6: Online Chemical Databases

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Advances in technology have completely transformed the way organic chemists plan synthetic reactions. Online databases and catalogs now replace the old print journals and indexes and make searching for background information rapid and easy. As part of the course you will become familiar with the following resources:

Chemical Catalogs

Chemical companies often provide physical constants and spectral data for the chemical reagents they sell. They provide an easy way to find important information about many of the reagents you will use in the course. Common catalogs include:

Aldrich (tutorial)
Acros

SDBS (tutorial)

SDBS is a database that reports spectral data for many common chemical compounds. Infrared, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR data can be obtained from this site by a search from the name, molecular formula, molecular weight, or key spectral peaks.

Reaxsys

Reaxsys is a database that can provide physical constants, spectral data, and chemical reactions. Searches can be performed starting by compound name, structure, or reaction conditions. Access Reaxsys from the "Research Guide" tool on the CTools site. Reaxsys is administered by the science library and any specific questions about the site can be directed to Dr. Ye Li, the Chemistry Librarian.

Chemdraw

Chemdraw is drawing software that is to chemistry what Microsoft Word is to word processing. Chemdraw is also administered by the science llibrary. Access Chemdraw from the "Research Guide" tool on the CTools site. All Chemistry 216 students can download the Chemdraw software for free though it also available on the computers in the Science Learning Center.