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. 14th ed. Structure, uses, preparation (synthesis!), review and other sources listed. Available as eBook
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 or e-book version
- 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
- 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
- Google Scholar . Use the Advanced Search feature to search for articles and patents related to your molecule (example: formic acid synthesis) Be sure to limit "Where my words occur" to "in the title of the article" for most on-target results. Look to the right to see if the article is available in PDF or HTML text format. If not, make notes for Interlibrary Loan! http://scholar.google.com/advanced_scholar_search
- 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
- CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics
Print version on Reserve and in Reference QD 65 .H3
- Dean's Handbook of Organic Chemistry . Reference QD 251.3 .G65 2004 Also online in Knovel Library
- Dictionary of Environmentally Important Chemicals Reference TD 196 .C45 A97 1999
- Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary. Reference QD5 .C5 2002 Also online in Knovel Library
- 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 1999 Also online in Knovel Library
Drug Information :
- Analytical Profiles of Drug Substances. v. 1-11, 16, 17, 18, 19, 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. 14th ed. Reference RS 51 .M4 and Reserve
- Modell's Drugs in Current Use and New Drugs Reference RS 79 .D7
- Molecules and Medicine General RM 300 .C67 2007
- 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 Also online in Knovel Library
- Encyclopedia of Food Sciences and Nutrition. 10 vols. Reference TX 349 .E46 2003
- Foods and Food Production Encyclopedia . Reference TX 349 .F58
- 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
Chemical Hazards:
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 Chemistry 2552. 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:
- Organic Syntheses . Macroscale syntheses for numerous compounds. However, most mentions of a molecule are as reaction participants. Over 80 volumes and 10 collective volumes may be searched via the internet at: http://www.orgsyn.org
You may need to register (free) at http://chemfinder.cambridgesoft.com/ and to load a ChemDraw plugin
- Organic Syntheses, Reaction Guide: Incorporating Volumes 1-7 and annual volumes 65-68. Reference QD 262 .O722 Reactions 1991.
- Total Synthesis of Natural Products . Vols 1-4, 7-10 General QD 262 .T655
- Contemporary Drug Synthesis. Course reserves.
- Burger's Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Discovery . 5th ed. 5 v. Reference RS 403 .B8 .
- Organic Chemistry of Drug Synthesis 6 vols. Reference RS 403 .L36
- Synthetic Pages. http://www.syntheticpages.org/.
- Webreactions. ADVANCED SOURCE! Searchable only by drawing reactants and product desired. http://webreactions.net/
- Google Advanced Search for Patents. Search for your molecule name in Title. Can also search by patent number. Program will search patents from 1776 to recent months. Patent image available without loading special software.
http://www.google.com/advanced_patent_search
- United States Patent Search. Full Text since 1976 searchable by word; full-image 1790-1975 searchable by patent number only: get patent numbers from Merck Index , Dictionary of Organic Compounds , or Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. Must load ActiveX TIFF-viewer software to view patent images.
http://www.uspto.gov/patft/index.html
- FreePatentsOnline and SumoBrain Related websites that let you search and get free abstract, text or PDF results for patents from the U.S., Europe, Japan, and Patent Cooperation treaty (PCT) countries. Choose advanced search for the best results.
5: REACTIONS
Many of the best sources for reactions are also on reserve for this class. See list under Reserves for Chemistry 2552 . 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
- Use Articles and Databases: Science: Chemistry Although the list of possible databases to use is extensive, some sources produce more results than others. The best databases for economic and manufacturing information are Business Source Complete and Science Direct (limit to Subscribed Journals) to find articles.
- For a list of Organic Chemistry links that I recommend, go to the Organic Chemistry Research Guide. Particularly useful is Organic Chemistry Sources Worldwide for its wide-ranging links.
- Search engines , such as Google, or Ask.com match key words via software programs called "robots" or "spiders". See links from Library Home Page. Most programs only require the entry of all terms wanted--it only returns pages that include all of your search terms. For a better search, use quotation marks ("....") around phrases: "benzoic acid" and add terms to refine the search: +nmr
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 list from the University of British Columbia or find many more options from All That JAS ( Journal Abbreviation Sources: choose Chemistry) 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. Do not walk in -- please make an appointment at biegler@iit.edu or telephone 630-682-6050. 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
