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Chemistry resources and support

Your Subject Librarian

Your Subject Librarian

Julian Hill

Other Chemistry Library staff can answer your more general library queries.

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Chemistry resources are available in these branch libraries

  • Most chemistry resources are held in the Chemistry Library. The Chemistry Library classmark scheme shows how the books and journals are arranged. New books are displayed on the New Book Display in the Chemistry Library for two weeks, during which time they may be reserved using the Library Catalogue but not borrowed.
  • School of Chemistry PhD, MSc and DSc theses, from 1910 to date, are available in the thesis collection in the Chemistry Library.
  • Some physical chemistry, theoretical chemistry, materials science, polymers - in the Physics Library
  • Biochemistry - in the Medical Library
  • Geochemistry - in the Wills Library
  • Some environmental chemistry - in the Geography and Biological Sciences Libraries
  • Statistics, computing and materials science - in the Queen's Library

A wide range of materials to support Chemistry courses are available in the Chemistry Library (ask at the Desk):

  • Recommended textbooks: in the Short Loan Collection (SLC) with standard loan copies on the open shelves (details are on the catalogue).
  • Examination papers: sets of past examination papers (bound in years) are kept in the Short Loan Collection (SLC) (details are on the catalogue).
  • Most Chemistry undergraduate course materials, including examination papers, workshop questions & answers, and some lecturer’s notes, are available on the School of Chemistry's DLM (Dynamic Laboratory Manual) (registered users only).
  • Student yearbooks, periodic table and molecular building kit are also available. Please ask at the Chemistry Library Desk.

How to find books, journals, and more

Inter-Library Loans and ILL vouchers

The Inter-Library Loans (ILL) service can be used to obtain Items not held in print in the University's branch libraries or available online. There is a charge for this service, though it may be possible to obtain an Inter-library loan voucher to pay for this:

  • School of Chemistry academic staff and research postgraduates will usually be able to obtain an Inter-library loan voucher from the Chemistry Library.
  • Chemistry undergraduates should check with Chemistry Library staff first before making a request and may be asked to obtain a signature from their final year project supervisor.

Information for academic staff and researchers

  • Our Research support pages cover finding information, managing information, and exploiting your research, together with sources of further help and advice.
  • Each academic department in the university has its own library representative, whose duties are detailed in these guidelines. The Library Representative for Chemistry is Prof. Neil Allan, and formal academic liaison is through termly meetings of the Worsley Library Committee.
  • New book suggestions can be made using the 'Make a book suggestion' above or directly to the Subject Librarian.
  • New journal suggestions can be made to the Subject Librarian, though we will normally have to cancel existing subscriptions to fund new ones.
  • New academic staff are welcome to contact the Subject Librarian to arrange a session on how the Library can help you.

Databases

Important information about key chemistry databases:

  • SciFinder registration and use (UoB access only). SciFinder is available at https://scifinder.cas.org/
  • CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics online (http://www.hbcpnetbase.com/) is the online version of the popular databook. Probably the most important feature of the home page is the link 'Substance/ Property Search' - this allows searching by structure, molecular formulas, registry numbers, property values, etc and is far more powerful than the 'Text Search' which only searches text. Alternatively, you can browse sections of the handbook by using the 'Table of Contents' on the home page.
  • Reaxys (http://www.reaxys.com/) replaced CrossFire here in 2010. Reaxys includes Beilstein and Gmelin, which were on CrossFire, and the Patents Chemistry Database. It is possible to register your details on Reaxys so that you can login and customise the interface, create Alerts for useful searches, etc. This will also give you a longer timeout (6 hours compared to 30 mins). A Reaxys database handout (PDF, 368 KB) is available.
  • Databases useful for chemists (PDF, 120 KB) is a handout summarising the most useful databases for chemists, with some examples of how to use Web of Science.

Note: some of the documents on this page are in PDF format. In order to view a PDF you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader Get Acrobat Reader

Internet links

Gateways to chemistry resources

  • Chemdex - a listing of over 7,000 Chemistry-related sites (UK, USA, Europe and worldwide). Held at Sheffield University and updated regularly.
  • Scirus a searchable gateway to science resources on the web.
  • Open Directory - Science: Chemistry (dmoz) - over 4000 selected Internet resources for chemistry which can be searched or browsed. The Open Directory Project is the largest, most comprehensive human-edited directory of the Web. It is constructed and maintained by a vast, global community of volunteer editors.
  • Chemical Information Sources - from Indiana University, includes Selected Internet Resources for Chemistry and Clearinghouse for Chemical Information Instructional Materials.
  • About.com (Chemistry section) - a more commercial search engine /directory of chemistry sites on the Web. Other sections deal with other subjects. Note: 'Search engines' (link below) like Yahoo also provide subject breakdowns of sites.
  • Chemie.DE - Chemistry Information Service - supported by the German Academic Network Organisation. Includes links, software reviews, jobs, conferences, etc. Includes a 'Chemistry Search Engine', a 'Chemicals Search' and a useful 'Toolbox' can help you with abbreviations, acronyms, units, chemical terms (dictionary) and the periodic system.

Data sources and chemical catalogues

  • CRC handbook of chemistry and physics online - see the 'Databases' section above for some advice on using the online CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. The 'Quick reference tools' section below gives details of other online data books.
  • ChemSpider - ChemSpider is a free-to-access collection of chemical compound data from across the web, provided by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). It aggregates chemical structures and their associated information into a single searchable repository, providing free text and structure search access to millions of chemical structures.
  • Reaxys - includes the Beilstein and Gmelin handbooks of organic and inorganic compounds and chemistry patents information. More information is available in the 'Databases' section above.
  • WebElements - a database of information about the elements.
  • eMolecules - eMolecules is an open-access chemistry search engine for finding information about, and suppliers of, chemicals. Includes chemical structure and substructure searching. Previously known as Chmoogle.
  • NIST chemistry Web-book - thermodynamic and other data for common chemicals. Other NIST data collections are available.
  • Sigma-Aldrich - includes searchable catalogues covering over 200,000 products and chemicals from Aldrich, Fluka, Sigma, Supelco, etc. You will need to register to gain full benefit from the site.
  • Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) (UOB only) - advice from the School of Chemistry, University of Bristol.
  • If you need to look up journal title abbreviations to find the full title of a journal (or vice versa) there are links to useful sites in 'Referencing help'.
  • Chemical Database Service - The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) is operating the EPSRC National Chemical Database Service from 2013-2017, starting with access to the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD), ACD/ILab and Accelrys' Available Chemicals Directory. The Service will also include integrated access to the RSC's ChemSpider database. Other services will be added in the future. The CDS was previously based at Daresbury Laboratory.
  • See also the 'Quick reference tools' option below.

Learned societies and other organisations

Learning resources

  • Internet for Chemistry - A free 'teach yourself' tutorial on Internet information skills for chemists from Intute. This will help you to find and learn how to use chemistry information. Other subjects available also.
  • Chemical Information Sources - from Indiana University, includes useful outlines of the chemical literature together with links to useful resources.
  • UK Physical Sciences Centre (Higher Education Academy) - provides support to teachers of the physical sciences in UK higher education, including chemistry, physics and astronomy. This has taken over from the CTI.
  • See 'Referencing help' for links to resources on referencing in your written work and writing for chemistry.
  • Physical sciences discussion lists - available through JISCmail. Join these to help keep in touch with a subject.

Quick reference tools

Increasingly, online databases and Internet sites are becoming useful reference sources, but you must be careful in evaluating the quality of the information you find on the Internet in particular. For instance, Wikipedia should not be used as an authoritative source for academic work, though it can sometimes be useful in giving links to resources that can be.

General chemistry dictionaries and data books

  • Chemistry dictionaries and data books can be found in the Chemistry Library at the classmark XR, and include:
    • CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics (recent edition is best, see below for online version),
    • Kaye & Laby, Tables of Physical and Chemical Constants (see below for online version)
    • Bennett, Concise Chemical and Technical Dictionary
    • Merck Index (esp. good for drugs and biologicals)
    • Concise Encyclopedia Chemistry
    • Lange's Handbook of Chemistry
  • CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics online <http://www.hbcpnetbase.com/> is the online version of the popular databook. Probably the most important feature of the home page is the link 'Substance/ Property Search' - this allows searching by structure, molecular formulas, registry numbers, property values, etc and is far more powerful than the 'Text Search' which only searches text. Alternatively, you can browse sections of the handbook by using the 'Table of Contents' on the home page.
  • Tables of Physical and Chemical Constants <http://www.kayelaby.npl.co.uk/> - by Kaye & Laby
  • ChemSpider <http://www.chemspider.com/> - ChemSpider is a free-to-access collection of chemical compound data from across the web, provided by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). It aggregates chemical structures and their associated information into a single searchable repository, providing free text and structure search access to millions of chemical structures.
  • Reaxys <http://www.reaxys.com> - includes the Beilstein and Gmelin handbooks of organic and inorganic compounds and chemistry patents information. More information is available in the 'Database' section above.
  • See also the Data sources and chemical catalogues section of the Internet links section of this tab.

Subject-specific encyclopedias, dictionaries and handbooks

  • Encyclopedia of Analytical Science - for analytical techniques and applications - Chemistry Library at T(03)R ENC
  • Encyclopedia of Global Change: environmental change and human society - Chemistry Library at R(03)R ENC
  • Treatise on Geochemistry - in the Wills Library at QE515 TRE
  • Encyclopedia of Inorganic Chemistry - Chemistry Library at I(03)R ENC
  • Comprehensive Organometallic Chemistry I, II, & III - Chemistry Library at N(03)R COM
  • Comprehensive Coordination Chemistry I & II - Chemistry Library at I6(03)R COM
  • Comprehensive Supramolecular Chemistry - Chemistry Library at O55(03)R COM
  • Comprehensive Organic Synthesis - Chemistry Library at O2(03)R COM
  • Encyclopedia of Reagents for Organic Synthesis (EROS) - Chemistry Library at O2(03)R ENC
  • Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Technology - in the Physics Library at REF 36.20 ENC
  • Comprehensive Polymer Science - Chemistry Library at F6(03)R COM
  • Encyclopedia of Surface and Colloid Science - Chemistry Library at F31(03)R ENC
  • Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry (Ullmann's) - very useful for applied / industrial chemistry - Chemistry Library at M2(03)R ULL
  • Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology (Kirk-Othmer) - an older alternative to Ullmann's - Chemistry Library at M2(03)R KIR
  • Encyclopedia of Materials Science and Technology - in the Queen's Library at TA402 ENC
  • Encyclopedia of Advanced Materials - in the Queen's Library at TA402 ENC

Subject-specific data books and handbooks

  • Comprehensive Handbook of Chemical Bond Energies - Chemistry Library at X(E414)R LUO
  • Dictionary of Organic Compounds - Chemistry Library at X(O)R DIC
  • Dictionary of Organometallic Compounds - Chemistry Library at X(N)R DIC
  • International Tables for Crystallography - Chemistry Library at X(H)R INT
  • Landolt-Boernstein - a high-quality chemistry, physics and technology data collection - Some of the early volumes are available in print in the Chemistry and Physics Libraries (check the catalogue). You can check for new and old content at the Landolt-Börnstein website and you may be able to buy individual extracts
  • JANAF Thermochemical Tables - Chemistry Library at X(E414)R JAN
  • Polymer Handbook - Chemistry Library at X(F6)R POL

Spectra

Various sets of spectra - in the Chemistry Library at F5.. or X(F5..) including

  • Aldrich library of IR spectra (X(F54)R POU)
  • Aldrich library of NMR spectra (X(F561)R POU)
  • Aldrich library of 13C and 1H FT NMR spectra (X(F561)R POU)
  • Herzberg, Molecular Spectra & Molecular Structure (4 vols kept at the Library Desk, plus some loanable on open shelves)
  • Nakamoto, Infrared & Raman Spectra of Inorganic & Coordination Compounds (2 vols kept at the Library Desk, plus some loanable on open shelves)

Syntheses

As well as using databases to find synthetic methods published in journal articles, patents, etc, we have a wide variety of print resources that can help:

  • Organic Syntheses - over 80 volumes of this journal type publication are at Shelf 92 in the Chemistry Library. Also available online at http://www.orgsyn.org/
  • Organic synthesis books can be found at classmark O2 in the Chemistry Library
  • March's Advanced Organic Chemistry, a valuable one volume text covering organic syntheses can be found at classmark O1 in the Chemistry Library (ask for the latest edition at the Desk)
  • Organic reactions books, including name(d) reactions, can be found at classmark O9 in the Chemistry Library
  • Inorganic Syntheses - over 30 volumes of this journal type publication are at Shelf 28 in the Chemistry Library
  • Inorganic synthesis books can be found at classmark I2 in the Chemistry Library, and organometallic syntheses at N2

Safety data

  • Safety data in print - in the Chemistry Library at X(A7)R
  • Safety data online - see the Safety in the School of Chemistry (UOB only) advice from the School of Chemistry, University of Bristol.

Chemical catalogues

  • Chemical catalogues - in the Chemistry Library at X(M9)R

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Reviews and bibliographies

Reading review articles can be a good way of familiarising yourself with a topic quickly. Review articles can be published in normal journals, or in review type journals like the following. In many databases you can search for review articles, eg by refining search results in Web of Science by Document type.

Chemical Reviews

  • online via the eJournal Catalogue
  • until 2002, in print in the Chemistry Library - check the Library Catalogue for locations

Accounts of Chemical Research

  • online via the eJournal Catalogue
  • until 2002, in print in the Chemistry Library at Shelf 138

Chemical Society Reviews

  • online via the eJournal Catalogue
  • until 2006, in print in the Chemistry Library at Shelf 142

Annual Reports on the Progress of Chemistry

Advances in Chemical Physics

  • ongoing, in print in the Chemistry Library at Shelf 138-139
  • not available here online

Many others are available online and/or kept on shelves 138-147 in the Chemistry Library.

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Information skills training for undergraduates

  • Chemistry 1X students have an assessed 'Library worksheet' (in the form of an online quiz), to gain the knowledge and skills to be able to use the library effectively in the first year. The instructions for accessing and submitting the Library worksheet (Chemistry 1X) are available via the School of Chemistry's DLM (Dynamic Laboratory Manual) (registered users only) or can be accessed here:
  • Chemistry Year 2 students (apart from F104) have an assessed 'Finding and using literature references in your written work' assignment (in the form of an online quiz)  to help gain important information literacy skills. These skills are necessary for the Formal Laboratory Reports write-ups, for project work later in the course, and for life after university. The instructions for accessing and submitting this assignment will be available via the School of Chemistry's DLM (Dynamic Laboratory Manual) (registered users only) or can be accessed here:
  • Handouts on using the Chemistry Library and searching the chemical literature include:
  • A number of general 'Self-learning resources' are available below, including video tutorials, downloadable library guides, and web resources.
  • Find out about referencing in your written work and EndNote referencing software in 'Referencing help'.

Note: some of the documents on this page are in PDF format. In order to view a PDF you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader Get Acrobat Reader

Information skills training for postgraduates

  • The Subject Librarian for Chemistry gives a brief talk about the Chemistry Library and its services to new chemistry postgraduates in the Autumn Term.
  • Section 5 of the School of Chemistry's Graduate Handbook gives a useful summary of the main information resources available through the Library, and there are helpful handouts available at the Information display just inside the Chemistry Library (some of these can be downloaded from the Information for undergraduates page).
  • A Services useful for research postgraduates handout (PDF, 115 KB) is available at the Information display.
  • Handouts on using the Chemistry Library and searching the chemical literature include:
  • A number of general 'Self-learning resources' are available below, including video tutorials, downloadable library guides, and web resources.
  • Find out about referencing in your written work and EndNote referencing software in 'Referencing help'.

Note: some of the documents on this page are in PDF format. In order to view a PDF you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader Get Acrobat Reader

Self-learning resources

  • Video tutorials - topics include the Library Catalogue, understanding references on reading lists, using the MetaLib resource gateway, off-campus access to eResources, etc.
  • Finding and using information pages - covering key aspects of information skills, including researching a topic, effective use of Google, evaluating your search results, avoiding plagiarism, etc. Also includes a Jargon-buster page.
  • Library guides - downloadable guides to each branch library, our main search tools, special library services, etc.
  • External resources for developing your information skills - including online tutorials and downloadable guides.
  • Find out about referencing in your written work and EndNote referencing software in 'Referencing help'.

Referencing guidance

Referencing

  • General referencing guidance - includes Why reference? What is included in a reference? Referencing styles, How to reference, Links to useful sites on referencing, and brief details of EndNote and EndNote Web referencing software (see the EndNote referencing software section below for more details).
  • Understanding and quoting literature references (PDF, 156KB) - a handout with advice for Chemistry students and researchers.

Journal title abbreviations

  • Literature references are often written with abbreviated terms. Probably the most troublesome are abbreviated journal titles which can make finding a journal difficult.
  • In chemistry the journal title abbreviations used by Chemical Abstracts are often used. You can look up these abbreviations in CASSI (Chemical Abstracts Service Source Index), which is kept at the end of the printed Chemical Abstracts sequence in the Chemistry Library. The 1907 - 1999 edition is held, so will not include new journal titles that started publication from 1999 onwards.
  • If you are unable to find the abbreviation you are looking for, please ask a member of the Library staff for assistance. Alternatively, these online resources may help:
    • CAS Source Index (CASSI) Search Tool - a free search tool from the Chemical Abstracts Service, which includes the Journal title abbreviations used in Chemical Abstracts/SciFinder Scholar.
    • Approximately 1500 of the key scientific journals are listed, with their standard journal tile abbreviation, on the CAplusSM Core Journal Coverage List. The Royal Society of Chemistry author guidelines also recommends the use of these.

Unofficial journal title abbreviations

Sometimes very short unofficial abbreviations are employed in reference books or journals. Here are some examples that you may encounter:

  • JACS - Journal of the American Chemical Society
  • JCS - Journal of the Chemical Society
  • JCP - Journal of Chemical Physics
  • JOC - Journal of Organic Chemistry
  • AC - Analytical Chemistry

Please note: these should not be used in the references that you write, unless they are stipulated by the body or journal that you are submitting your work to.

Note: some of the documents on this page are in PDF format. In order to view a PDF you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader Get Acrobat Reader

Writing for the subject, and how to avoid plagiarism

  • General advice on writing and style guides
  • Various guides to scientific writing, including "The ACS Style Guide: Effective Communication of Scientific Information" are available at classmark A32 in the Chemistry Library.
  • The Chemistry Style Manual (2nd edition) is available free to download for personal use from Kieran F Lim's Books and Papers page (see the copyright and permissions page in the book).
  • Various guides to study skills, including writing, are available at classmark A82-A86 in the Chemistry Library.
  • Our Plagiarism page explains what plagiarism is, how to avoid it, and the consequences of plagiarism.

EndNote referencing software

EndNote is the University of Bristol's recommended bibliographical management software, which can be used to collect, store, organise and manage references, and to output them as reference lists or bibliographies. A particularly useful function is 'Cite While You Write', enabling you to format Word documents, producing bibliographies and adding references within the text.

  • EndNote Web help, advice and training sessions
    This is the recommended version for all undergraduate and taught postgraduate students - it is available free to UoB students and staff.
  • EndNote Desktop support
    Academics, researchers and research postgraduates can use the desktop version, which may be installed on their UoB PC. See the 'Help and support' page of EndNote Desktop support for details of self help training materials.