Chemistry is a central science which can be highly interdisciplinary. Check the comprehensive list of databases to suit your specific need.
Subject Portal » Chemistry » Research Guides »
Need Help?
- Terri Freedman, Head, Collier Science Library (BMC)
- Dora Wong, Science Librarian (HC)
- Meg Spencer, Science Librarian (SC)
Related Subjects:
Databases A-Z:
Other:
Chemistry: General Resources
Bibliographic Databases:
SciFinder Scholar
This is the search interface that provides access to CAplus (Chemical Abstracts), CASREACT, and the Registry database from Chemical Abstracts Service. It includes journal articles, book chapters, patents, conference proceedings, technical reports, a substance database and dissertations covered in Chemical Abstracts as well as articles currently being indexed, book reviews and biographical information. Covers chemistry, biotechnology, toxicology, environmental science, and medicine, from 1907 to the present. Information can be retrieved by text or structure. Once a substance is identified, links are provided to fulltext where available. Starting with literature from 1998 onwards, cited references are listed as well.
SciFinder Scholar is a client software accessed from the library's computers.
SciFinder Scholar is a client software accessed from the library's computers.
Chemical Substances & Physical Properties:
American Elements
Link to an interactive periodic chart of the elements. The provider is a commercial company, but the chart itself offers access to 'atomic structure, ionization energy, abudance on Earth, conductivity and thermal properties'.
ChemFinder
Requires a free registration after doing 3 searches. Browser must be cookie-enabled to continue.
This free database since 1995 includes:
This free database since 1995 includes:
- Chemical Structures
2D structures & 3D models. - Physical Properties
MP, BP, CAS RN, & more. - Hyperlinks
Links to other websites with information about your compound.
ChemIDPlus
ChemIDplus is a free, web-based search system that provides access to structure and nomenclature authority files used for the identification of chemical substances cited in National Library of Medicine (NLM) databases, including the TOXNET® system. ChemIDplus also provides structure searching and direct links to many biomedical resources at NLM and on the Internet for chemicals of interest. The database contains over 380,000 chemical records, of which over 269,000 include chemical structures, and is searchable by Name, Synonym, CAS Registry Number, Molecular Formula, Classification Code, Locator Code, Structure, and/or Biological/Chemical properties.
There are two versions of this database. The ChemIDplus Lite version is available for simplified Name and RN searching without the need for plugins or applets. ChemIDplus Advanced allows various search capabilities beyond the Lite version including chemical structure and biological/chemical property searching.
Knovel Periodic Table of the Elements
An interactive table of the chemical elements arranged to illustrate patterns of recurring chemical and physical properties. Knovel's version is enhanced with extra information from Los Alamos National Laboratory, including history and uses of the element.
NIST Property Search Interface to Properties
Provides easy access to many (currently over 80) of the NIST scientific and technical databases. These databases cover a broad range of substances and properties from many different scientific disciplines. The Gateway includes links to free online NIST data systems as well as to information on NIST PC databases available for purchase.
Thermodex
The coolest tool around for finding hard-to-remember compilations of thermochemical data in any library. It indexes over 100 srouces of thermodynamic information accessible through a user-friendly search interface. Once a list of titles are located, you can click on "find in a library" link to see if your home library has it.
PubChem
This resource provides information on the chemical structures and biological activities of small organic molecules. Includes substance information, compound structures, and bioactivity data in three primary databases, PCSubstance, PCCompound, and PCBioAssay, respectively. Provides a search engine, compound neighboring, sub/superstructure, similarity structure, bioactivity data, and other searching features.
WebElements - Scholar edtion
"The WebElements scholar edition aims to be a high quality source of information on the WWW about the periodic table for students. You will find many pictures showing element structures and periodic properties." Elements are linked to reactions, electronic, nuclear and thermodynamic properties.
Citation Guides:
Online ACS Style Guide from the Univeristy of Wisconsin-Madison Chemistry Library
Excellent online guide with links to related sources. This lists the reference formats for most of the sources you will encounter.
The ACS style guide
Spectroscopic Data:
NIST Chemistry Web
The NIST Chemistry WebBook contains Thermochemical (enthalpies, vapor pressure etc) and thermophysical (viscocity, density, conductivity etc) data, IR, Mass Spectra, UV/Vis, electronic and vibrational spectra for thousands of compounds.
Can be searched on name, chemical formula, CAS registry number, molecular weight, chemical structure, or selected ion energetics and spectral properties.
Spectral Database for Organic Compounds (SDBS)
From the introduction to the site: "SDBS is an integrated spectral database system for organic compounds, which includes 6 different types of spectra under a directory of the compounds. The six spectra are as follows, an electron impact Mass spectrum (EI-MS), a Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FT-IR), a 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrum, a 13C NMR spectrum, a laser Raman spectrum, and an electron spin resonance (ESR) spectrum." Contains spectra for 32,000 compounds.
Web Portals:
Links for Chemists
This is the Chemistry section of the WWW Virtual Library and is one of the most comprehensive resources since 1995.
Rolf Claessen's Chemistry Index
Especially useful portal for students of chemistry and science students in general. Coverage is broad and international in scope.
Institutions:
American Chemical Society Website
ACS is the largest scientific society, founded in 1876 in New York City. This website hosts a range of services, news and information for members and enthusiasts.
Royal Society of Chemistry Website
"The RSC is the largest organisation in Europe for advancing the chemical sciences. Supported by a worldwide network of members and an international publishing business, our activities span education, conferences, science policy and the promotion of chemistry to the public."
WWW Chemistry Sites at Academic Institutions
Maintained by Max Kopelevich at UCLA. This is a directory of chemistry departments and institutions worldwide.