Yale University
Sterling Chemistry Library

Chemistry Subject Guide


Chemical Nomenclature

Chemical substances can appear under a variety of names in the sources you will be using. Listed below are strategies for chemical name searching, followed by selected sources in which they can be applied.

Common Names Indexes

You will often start with a popular or commercial name of a substance. When using these indexes, be prepared to try other synonyms to locate a particular substance.
  • Hawley. Condensed Chemical Dictionary. Entries for chemicals include properties, derivations, uses and hazards. 12th ed. Ref QD5 C6 1993 KSL
  • The Merck Index. Arranged by Common name; index for Molecular Formula [MF], Chemical Abstracts [CA] name. References to: MF, CA registry number [RN], Primary literature. Ref RS356 M47 CHEM and Ref RS356 M4 KSL and Ref RS356 M47 EASL and Ref 17 RS356 M5 MED
  • Aldrich Catalog of Fine Chemicals. Arranged by common name; MF index. References to: MF, RN, Beilstein, Merck, and spectral data. Ref Carrel CHEM and Ref QD39.2 A53 KSL and Ref 16 QD254 A366 MED
  • Dictionary of Organic Compounds (DOC), with supplements. Previously known as Heilbron's, DOC indices by synonym, MF, RN. References to: CA name, MF, RN, Primary literature. CD ROM CHEM and QD251 +D53 1982 KSL
  • Dictionary of Inorganic Compounds. Physical and spectral data. Entries include synonyms, RN, MF, structures. Common name, structural type, element indices. Ref QD148 +D53X 1992 CHEM and CD ROM KSL
  • Dictionary of Organometallic Compounds. Physical and spectral data. Entries include synonyms, RN, MF, structures. Molecular formula index. Ref QD411 +D53 1995 CHEM and CD ROM KSL
  • Chemical Abstracts (CA) Index Guide. Provides cross references to correct CA substance name. Index 1 C35 CHEM and QD1 C44 KSL and S Ref 2 ZQD1 C42 MED
  • Howard. Dictionary of Chemical Names and Synonyms. Ref TP9 +H65X 1992 CHEM, KSL and Ref 17 TP19 +H65 1992 MED

Systematic Nomenclature

These systems establish standard names for substances, usually beginning with the constituent element of a compound.

  • CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. Substances by IUPAC Name [Intn'tl Union of Pure and Applied Chemists]; separate indices for organic and inorganic compounds. Cross-References: MF, Beilstein. Ref QD65 H35 CHEM and Ref QD65 H3 KSL and Ref QD65 H35 EASL and Ref 18 QD65 H3 MED
  • International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry. Commission on the Nomenclature of Organic Chemistry. A Guide to IUPAC Nomenclature of Organic Compounds: Recommendations 1993. Ref QD291 I57X 1993 CHEM

Molecular Formula Indices (MF)

If you already have a molecular formula, it will provide a cross Reference to systematic or preferred names in many indices. Remember to convert your MF to Hill order.
  • Aldrich Catalog of Fine Chemicals . Arranged by common name; MF index. Ref Carrel CHEM and Ref QD39.2 A53 KSL and Ref 16 QD254 A366 MED
  • Dictionary of Organic Compounds (DOC), with supplements. Index to MF. References to: CA name. CD ROM CHEM and Ref QD251 +D53 1982 KSL
  • Dictionary of Inorganic Compounds. In empirical formula order. Entries include synonyms. Common name index. Ref QD148 +D53X 1992 CHEM and CD ROM KSL
  • Dictionary of Organometallic Compounds. Entries include synonyms. Molecular formula index. Ref QD411 +D53 1995 CHEM and CD ROM KSL
  • The Merck Index. Arranged by Common name; index for Molecular Formula [MF], Chemical Abstracts [CA] name. RS356 M47 CHEM and RS356 M4 KSL
  • Chemical Abstracts (CA) Formula Index. Provides references to correct CA substance name. Index 1 C35 CHEM and Abstracts QD1 C44 KSL

Physical & Chemical Properties - return to top

The following sources can be used to locate physical constants, reference tables, spectral data, and pharmaceutical applications.

Physical Constants

Most of the sources mentioned above under chemical name searching contain physical constants (molecular weight, boiling and melting points, color, density, and solubility). Note that CRC and Lange have separate indices for organic and inorganic substances.
  • Aldrich Catalog of Fine Chemicals. Ref Carrel CHEM and Ref QD39.2 A53 KSL and Ref 16 QD254 A366 MED
  • CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. QD65 H35 CHEM and QD65 H3 KSL and QD65 H35 EAS
  • Lange's Handbook of Chemistry. Ref TP151 H35 CHEM, KSL, EAS
  • Hawley, Condensed Chemical Dictionary. Ref QD5 C6 1993 KSL
  • Dictionary of Organic Compounds. CD ROM CHEM and Ref QD251 +D53 1982 KSL
  • Dictionary of Inorganic Compounds. Ref QD148 +D53X 1992 CHEM and CD ROM KSL
  • Dictionary of Organometallic Compounds. Ref QD411 +D53 1995 CHEM and CD ROM KSL
  • The Merck Index. Ref RS356 M47 CHEM and Ref RS356 M4 KSL and Ref RS356 M47 EASL and Ref 17 RS356 M5 MED
  • Beilstein's Handbuch der Organischen Chemie. Far Index 151 B413 CHEM and (through 2nd Supplement) QD251 B44 1918 KSL
  • Gmelin Handbuch der Anorganischen Chemie. Far Index QD151 G553 CHEM
  • Crossfire: Beilstein and Gmelin The CrossFire search system, which requires proprietary software, is available from designated terminals at the Sterling Chemistry Library, the Kline Science Library, the Engineering Library, and select chemistry faculty member terminals.
  • Journal of Physical and Chemical Reference Data. Q199 +J68 KSL

Reference Tables and Variable Data (chemical calculations)

Some data, such as reaction rates and solubilities, are not constant, but depend upon variable factors; to determine rates for a particular substance, you may need to apply standard calculations, which allow you to compute results. To find appropriate formulae, check the table of contents or the index under the name of the calculation in one of the following:
  • CRC Handbook of Physics and Chemistry.Ref QD65 H35 CHEM and Ref QD65 H3 KSL and Ref QD65 H35 EASL and Ref 18 QD65 H3 MED
  • Lange's Handbook of Chemistry. Ref TP151 H35 CHEM, KSL, EASL
  • Landolt Bornstein. QC61 +L342 1961 KSL

Spectral Data

Every chemical substance emits a unique spectrum when it absorbs energy. This "fingerprint" can be used for identification of compounds and for determining their structure.

  • Handbook of Data on Organic Compounds [HODOC]. CRC's HODOC provides physical and spectral data on over 26,000 compounds, including references to MR, IR, and UV spectra. Entries include synonyms, RN and Beilstein numbes, MF, structures. Common name index. Ref QD257.7 C73 1994 KSL or Properties of Organic Compounds. CD ROM CHEM
  • [CRC] Atlas of Spectral Data and Physical Constants for Organic Compounds. Lists infrared, ultraviolet, NMR, Raman, Coblentz and mass spectral data. Also a source for physical constants and chemical structures. Search by common name, MF, or RN. QD291 +G73 (LC) CHEM and QD291 +C18 1973 KSL
  • Aldrich Library of 13C and 1H FT NMR Spectra. Lists spectral data on over 12,000 organic compounds. Ref Spectra QC462.85 +A44X 1993 CHEM
  • Aldrich Library of FT-IR Spectra. Lists spectral data on over 12,000 organic compounds. Ref Spectra QD96 I5 +P66X 1985 CHEM
  • Eight Peak Index of Mass Spectra. Lists data values on 65,600 organic and inorganic compounds. Ref Spectra QC454 M3 +M37 1991 CHEM
  • Sadtler Infrared Spectra. Ref Spectra CHEM
  • Sadtler Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectra. Ref Spectra 570 +S23 CHEM
  • Sadtler Ultraviolet Spectra. Ref Spectra CHEM
Sources of Spectral Information for Chemistry at Yale University

Syntheses of Substances - return to top

Information on the synthesis of a substance can be searched in the following ways:
  • Dictionary of Organic Compounds. Provides primary literature references. CD ROM CHEM and QD251 +D53 1982 KSL.
  • Dictionary of Organometallic Compounds. Provides primary literature references. 2nd ed. Ref QD411 +D53 1995 (LC) CHEM and CD ROM KSL
  • Dictionary of Inorganic Compunds. Provides primary literature references. QD148 +D58 1992 (LC) CHEM and CD ROM KSL
  • Methoden der organischen Chemie (Houben-Weyl). Ref 151 H85 CHEM
  • CA Subject/Substance Indexes. First find CA name in the Substance Index (prior to 1972, use CA Subject Index); the unmodified entry immediately following the RN will contain the report on the synthesis and characteristics. Also, look for the modifier "prepn of" in the listings for a compound. (Shelved with Chemical Abstracts at CHEM and KSL)
  • Inorganic Reactions & Methods. Ref QD501 I623 1986 (LC) CHEM
  • Organic Reactions Ref QD241 073 (LC) CHEM and QD251 073 KSL and Ref 10 QD251 07 MED
  • Inorganic Syntheses. Ref 101 In7 CHEM and QD151 A1 I56 KSL
  • Organic Syntheses. Ref QD262 073 (LC) CHEM and QD262 0698 KSL

Treatises

Treatises contain encyclopedic data on the discovery and characteristics of many compounds. CRC, Lange, and Aldrich provide references to Beilstein entries for most substances. Note that the older text of both Beilstein and Gmelin is in German, and that their indexing formats are somewhat complex.
  • Beilsteins Handbuch der Organischen Chemie. Index 151.B413 CHEM
  • Gmelin's Handbook for Inorganic Chemistry. Index QD151 G553 CHEM
  • Crossfire: Beilstein and Gmelin The CrossFire search system, which requires proprietary software, is available from designated terminals at the Sterling Chemistry Library, the Kline Science Library, the Engineering Library, and select chemistry faculty member terminals.
  • Rodd's Chemistry of carbon compounds. Ref QD251 R625 CHEM and QD251 R625 KSL and Ref 19 QD251 R63 MED

Finding Periodical Articles - return to top

Basic Literature Searches: review articles and basic papers can be found by consulting the Academic Index (on ORBIS), General Science Index, or the Applied Science & Technology Index. The latter two are available at the Kline Science Library on CD-ROMs.
  • Chemical Abstracts. Index 1 C35 CHEM (cancelled as of 1998), Abstracts QD1C44 KSL, and S Ref 2 ZQD1 C42 MED The primary resource for the chemical periodical literature is Chemical Abstracts. The various indices listed below will direct you to the appropriate abstract.
  • The Author Index locates documents by a particular person
  • The Substance Index covers synthesis, characteristics, and applications of chemical substances.
  • The Subject Index covers general topics and classes of compounds.
  • The Molecular Formula Index lists chemical formula and indicates correct chemical names. As in the Substance Index, synthesis, characteristics, and applications of substances are noted with the exception of especially common substances which have references to the Substance Index.
  • The Patent Index refers from patent numbers to the corresponding abstract and also provides cross references to equivalent patent numbers.
  • Chemical Abstracts Online: The SciFinder Scholar search system is available after 5pm for Yale users at no cost. In addition, for substructure searching, KSL, CHEM, and ENGN provide access to CA in database format via STN, an online commercial search service (at cost). There is an academic discount for CA users after 5:00 pm. For use, consult reference staff.

Alerting Services

Used to find current papers not yet listed in the sources above.
  • Current Contents. Lists tables of contents of over 760 journals. Searchable by author or subject. Weekly. KSL Abstracts. Available online to all Yale affiliates.
  • Chemical Titles. Over 700 journals by author and keyword. Biweekly. CHEM (current issues only)
  • Chemical Highlights. Extracted from the organic chemistry literature. CHEM (current issues only)

Background Information and Chemical Concepts - return to top

The following sources provide information on chemical concepts, methods and applications.

Encyclopedias/Dictionaries

Reflect standard learning on topics treated and include bibliographies.
  • Van Nostrand Reinhold Encyclopedia of Chemistry. QD5 +E58 1984 KSL
  • Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. TP9 E685X EASL, KSL, CHEM
  • The International Encyclopedia of Physical Chemistry and Chemical Physics. QD453 I57 KSL
  • Encyclopedia of Inorganic Chemistry. Ref QD148 +E53X 1994 (LC) CHEM
  • Encyclopedia of Reagents for Organic Synthesis. Ref QD77 E53X 1995 CHEM

Guides to the Chemical Literature

These guides provide further information to the above-mentioned sources, suggest strategies for chemical research, and suggest ways of keeping current with the literature.
  • Bottle. Information Sources in Chemistry Ref Z5521 B67 1979 (LC) KSL
  • Maizell. How to Find Chemical Information QD8.5 M34 (LC) CHEM and Ref QD8.5 M34 1979 KSL and Ref QD8.5 M34 ENGN
  • Mellon. Chemical Publications Z5521 M52 1965 KSL
  • Wiggins. Chemical Information Sources Ref QD8.5 W54 1991 KSL, ENGN

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Updated: February 17, 1999
Maintained by Jennifer Kostelnik