic Syntheses Collective Vol 1-7 (1941-1990)
Annual
compilation of checked laboratory methods for preparing organic
compounds. There is a collective volume every ten years that revises and
updates the annual volumes where necessary
Periodicals 547 (currently kept in Chemistry Dept. Room 119)
Patai. The
chemistry of functional groups (1964-1983)
HWUL currently holds 14 vols of this monograph series
Varied locations
Polymers
Encyclopedia of Polymer Science & Technology Vol 1-16 (1964-72)
Properties, methods of synthesis and commercial production processes are
reviewed.
Quick Reference: 547.8403 ENC
Polymer
Handbook. 4th ed. (1999)
Compiles fundamental, validated property
data of polymeric material and explores the developments in the field
since 1989
547.84 BRA
Daniels.
Polymers: structure and properties
(1989)
A basic reference work which covers polymer structure and
bonding as well as data on the properties of commercially important
polymers.
547.84 DAN
Encyclopedia of Polymer Science & Engineering Vol. 1-17 (1985-)
Galashiels: 668.9 ENC
Inorganic and organometallic compounds
The classic reference work is GMELIN'S Handbuch der anorganischen chemie which runs to hundreds of volumes. Unfortunately HWUL does not have any holdings of this work, but it is possible to consult individual volumes via Inter-Library Loan . The nearest holdings in Scotland are at Glasgow University.
Other inorganic reference works held at HWUL include:
Bailar. Comprehensive inorganic chemistry. Vol. 1-5 (1973)
Quick Reference: 546 COM
Abel.
Comprehensive organometallic chemistry II : a review of the literature
1982-1994. Vol. 1-14. (1995)
Surveys the whole of organometallic
chemistry, for both the main groups and the transition elements
Quick Reference: 547.05 COM.
Encyclopedia of Inorganic Chemistry. Vol. 1-8 (1994)
Quick Reference: 546 ENC
CRC
Handbook of chemistry and physics (current ed)
A lot of the most
basic physical data for inorganic compounds can be found here.
Quick Reference: 530 HAN
Mellor.
Comprehensive treatise on inorganic and theoretical chemistry. Vol.
1-16, 1922-37; supplement 2 pt 1, 1956.
Has the advantage of
being completely in English and Volume 16 contains a general index, but
has not been updated.
546 MEL
Powder diffraction data
Powder Diffraction File (PDF)
Diffraction data (crystaline materials)
Format: CD-ROM
Location: Riccarton Campus.
Please ask at the Library Service Desk if you wish
to use this service.
The Powder Diffraction File contains powder diffraction data for
organic, organometallic, metal, alloy, mineral and other inorganic
compounds. It is available as a CD-Rom which can be requested from the
Service Desk, together with the accompanying manuals.
Spectral data
Books on how to interpret spectral data can be found between classmarks 541-543 on Level 3. The following sources contain the data itself:
From Rochester Institute of Technology. Use this site to find reference materials containing spectral data the use Heriot Watt Library catalogue. to see if we have the item.
CRC Handbook of chemistry and physics (current ed)
Definitive reference source. Gives basic chemical substance information especially spectral data. Start here for physical data with minimal description.
Quick Reference: 530 HAN
Lindon. Encyclopedia of spectrometry and spectroscopy. Vol. 1-3 . (2000)
Quick Reference: 543.0858 LIN
Philips. Organic electronic spectral data. Vol. 12 (1976)
Quick Reference: 543 ORG
Robinson. Handbook of spectroscopy. Vol. 1-3. (1974-81)
535.84 ROB
Spectral Database for Organic
Compounds
Free
website giving data on the
following spectra EI-MS / FT-IR / 1H NMR / 13C NMR
/ laser Raman / ESR
Connect
SpecSurf
Website free to academics in UK
HE, registration required
Infrared Spectra
Aldrich Library of Infrared Spectra (1981)
Quick Reference: 543.0858 POU
Aldrich Libary of FT-IR Spectra Vol. 1-2 (1986)
543.0858 ALD
Sadtler Handbook of Infrared Spectra (1978)
Quick Reference: 542 SAD
NMR Spectra
Aldrich Library of NMR Spectra Vol. 1-2 (1983)
Quick Reference: 543.087 ALD
Sadtler. Handbook of proton NMR spectra . (1978)
Quick Reference: 543 SAD
A web database for organic structures and their nuclear magnetic resonance (nmr) spectra. Allows searching by spectra, structures and other properties
UV-VIS Spectra
Sadtler handbook of ultraviolet spectra (1979)
Quick Reference: 543SAD
Hazardous chemicals
SAFETY DATA SHEETS
Royal Society of Chemistry -
Chemical safety data sheets.
Volume 1: Solvents
Volume 2: Main group metals and their
compounds
Volume 3: Corrosives and irritants
Volume 4a-4b:
Toxic chemicals
Quick Reference: 540 ROY
Materials Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) provide information on the procedures to follow for handling or working with particular substances. They include information such as physical data, health effects, toxicity, first aid, reactivity, storage, disposal, protective equipment, and spill/leak procedures. Sources online include:-
A searchable complication of over 250,000 MSDS from Cornell University
A searchable compilation of over 180,000 MSDS from Vermont Safety Information Resources Inc
Where to find MSDS on the Internet
Web guide
Web guide
Links to supplier websites with some links to full text Materials Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).
Useful for finding / searching on basic property data, structures (via basic structure drawing tool), formulae, chemical names, synonyms and CAS registry numbers. Property explorer feature also allows calculation of drug-relevant properties based on structure drawing. Links to supplier websites and to some MSDS for more detailed property data.
Merck Index. (current ed)
Gives
practical information on physical properties and toxicity but
not acceptable substitute for MSDSs.
Contains descriptive information on more than 10,000 chemical
substances including key physical properties. Also contains a
comprehensive name index and Chemical Abstracts Registry Number
index. Brief entries on most organic chemicals especially used
in chemical, biochemical and pharmaceutical industries.
Excellent source for physical and physiological properties,
common names and CAS RN (has section listing numbers)
Quick Reference: 540 MER
Bretherick's Handbook of Reactive Chemical Hazards Vol.1-2.
5th ed. (1995)
Highly regarded and essential compendium
Quick Reference: 541 BRE
Sax's Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials Vol. 1-3. 10th ed. (1999)
660.2804 SAX
Lewis.
Hazardous chemicals desk reference. 4th
ed. (1997)
A concise work based on the information in
Sax's Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials.
Quick Reference: 540 HAZ
Patty's Industrial Hygiene & Toxicology 4th ed. Vol. 1, Pt. A-B. General principles. (1991)
613.6 PAT
Hazardous Laboratory Chemicals Disposal Guide (1991)
660.2804
Kirk-Othmer. Encyclopedia of chemical technology. Vol 1-24 3rd ed. (1978 - 1984)
This encyclopedia is the single most important source for chemical technology covering physical properties, manufacturing, processes, uses, economic, health and environmental issues.
Quick Reference: 660 ENC
Essential practice for managing chemical reactivity hazards
via K-Essentials
The Chemical Database
(Dept. Chemistry University of Akron)
Covers property data and hazards of more than 25,000
hazardous chemicals. Searches can be done on substance name,
formula, CAS registry number (also DOT, RTECS, EINECS, Beilstein or
Merck). Gives information on synonyms, formula, description of substance
and its uses. Details are given on safe storage, handling and
transportation as well as health hazards. Property data includes
mass, melting point, density and water solubility.
Hazardous Substances Data Bank
Produced by the National Library of Medicine gives comprehensive, peer-reviewed toxicology data for about 5,000 chemicals. Includes environmental and health aspects with all property values critically reviewed and documented with the full literature reference
International
Chemical Safety Cards
Two page summaries of basic hazard information on common chemicals.
NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health source of general industrial hygiene information for chemicals found in the work environment.
ChemIDPlus
Website
provides access to structure and nomenclature information for the
identification of chemical substances cited in NLM databases.
Contains over 379,000 chemical records. Includes access to Hazardous
Substance database.
Thermophysical and thermochemical data
JANAF Thermochemical Tables Pt. 1-2 . 3rd ed. (1986)
Quick Reference: 541.36 JAN
Chaney.Thermophysical properties research literature retrieval guide. 1900-1980. Vol. 1-7. (1982)
Quick Reference: 660.296 THE
Smith. Thermodynamic data for pure compounds. (1986)
660.296 SMI
Touloukian. Thermophysical properties of matter. Vol. 1-13 and index. (1970-1979)
Quick Reference: 536 THE
Wagman. The NBS tables of chemical thermodynamic properties: selected values for inorganic and C1 and C2 substances in SI units
Quick Reference: 541.369 WAG
From the University of Texas, Austin, Thermodex contains records for selected printed and web-based compilations of thermochemical and thermophysical data for chemical compounds and other substances. Search by property and compound to find out what handbooks contain the relevant data. Then see if the item is available in Heriot Watt Library using our catalogue.
NIST Chemistry Web Book
Free website of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology (NIST) Chemistry WebBook provides chemical and
physical property data for a variety of compounds - including extensive
thermodynamic data. The data are from collections maintained by the NIST
Standard Reference Data Program and outside contributors.
Good data quality with thermochemical, thermophysical and ion
energetics properties available. Predominantly organic.
DETHERM
This commercial online database contains
thermophysical data important for the design of processes within
the chemical industry. It is available through STN and is a
product of FIZ Chemie.
Other physical property and related data
In the first instance check the Handbooks or encylopedias & dictionaries section for physical property data. If you cannot find what you are looking for try these more detailed sources.
Compiled by Duke University Library. Browse by property to find relevant information sources then use Heriot Watt Library catalogue to see if we have the item available.
Finding physical & chemical properties
Compiled by the Science and Engineering library at Vanderbilt University. Browse by property to find relevant information sources then use Heriot Watt Library catalogue to see if we have the item available.
Landolt-Bornstein (6th ed.)
Compilation of all verified physical data in the field of chemistry as well as physics, astronomy, geophysics and technology. Language-German. The library also has some print volumes from the new series or 7th edition in the field of physics and Group 3:Condensed Matter. Volume 42 sub-volume A3/2003 January 2003 2-482 is available electronically via SpringerLink
Information page on contents of Landolt-Bornstein from Indiana University.
Quick Reference: 530.0212LAN
Kirk-Othmer. Encyclopedia of chemical technology. Vol 1-24 3rd ed. (1978 - 1984)
This encyclopedia is the single most important source for chemical technology covering physical properties, manufacturing, processes, uses, economic, health and environmental issues
Quick Reference: 660 ENC.
Merck Index (current ed)
Exceptionally useful. Contains
descriptive information on more than 10,000 chemical substances
including key physical properties. Also contains a comprehensive name
index and Chemical Abstracts Registry Number index. Brief entries on
most organic chemicals especially used in chemical, biochemical and
pharmaceutical industries. Excellent source for physical and
physiological properties, common names and CAS RN (has section listing
numbers)
Quick Reference: 540 MER
Journal of chemical and engineering data (1971-2001)
Original source of reliable physical property data for pure compounds and mixtures. Either scan the indexes or search for articles using Web of Knowledge or printed Chemical Abstracts on Level 4 of library.
Periodicals 660
Journals concerned with preparation chemistry are good sources of BASIC property data.
Comprehensive Organic Chemistry Vol 1-6 (1979)
Covers all
aspects of organic chemistry with emphasis on synthesis, properties and
reactions
Quick Reference: 547 COM
National Research Council.
International critical tables of numerical data , physics, chemistry and
technology. Vol 1-7 and Index. 1926 - 1930.
One of the most
extensive compilations of physical property data , now out of print. It
is still valid but largely superseded by newer works. It's use is
limited but can still be a good starting point.
Quick Reference: 530.0212 NAT
Chemical Abstracts
Some abstracts in CA from 1971 may contain detailed numeric data
Level 4
The Chemical Database (Dept. Chemistry University of Akron)
Covers property data and hazards of more than 25,000 hazardous chemicals. Searches can be done on substance name, formula, CAS registry number (also DOT, RTECS, EINECS, Beilstein or Merck). Gives information on synonyms, formula, description of substance and its uses. Details are given on safe storage, handling and transportation as well as health hazards. Property data includes mass, melting point, density and water solubility
Chemicals:
properties, hazards and commercial information
Free website
ChemExper
Useful
for finding / searching on basic property data, structures (via basic
structure drawing tool), formulae, chemical names, synonyms and CAS
registry numbers. Property explorer feature also allows
calculation of drug-relevant properties based on structure drawing.
Links to supplier websites and to some MSDS for more detailed property
data.
ChemFinder.com
The
largest free property site on the web. Offers a selection of
free and subscription databases. ChemFinder is a free
resource useful for finding/searching on chemical name, CAS
registry number, formulae, synonyms, molecular weight, etc.
Structures can also be drawn and searched using a free plug-in
ChemDraw ActiveX. Download the plug-in from
http://scistore.cambridgesoft.com/plugins.cfm?pid=4011&os=win.
Search, browse and view records from free version via ChemnetBase. Database covers Dictionary of Analytical Reagents, Dictionary of Carbohydrates, Dictionary of Inorganic and Organometallic Compounds, Dictionary of Natural Products, Dictionary of Organic Compounds and Dictionary of Drugs
Compiled by Duke University Library. Browse by property to find relevant information sources then use Heriot Watt Library catalogue to see if we have the item available.
MatWeb
Website
giving materials properties - goof for engineering materials
such as polymers, metals, alloys, ceramics, glass, fibers,
composites, seminconductors and aerogels.
Free website of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Chemistry WebBook provides chemical and physical property data for a variety of compounds - including extensive thermodynamic data. The data are from collections maintained by the NIST Standard Reference Data Program and outside contributors. Good data quality with thermochemical, thermophysical and ion energetics properties available. Predominantly organic.
Search only the CAS registry number. Some values estimated
rather then experimental.
DIPPR (Design Institute for Physical Property
Data)
Data Compilation of Pure Compound Properties. This is a commercial
database available through STN International which evaluates 39
properties of 1700 compounds. Compiled by the American Institute of
Chemical Engineers.
Estimation Program Interface Suite
Free software developed by Syracuse Research Institute for the estimation of the following data: log octanol-water partition coefficient KOWWINTM; gas-phase reaction rate AOPWINTM; Henry’s Law constant (air/water partition coefficient) HENRYWINTM; Melting point, boiling point, and vapor pressure of organic chemicals MPBPWINTM; aerobic biodegradability of organic chemicals BIOWINTM; soil adsorption coefficient PCKOCWINTM; octanol-water partition coefficient WSKOWWINTM; Acid- and base-catalyzed hydrolysis constants HYDROWINTM; BioConcentration Factor BCFWINTM; rate of volatilization of a chemical from rivers and lakes WVOLWINTM; prediction of removal of a chemical in a Sewage Treatment Plant STPWINTM; partitioning of chemicals between air, soil, sediment, and water under steady state conditions LEV3EPITM
Laboratory chemicals
Armarego. Purification of laboratory chemicals.
4th ed. (1996)
Provides purification procedures of commercially
available chemicals and biochemicals from published literature data.
Quick Reference: 543 ARM
Website of the Sigma-Aldrich Company. Provides access to the full range of specialist catalogues of chemicals.
Chemical terminology
IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology
Informally known as the Gold Book
Enables you to find out what, for example, acronyms such as MNDO, UMNDO , CIS stand for.
Reactions
Name Reactions
Reactions may be named
after those who developed or discovered the reaction thus giving an easy
access point to finding information.
March’s
advanced organic
chemistry : reactions, mechanisms, and structure
Michael B. Smith and Jerry March
5th ed. Wiley, 2001. 547 MAR
Find name reactions in the detailed subject index.
Name reactions and reagents in organic synthesis
Bradford P. Mundy and Michael G. Ellerd
Wiley, 1988. 547.2 MUN
This book includes name reactions and reagents used in name reactions. Structure diagrams and references are given for each name reaction.
More Heriot Watt University Library books on name reactions
Chemical companies & suppliers
Most chemical companies and suppliers give basic data on the substances they produce or supply - particularly for basic or large volume chemicals. Some corporate sites may require registration to view technical information - but this is usually free. Sources for company and supplier information include:-
ChemExper
Useful
for finding / searching on basic property data, structures (via basic
structure drawing tool), formulae, chemical names, synonyms and CAS
registry numbers. Property explorer feature also allows
calculation of drug-relevant properties based on structure drawing.
Links to supplier websites and to some MSDS for more detailed property
data.
Links to supplier websites with some links to full text Materials Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).
Free structure drawing tools
ChemExper
Useful
for finding / searching on basic property data, structures (via basic
structure drawing tool), formulae, chemical names, synonyms and CAS
registry numbers. Property explorer feature also allows
calculation of drug-relevant properties based on structure drawing.
Links to supplier websites and to some MSDS for more detailed property
data.
ChemFinder.com
Largest
free property web site. Offers a selection of free and subscription
databases. ChemFinder is a free resource useful for
finding/searching on chemical name, CAS registry number, formulae,
synonyms, molecular weight, etc. Structures can also be drawn and
searched using a free plug-in ChemDraw ActiveX.
Download the free plug-in.
ChemSketch
Freeware
version of full-featured commercial software.
FAQs for
freeware and
tutorials
Organic Syntheses is a free database of synthesis procedures. It facilitates location of desired procedures through structural queries, text queries, combinations, and by browsing the Organic Syntheses Reaction Guide. Search by Structure and/or Molecular Formula, CAS Number, Author's Name, Annual Volume Number and more. Structure searching is via free plug-in ChemDraw ActiveX. Download the free plug-in.
Current awareness & research in progress
Keeping up to date with newly published journal articles can be very time-consuming, however tools do exist to make this process easier.
Analytical Abstracts (also known as Analytical WebBase) is the premier current awareness and information retrieval service for analytical scientists. Search the worldwide analytical literature conveniently and rapidly, covering the period from 1980 until the latest update.
It is also possible to set up alerts with services to notify you of the latest -
-
journal tables of contents
-
search results
-
citation alerts (ie when your favourite papers have been newly cited by others).
These services can be set up within databases as -
-
email alerts (eg tables of contents and search results sent to your email address when they become available). Most of the library's databases and electronic journal services offer this service
and/or
ticTOCs journal table of contents service
Find thousands of scholarly journal Table of Contents (TOCs) from multi-publishers, view TOCs, export TOC Feeds to feedreaders, save TOCs for future current awareness.
Recent research and research in progress
Search conference proceedings to find out what has been presented at recent meetings.
Other possible sources of recent research and research in progress are recently produced disserations and theses from which authors may be publishing papers.
The following sources may also provide information on current research activities:-
Scottish Research: a good starting point to finding out what is going on in Scottish research
National Research Register : UK based health-related research (NHS)
Research Councils UK and/or other funding bodies.
Intermediate Technology Institute - Life Sciences
Intermediary Technology Institutes (ITIs) have been created to provide a platform for greater economic success across the major knowledge-based sectors in Scotland - including Life Sciences. The ITI is designed to be a centre or “hub” for identifying, commissioning, managing and diffusing pre-competitive research.
Scottish Funding Council - Information for Universities
Enables you to find out what, for example, acronyms such as MNDO, UMNDO , CIS stand for.
Details research and uses of each of the elements include properties, safety data and applications.
The Chemical Databases
(Dept. Chemistry University of Akron)
Covers
property data and hazards of more than 25,000 hazardous chemicals.
Searches can be done on substance name, formula, CAS registry number
(also DOT, RTECS, EINECS, Beilstein or Merck). Gives information on
synonyms, formula, description of substance and its uses. Details are
given on safe storage, handling and transportation as well as health
hazards. Property data includes mass, melting point, density and
water solubility.
Chemical Database Service at Daresbury
From April 1st - free to academics in UK
HE, registration required.
The Cambridge Structural Database
The only comprehensive collection of small-molecule organic and organometallic crystal structures
The Inorganic Crystal Structure Database
Inorganic structures - the companion file to the Cambridge organic file
The CrystMet database system
Crystal structure data for metals and alloys
The NIST Crystal Data Identification File
cCystal class and unit cell data for crystal structures
DETHERM, thermophysical properties database
One of the world's largest thermophysical property databases of pure compounds and compound mixtures
The SpecInfo spectroscopic system
aAmulti-technique spectroscopic database system, covering NMR, MS and IR spectroscopy
The ACD/Labs I-Lab spectroscopic and physical properties prediction system
Chemicals: properties,
hazards and commercial information
A new service publishing peer-reviewed open
access research in chemistry from BioMed Central, the leading
biomedical open access publisher. Currently offers
chemistry-related articles published in
BioMed Central
journals and Chemistry specific journals from Chemistry Central.
ChemBank is intended to guide chemists
synthesizing novel compounds or libraries, to assist biologists
searching for small molecules that perturb specific biological
pathways, and to catalyze the process by which drug hunters
discover new and effective medicines.
ChemExper
Useful
for finding / searching on basic property data, structures (via
basic structure drawing tool), formulae, chemical names,
synonyms and CAS registry numbers. Property explorer
feature also allows calculation of drug-relevant properties
based on structure drawing. Links to supplier websites and
to some MSDS for more detailed property data.
Chemfinder.com
Largest free property web site.
Opens a site offering a selection of free and subscription
databases. ChemFinder is a free resource useful for
finding/searching on chemical name, CAS registry number,
formulae, synonyms, molecular weight, etc. Structures can
also be drawn and searched using a free plug-in ChemDraw
ActiveX. Download the plug-in from
http://scistore.cambridgesoft.com/plugins.cfm?pid=4011&os=win.
ChemIDPlus
Provides
access to structure and nomenclature information for the identification
of chemical substances cited in NLM databases. Contains over
379,000 chemical records. Includes access to the Hazardous Substance
database.
Good source for manufacturer and supplier sites which can be searched for property data on products - particularly for basic data on common or bulk quantity substances.
From Indiana University. Contains some 2500 records of books and other reference material in Chemistry. It is useful for finding reference material by subject. Each record contains full information about the printed work, database, software or other item. Use it to then see if we have the resource in Heriot Watt Library - using our catalogue or databases list.
ChemWeb.com Quick Abstract Search
Clearing House for Chemical Information Sources
A guide to the many sources of reference materials available for those with questions related to chemistry from Indiana University.
Datalog
database
Good for finding CAS registry numbers using formula or name.
Search over 6 million unique structures for technical
and supplier information
Estimation Program Interface Suite
Free software developed by Syracuse Research Institute for the estimation of the following data: log octanol-water partition coefficient KOWWINTM; gas-phase reaction rate AOPWINTM; Henry’s Law constant (air/water partition coefficient) HENRYWINTM; Melting point, boiling point, and vapor pressure of organic chemicals MPBPWINTM; aerobic biodegradability of organic chemicals BIOWINTM; soil adsorption coefficient PCKOCWINTM; octanol-water partition coefficient WSKOWWINTM; Acid- and base-catalyzed hydrolysis constants HYDROWINTM; BioConcentration Factor BCFWINTM; rate of volatilization of a chemical from rivers and lakes WVOLWINTM; prediction of removal of a chemical in a Sewage Treatment Plant STPWINTM; partitioning of chemicals between air, soil, sediment, and water under steady state conditions LEV3EPITM
Finding physical & chemical properties
Compiled by the Science and Engineering library at Vanderbilt University. Browse by property to find relevant information sources then use Heriot Watt Library catalogue to see if we have the item available.
From Rochester Institute
of Technology. Use this site to find reference
materials containing spectral data the use Heriot
Watt Library catalogue. to see if we have the item.
Google Scholar
Enables searching across a broad range of scholarly literature (journal articles, theses, preprints) from multiple sources. Results ranked by relevance and citedness. Some full-text availability. Effective and efficient for for natural language searching and looking for known items. Less precise for systematic, academic searching due to opacity of coverage and scope and lack of descriptor searching.
Hazardous Substances Data Bank
Produced by the National Library of Medicine gives comprehensive, peer-reviewed toxicology data for about 5,000 chemicals. Includes environmental and health aspects with all property values critically reviewed and documented with the full literature reference
International Chemical Safety Cards
Two page summaries of basic hazard information on common chemicals.
Intute: Science, Engineering & Technology (Chemistry)
IUPAC Compendium of
Chemical Terminology
Informally known as the Gold Book
MatWeb
Website
giving materials properties - goof for engineering materials
such as polymers, metals, alloys, ceramics, glass, fibers,
composites, seminconductors and aerogels.
A searchable complication of over 250,000 MSDS from Cornell University
Links to supplier websites with some links to full text Materials Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).
Web guide
NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health source of general industrial hygiene information for chemicals found in the work environment.
NIST Chemistry Web Book
Free website of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology (NIST) Chemistry WebBook provides
chemical and physical property data for a variety of compounds -
including extensive thermodynamic data. The data are from
collections maintained by the NIST Standard Reference Data
Program and outside contributors.
Good data quality with thermochemical, thermophysical and ion
energetics properties available. Predominantly organic.
A web database for organic structures and their nuclear magnetic resonance (nmr) spectra. Allows searching by spectra, structures and other properties
System for information on grey
literature in Europe. Gives b
Gives A-Z list of named reactions with mechanisms and details of recent literature.