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Chemistry & Biochemistry

This is a guide for library resources in Chemistry & Biochemistry.

Learning Outcomes

Students will know how to: 

Students will be exposed to the literature of chemistry

They will be able to:

  1. Identify compounds and synonyms
  2. Find the Molecular Formula for a substance
  3. Find the CAS number for a substance
  4. Find the Physical Properties and characterics
  5. Find the compound name, CAS Number and Molecular formula

Students may use the following research tools to find chemical information

  1. Knovel
  2. Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology
  3. SciFinder Web
  4. Merck Index  
    Not available online. Click on link to see where print copies are available.  Look in the text for each entry for "Prepn", these are references to preparations and/or syntheses. 
  5. CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics

Getting Started

In order to thoroughly research your compound, you will need the following:

  • Compound name
    • Approved by your instructor
    • Synonyms
  • Molecular Formula
  • CAS Number

This information can be found in the following resources:

SciFinder Web

SciFinder Web is the web-based version of Chemical Abstracts, the world's largest and most up-to-date collection of chemical information. Covers journal articles, patents, technical reports, books, conference proceedings, and dissertations from around the world.

Registration Instructions. After your registration is submitted to CAS, you will be emailed a link to authenticateyour registration. This link can only be used once and will only last 48 hours.

Register for a SciFinder Web Account

How to Explore by Substance Identifier

Using SciFinder Web

Here are a few tips to help you search for chemical compounds in SciFinder Web.

  1. Log into SciFinder Web.  In class, you will be given a user name and password for this training session. If you would like to use SciFinder Web after the training session, don't forget to register for your own account.
  2. Explore Substance.  Search by Substance Identifier.  Enter your compound name and CAS Number.
  3. Select your compound and click on Substance Detail.  Here you will find physical property, spectra and other chemical information on your compound. 

Additional Resources

The ASU Library acknowledges the twenty-three Native Nations that have inhabited this land for centuries. Arizona State University's four campuses are located in the Salt River Valley on ancestral territories of Indigenous peoples, including the Akimel O’odham (Pima) and Pee Posh (Maricopa) Indian Communities, whose care and keeping of these lands allows us to be here today. ASU Library acknowledges the sovereignty of these nations and seeks to foster an environment of success and possibility for Native American students and patrons. We are advocates for the incorporation of Indigenous knowledge systems and research methodologies within contemporary library practice. ASU Library welcomes members of the Akimel O’odham and Pee Posh, and all Native nations to the Library.