Libraries HomeOrganic Chemistry 339 UO Libraries
CH 339 Organic Analysis -- Library Research
Professor Dolby's rule of thumb:
Two weeks in the laboratory will save you an hour in the library every time.
General Tips
- Look in more than one source -- they vary in their coverage and no single source covers all compounds.
- Skim the table of contents and the introduction/preface for reference books. The preface will explain the scope and organization of a book. Often explanations of abbreviations and symbols are in the introductory pages.
- Use the indexes at the end of reference books to find the pages that have data for your substance. Many of the organic chemistry handbooks and spectral sets have formula and name indexes. For name indexes try most common name (look up a few synonyms, since name coverage varies).
Library Tips
- If a book is not on the shelf... (reference and reserve books are in-library use only)
- Check the shelf above and below where it should be
- Check the nearby tables
- Check the large table next to the computers in the reference area, where Chem339 students tend to congregate
- Check the photocopy room
- Ask your classmates
- Check the re-shelving area, to the left of the circulation desk
- Is the book on reserve? Ask for it by call number at the Circulation desk.
- Following up on journal references (The Science Library subscribes to over 3000 journals!)
- You will need the exact title of a journal to search for it in the library catalog. Look up abbreviated journal titles in CASSI or Periodical Title Abbreviations (on top of wooden stands near reference desk).
- Do a title search in the UO Library online catalog to see if we own a journal. Take note of the "holdings" information, which indicates which volumes we have, if an issue is missing or at the bindery, and if issues are available online.
- Science Library journals are shelved alphabetically by full title. Bound journals can be checked out for 3 days by undergraduates. (Unbound journals do not circulate.)
- For some journals, older volumes are in storage. See a librarian or staff person to have these volumes retrieved for you.
- Ask for help from a librarian or reference assistant.
- Science Library reference assistance is available M-Th from 9am-6pm; Fri 9am-5pm.
I. General Resources
NOTE: Items with ** indicate that you can look up substances in these reference sources by values (mp, bp, mw, etc.)
Composite Index for CRC Handbooks (3 vols.)
Science Reference: QD65 .C74 1991
Use this to find out which of the many CRC handbooks covers a substance. Look up substances alphabetically. The entries have a code to indicate which handbook contains the substance. The codes are in the front of each book. Bonus: previous students have indicated in the 1st volume which handbooks the library holds.
Dean's handbook of organic chemistry
Science Reference QD251.3 .G65 2004
Includes physical, thermodynamic properties; spectroscopy.
Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary
Science Reference QD5 .C5 2002
A standard A-to-Z dictionary with many trademarked and non-standard names for compounds.
Names, Synonyms, and Structures of Organic Compounds (3 vols.)
Science Reference: QD291 .N36 1995
Arranged by CAS Registry Number. Includes pictures of structures and molecular formulas. Has a molecular formula index and a name/synonym index.
**Vogel's Textbook of Practical Organic Chemistry
Science Reference: QD261 .V63 1978 and 1989 (2 copies)
Extensively discusses methods. Has a section on physical constants for common organic compounds. This section is organized by increasing values for boiling point and melting point.
II. Selected Resources for Physical Data
Aldrich Catalog; Sigma Catalog; Fluka Catalog
Science Reference: Located on table in reference area
Internet access: http://www.sigma-aldrich.com
These company catalogs have brief data and literature references and are arranged alphabetically by compound name.
Beilstein's Handbook of Organic Chemistry (Handbuch der Organischen Chemie)
(Science Abstracts & Indexes: QD251 .B4) Located in Group Study Room 2.
Covers organic chemistry from 1771-1979. Presents selected data on organic compounds: natural occurrence and isolation, preparation and purification, physical properties, chemical behavior and reactions, identification by derivatisation and analytical procedures, and special handling techniques when necessary. (All in German except Series V) See this UT-Austin "Quick Guide" on how to use Beilstein; at its bottom there are links to good guides from other universities.
** CRC Atlas of Spectral Data and Physical Constants for Organic Compounds
Science Reference: QD291 .C18 (1st Edition, 2 vols.)
QD257.7 .G7 1975 (2nd Edition, 6 vols.)
Basic physical and spectral data. Indexes in Volume 2 are organized by mp, bp, mw, spectra, and structure. Many tables and definitions. Spectra are not graphed.
CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics (multiple editions)
Science Reference: QD65 .C4
Has two sections: Organic and Inorganic. Within each section, arranged alphabetically by compound name/element name. See section "Physical Constants of Organic Compounds." Listing is by parent followed by substituted compounds. Gives molecular weight, mp, bp, density, solubility, and Beilstein references.
** CRC Handbook of Tables for Organic Compound Identification
Science Reference: and QD291 .R28 1983
Also on Reserve: QD291 .R28 1983 (2 copies available)
Book of tables arranged by parent functional group, i.e. acids, aldehydes, ketones, etc. Data within tables organized by increasing values for mp or bp. Each table gives melting point, boiling point, refractive index and density of the parent, followed by a columnar arrangement of data for the most important derivatives. Use the index to find compound number and page of the unknown (parent).
Dictionary of Organic Compounds (6 vols. + 10 supplement vols.)
Science Reference: QD246 .D5 1982
Arranged alphabetically, with molecular formula, CAS RN, and name indexes. Good source for organic compound synonym names, structures, and basic data. Physical property information for derivatives is given in entry for parent compounds. Includes references to literature for syntheses, spectra, etc. TIP: Use Cumulative Indexes to Supplements first and work backwards. Then try indexes to main work.
Handbook of aqueous solubility data
Science Reference: QD257.7 .H33 2003
An extensive compilation of published data for the solubility of a wide variety of organic nonelectrolytes and unionized weak electrolytes in water. Over 16,000 solubility records for over 4000 compounds.
Handbook of Data on Organic Compounds (7 vols.)
Science Reference: QD257.7 .H36 1994
Arranged by parent compound. Good source for density and refractive indexes. Also, provides some color and solubility data. Have name and formula indexes.
Handbook of Physical Properties of Organic Chemicals
Science Reference: QD257.7 .H374 1997
Arranged by CAS Registry Number. Includes tables of physical properties, pictures of structures, solubility in water, pKa, vapor pressure and literature references. Has molecular formula and alphabetical name indexes.
** Identification of Pure Organic Compounds; Tables of Data on Selected Compounds of Order I
On Reserve: QD291 .H8
Sections arranged by parent functional group. Entries in sections arranged by increasing values of bp or mp. Data includes literature and Beilstein references, and some color information. Chapter XIII has tables of melting points for families of derivatives. Also describes tests for verifying compounds.
Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology (27 vols.)
Science Reference: TP9 .E685 1991
Can be a useful source of physical property data and literature references. Index gives CAS Registry Numbers for individual compounds.
Lange's Handbook of Chemistry
Science Reference: QD65 .L362 2005
Chemical properties for organic and inorganic compounds. Includes "heats of formation."
** Melting Point Tables of Organic Compounds
Science Reference: QD518 .U7 1963
Arranged by increasing mp values. Includes Beilstein references.
Merck Index (multiple editions)
Science Reference: RS51 .M4 1996
Information on organic and inorganic chemicals, drugs, pharmaceuticals. Includes brief organic compound physical properties, which may include information on colors, odors, and crystal shapes. Tables towards the back of the book give conversion factors and CAS RNs.
** A Method for the Identification of Pure Organic Compounds (4 vols.)
Science Reference: QD271 .M95 v.1-v.4
Sections arranged by parent functional group. Entries in sections arranged by increasing values of bp or mp. Provides color and odor information in descriptions.
**NIST Chemistry WebBook [http://webbook.nist.gov/chemistry/]
National Institute of Standards and Technology thermochemical, thermophysical and spectral data for thousands of compounds and reactions. Searchable by mw, vibrational and electronic energies, ion energetics properties (e.g. electron or proton affinity, acidity.)
**Properties of Organic Compounds (CD-ROM)
Science Reference Computer Workstation (the one with no name!)
A database with physical property information for over 28,000 organic compounds. Data can be retrieved by structure search, physical property or spectral peak value.
III. Selected Resources for Spectral Data
API Spectral Set
Science Reference: QD305 .H5 A46
Subsets for IR, UV, Raman, Mass, NMR. Index in back of subset. Stored in binders.
** CRC Atlas of Spectral Data and Physical Constants for Organic Compounds
Science Reference: QD291 .C18 (1st Edition, 2 vols.)
QD257.7 .G7 1975 (2nd Edition, 6 vols.)
Basic physical and spectral data. Indexes in Volume 2 are organized by mp, bp, mw, spectra, and structure. Many tables and definitions. Spectra are not graphed.
Guide to Spectroscopic Identification of Organic Compounds
Science Reference: QD272 .S6 F45 1995
Excellent source that provides instructions on how to interpret spectra.
Introduction to Spectroscopy: a Guide for Students of Organic Chemistry
Science Reference: QD272 .S6 P38 1996
Standard text.
**Spectral Database for Organic Compounds, SDBS [http://www.aist.go.jp/RIODB/SDBS/cgi-bin/cre_index.cgi]
This handy, free database from Japan's National Institute for Advanced Industrial Science & Technology (AIST) allows you to search on IR, 13C-NMR, 1H-NMR, ESR, MS and Raman spectra, including chemical shift values and MS peak and intensity. You also can search on molecular formula and ranges of molecular weights. See the Help page for information on how to search.
Spectrometric Identification of Organic Compounds
Science Reference: QD272 .S6 S55 2005
Includes NMR data for complex aromatics, heterocyclics, and hetero-aromatics. [Pages 207-222 ]? especially helpful.
NMR of Aromatic Compounds
Science Reference: QD331 .M45 1982
Tables of NMR shifting and coupling data for many aromatics.
IIIa. Infrared Spectra (IR) Sources
The Aldrich Library of FT-IR Spectra (3 vols.)
Science Reference: QC457 .P87 1997
Consult the Molecular Formula and Compound Name indexes in Volume 3 to locate spectra for a specific compound.
The Aldrich Library of Infrared Spectra (2 vols.)
Science Reference: QD96 .I5 P67 1981 (another copy also on reserve)
Consult the indexes in Volume 2 (alphabetical, molecular formula, Aldrich catalog number).
The Sigma Library of FT-IR Spectra (2 vols.)
Science Reference: QD96 .I5 K45 1986
Shows structures and spectra, brief physical properties. Indexes in Volume 2 are best way to access material (alphabetical, molecular formula and CAS RN).
IIIb. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectra Sources
The Aldrich Library of 13C and 1H FT NMR Spectra (3 vols.)
Science Reference: QC462.85 .A44 1993
Use Volume 3 (Molecular Formula or Compound Name indexes) to locate spectra for a compound.
The Aldrich Library of NMR Spectra
Science Reference: QD96 .N8 P68 (11 vols.) and QD96 .N8 P68 1983 (2 vols.)
On Reserve: QD96 .N8 P68 1983 (2 vols.)
Consult Molecular Formula or Compound Name indexes in Volume 2.
The Sadtler Handbook of Proton NMR Spectra (3 vols.)
Science Reference: QC762 .S3 1978
Has chemical shift and alphabetical indexes.
IV. Journal Literature
Beilstein's Handbook of Organic Chemistry (Handbuch der Organischen Chemie)
(Science Abstracts & Indexes: QD251 .B4) Located in Group Study Room 2.
Covers the organic chemistry literature from 1771-1979. Presents selected data culled from the published literature on organic compounds. (All in German except Series V) See this UT-Austin "Quick Guide" on how to use Beilstein; at its bottom there are links to good guides from other universities.
Chemical Abstracts
Science Indexes & Abstracts: Z 5523 .C4
also via SciFinder Scholar
The most comprehensive resource for finding articles in the chemistry literature (print version covers 8000 journals in most languages from 1907-2000).
SciFinder Scholar (Requires authentication to download software; you'll need your Name, UO ID#, and Library PIN. Also available in Science ITC.)
An online version of Chemical Abstracts (see entry above), and the Chemical Abstracts "Registry" database that has information on individual compounds. Has citations and abstracts for the chemistry literature, including patents, from 1967 to present. You can download software for SciFinder to your computer or access it on the computers in the Science Library Information Technology Center (ITC). Only two people on campus can use it at a time, so do NOT depend on consistent access to SciFinder Scholar. User guides are available from CAS.
Article citations from over 13,000 multidisciplinary journals in all disciplines from 1990-present. Has good coverage of chemistry journals.
Ingenta [http://www.ingenta.com]
Citation information from over 17,000 multidisciplinary journals from 1988-present. NOTE: Electronic journals listed in Ingenta may be available to UO readers, but access is not automatic. Check FindText for access to electronic journals.
This is a multidisciplinary database that can be searched by subject, author, journal, and author address, covering 1975 to present. It also allows you to see who has used an article in a bibliography -- or who has "cited" -- a particular published paper. You can trace a specific work by tracking the papers that quote it in the literature to identify more recent articles on the same topic.
