Chemistry 2552: Organic Chemistry
Pet Molecule
Marge Peters · (630) 942-2337 · petersm@cod.edu
Choosing | Properties/Uses/Hazards | History | Synthesis | Reactions | Other Resources | Interlibrary Loan | Other Libraries | Citing Sources
1: SELECTING YOUR MOLECULE: CHOOSE CAREFULLY!
An experimental drug you read about recently might be difficult to research because data about the compound is just being published. Established compounds with important medical or manufacturing uses are among the chemicals the Library is most likely to have information on.
If you find virtually no information about your pet molecule in these sources, you know that you will have to dig for data and probably visit a library with more chemistry sources than the Library has.
Scan for information on a potential molecule in these sources. Make note of the CAS Registry Number when you find it and any patent numbers listed:
- Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology (Kirk-Othmer) Editions: 3rd, 4th, and 5th. Different content in each edition. Review-length information. Reference TP 9 .E685
- Merck Index. 13th ed. Structure, uses, preparation (synthesis!), review and other sources listed.
Reference and Circulation Desk Reserves.RS 51 .M4
- Dictionary of Organic Compounds. 6th ed. 9 vols.Physical data, bibliography listing sources for synthesis, derivatives, and full reviews of the molecule.Reference QD 246 .D5 1996
- Chemical Compounds. 3 vols. Basic introduction to 180 of the most important organic and inorganic molecules. Historical background and useful bibliographies. Reference
QD471 .C44 2006
- Contemporary Drug Synthesis. For those researching a pharmaceutical, a bit of history and synthesis, with references.On reserve for class
- Dictionary of Scientific Biography . 18 v. Use index in v. 16 to find mentions of molecule in biographies of chemists. Reference
Q141 .D5
- 100 Most Important Chemical Compounds: a Reference Guide. Reference TP 9 .M94 2007 or e-book version
- Chemfinder.com Physical data and links to health, MSDS data, and more. http://chemfinder.cambridgesoft.com/
- Knovel Interactive Library
This database is a cross-searchable collection of electronic books covering many subjects in technology, engineering, safety/environment, science, chemistry and physics and much more. Includes Sax's Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials, Patty's Toxicology, and over 800 other titles.
- Chemical Industry.com: Chemical Information. Links to websites with physical, safety, research literature and patent data on the web. Some of the research literature is free, but most require subscription. Make notes for Interlibrary Loan! http://www.chemindustry.com/apps/chemicals
- Medline Lists research articles from chemical, medical and environmental journals. Most specific search is Advanced search: use CAS registry number and change format from Keyword to Chemical Substance.
- PubChem Links to many websites with information on the molecule. Best search is CAS RN http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
2: SOURCES FOR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES, USES AND HAZARDS
Databases and Websites:
General Reference Resources
- Aldrich Handbook of Fine Chemicals and Laboratory Equipment. Reference TP 202 .A38 Annual
- Aldrich Library of FT-IR Spectra . 3 v. Reference QD 96 .I5 P66 1989
- Aldrich Library of 13C and 1H FT NMR Spectra . 3 v. Reference
QC462.85 .A44 1993
- Chemical Composition of Everyday Products Reference QD 75.22.T64 2005
- Dean's Handbook of Organic Chemistry Reference QD 251.3 .G65 2004T64 2005
- Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary 13th ed. Reference QD 5 .C5 2002
- CRC Handbook of Tables for Organic Compound Identification . Reference QD 291 .C73
- Dictionary of Organic Compounds . 6th ed. 9 vols. Reference QD 251 .D49 1996
- Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology . (Kirk-Othmer) 25 vols.: 3rd, 4th and 5th editions
Reference TP 9 .E685
- Handbook of Physical Properties of Organic Chemicals Reference QD 257.7 .H374
- Lange's Handbook of Chemistry . Reference TP 151 .H25
Drug Information :
- Analytical Profiles of Drug Substances. v. 1-11, 17, 20. Reference
RS189 .A582
- Analytical Profiles of Drug Substances and Excipients. v.22-29. Reference RS189 .A582
- Analytical Profiles of Drug Substances, Excipients and Related Methodology. v.30-.
Reference RS189 .A582
- Burger's Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Discovery . 5th ed. 5 v. Reference RS 403 .B8
- Contemporary Drug Synthesis. On reserve for class
- Merck Index . 13th ed. Reference RS 51 .M4 and Reserve
- Modell's Drugs in Current Use and New Drugs Reference RS 79 .D7
- Organic Chemistry of Drug Synthesis 6 vols. Reference RS 403 .L36
- Physicians' Desk Reference: PDR . Reference RS 75 .P5 (also available as part of Micromedex)
- Physicians' Desk Reference for Nonprescription Drugs and Dietary Supplements.
Reference RM 671 .A1 P48
- United States Pharmacopeia . Reference RS 141.2 .P5
Foods and Cosmetics :
- Consumers Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients . Reference TP 983 .A55 W57 1999
- Encyclopedia of Food Science and Technology . 4 vols. Reference TP 368.2 .E62
- Encyclopedia of Food Sciences and Nutrition. 10 vols. Reference TX 349 .E46 2003
- Foods and Food Production Encyclopedia . Reference TX 349 .F58
- Foods & Nutrition Encyclopedia . 2nd ed. 2 vols. Reference TX 349 .F575 1993
- Vanity, Vitality, and Virility: the Science Behind the Products You Love to Buy
General QD 75.22 .E47 2004
Plastics and Polymers :
- Concise Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Engineering . Reference TP 1087 .C66
- Handbook of Plastic Materials and Technology . Reference TP 1130 .H35
- Man-Made Textile Encyclopedia . Reference TS 1548.5 .P7
- Modern Plastics Encyclopedia . (Overview and Raw Materials Sections) Reference TP 1110 .M6
Chemical Hazards:
- Knovel Interactive Library
- Hazardous Chemicals Desk Reference . Reference T 55.3 .H3 L49 .
- NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards . Reference T 55.3 .H3 N56
Online: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg
- Sax's Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials . 4 vols. Reference T 55.3 .H3 S3
3: SOURCES FOR HISTORY OF MOLECULE
Many of the sources listed under Physical Properties will include the history of the compound. You may also want to check your compound in the indexes of biographical sources such as these:
- Dictionary of Scientific Biography . 18 vols. Reference Q 141 .D5 (use index in v. 16)
- The Biographical Dictionary of Scientists: Chemists . Reference QD 21 .B48
- Great Chemists . Reference QD 21 .F35
- Napoleon's Buttons: How 17 Molecules Changed History. QD 37 .L34 2003
- Chemistry in Action: The Molecules of Everyday Life. QD 33 .M79 1995
- Chemistry Connections: the Chemical Basis of Everyday Phenomena. QD 37 .K34 2000
Also, be sure to check the indexes of books on the history of chemistry in General QD 11.
The Library rarely has entire books on a specific organic compound, but it is worthwhile to check the COD Library Catalog for your subject. There are books on aspirin, caffeine, ethanol (alcoholic drink) and Vitamin C, for instance.
If the Library does not have a book on your topic, think of BROADER TERMS that include it: Carbohydrates, Vitamins, Pesticides, etc. We may have titles on these subjects. Also, check WorldCat, under Library Catalogs. This resource listing over 60 million items owned by libraries worldwide may provide titles published about your molecule.
4: SYNTHESIS
Many of the most useful sources for synthesis of a molecule are on reserve for this class. See list under Reserves for Organic Chemistry. Some titles to try first are Vogel's Textbook of Practical Organic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry by Morrison and Boyd, and any book with the word "microscale" in the title. A number of the titles listed under Physical Properties will give synthesis information as well. Organic chemistry textbooks in the General collection numbers QD 251.2 and QD 261 may show the synthesis and reactions of your compound. The Library owns many more guides to microscale experiments. Look under the keyword MICROSCALE in the Library catalog. Avoid examples that list the preparation as "Extraction" or "Distillation"
Reference and Internet Sources:
5: REACTIONS
Many of the best sources for reactions are also on reserve for this class. See list under Reserves for Organic Chemistry. Some titles to try first are Vogel's Textbook of Practical Organic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry by Morrison and Boyd, and any book with the word "microscale" in the title. A number of the titles listed under Physical Properties will give reaction information as well. Organic chemistry textbooks in the General collection numbers QD 251.2 and QD 261 may show the reactions of your compound. The Library owns many guides to microscale experiments. Look under the keyword MICROSCALE in the Library catalog.
Reference and Internet Sources:
6: DATABASE/INTERNET USE FOR OTHER INFORMATION
7: INTERLIBRARY LOAN
- Use Interlibrary Loan to get books and articles from other libraries. For books, be sure to get author, title and date whenever possible. For journal articles, bibliographic citations in the chemical literature tend to give abbreviated titles. Use the lists from the University of British Columbia and American Chemical Society (partial list of CAS titles only) or find many more options from All That JAS (Journal Abbreviation Sources) to help you enter the full journal title when requesting an article. Chemical citations often do not give the title of the article or full range of pages, so you will need to fill in a topic: use parentheses: (About name of molecule) and starting page number with a + after it.
- Interlibrary loan of books can take 10 business days and articles may take 5 business days, so give yourself time to get these materials.
8: OTHER LIBRARIES
You may want to visit other libraries with more chemistry sources than the Library has. Some area libraries with good chemistry sections are:
- IIT Rice Campus
Louis W. Biegler Library
201 East Loop Road
Wheaton, Illinois
American Chemical Society, Beilstein Abstracts, Science Direct-Chemistry and many more databases related to chemistry and chemical engineering. Walk-ins welcome to use databases on campus. Hours are Monday-Thursday, 2 pm to 9:30 pm and Saturday, 9 am to 2 pm.
- Wheaton College
Buswell Memorial Library
510 N. Irving Avenue
Wheaton, IL
Owns SciFinder Scholar and some collections of Science Direct to lead to chemical literature. Has good collection of basic chemistry periodicals.
- Benedictine University
Kindlon Hall of Learning: Library on second floor and above
5700 College Road
Lisle, IL
In-library full-text access to American Chemical Society Publications (but not Chem Abstracts). Good collection of basic chemistry periodicals.
- Midwestern University
555 31st Street
Downers Grove, IL
Part of Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. Library supports Pharmacy School. Hours for visitor use are Monday-Friday 9 am -5 pm.
- University of Illinois at Chicago
Science Library
3500 Science and Engineering Building (845 W. Taylor Street: corner of Taylor and Halsted)
Chicago, IL
Hours Monday-Thursday 8 am - 9 pm , Friday 8 am - 7 pm (Reference help on weekdays only to 5 pm). Saturday 1-5 pm (student assistant only). No Sunday hours.
LIBRARY ETIQUETTE:
Don't go in packs -- choose one friend if you want a companion. Most of these libraries are being used by upper level and graduate students, faculty and professional researchers. A QUIET atmosphere is expected.
Prepare before you go. Have a goal in mind: Chemical Abstracts, a specific book or periodical title�
Most librarians on duty are willing to help you, but cannot give a lengthy orientation to chemical literature and the layout of the chemistry library. When you come in, look for such helps as flyers describing the organization of the room and signs to important resources.
9: CITING SOURCES: ACS, APA, MLA format
