Chemistry
From Simmons Library Research Guides
We have selected these resources to help you find relevant information on your research topic. Please contact a librarian for help using the resources listed in this guide or for help with your research process.
Contents |
Reference and Background Information
Use the Simmons Eresource called [http://0-refuniv.odyssi.com.library.simmons.edu/ Reference Universe] to search for information about your topic in all of our Reference sources.
or, search for Reference sources that contain information about your specific research topic here:
You may also consult the resources below for overviews of the topic that you have chosen to research. Use these resources to help you to put your topic in context and give you the big picture of what information exists about your topic. These resources may have bibliographies at the end of each entry that can help further your research.
- How to Find Chemical Information
Level 1 Reference QD8.5 .M34 1998
Provides "in-depth examination of chemical information tools and access methods with tested principles for assessing and selecting the most appropriate sources for different needs."
- Chemistry:Foundations and Applications
Level 1 Reference QD4 .C48 2004
This reference source contains 509 articles providing basic information on a broad range of topics within the field of chemistry. Topics include biographies of past and present scientists, applications of chemistry in everyday life, and the history of the field. Touches on all branches of chemistry including inorganic, industrial, atmospheric and computational chemistry, and biotechnology. Articles are alphabetically arranged and contain cross-references to related topics.
- A Dictionary of Chemistry
Simmons Eresource
Covers all the commonly used terms in chemistry, including physical chemistry, biochemistry, and environmental science. Laboratory techniques are also included.
- Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary
Level 1 Reference QD5 .C5 2007
Provides summaries of chemicals and chemical reactions in the form technical descriptions of chemicals, raw materials, and processes; expanded definitions of chemical entities, phenomena, and terminology; and description of trademarked products used in chemical industries. Entries are cross-referenced.
- Van Nostrand Reinhold Encyclopedia of Chemistry
Level 1 Reference QD5 .V37
This source covers topics in chemistry including green chemistry, supramolecular chemistry, and nanotechnology. The scope is broad enough to encompass related areas in physics, engineering, geology, biology, and agriculture Entries are written progressively, so that the farther into an entry one reads, the more detailed and technical the explanation becomes. Entries are cross-referenced and include references for further reading.
- Encyclopedia of Chemistry
Level 1 Reference QD4 .R57 2005
Contains more than two thousand entries on chemistry-related terms, short biographies of noted chemists, and a few essays on various chemical topics.
- Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology
Level 1 Reference TP9 .E685
This is largely considered the alpha and omega of chemical technology, organized in 25+ volumes. It offers information easily accessible format, and offers convenient, key information that it is broadly useful. The articles covered in this resource are thoroughly well documented to be relevant to Chemistry students, and accessible enough for anyone interested in this domain.
- Handbook of Basic Tables for Chemical Analysis
Level 1 Reference QD78 .B78 2003
As the name suggests, this book contains a series of tables with basic data for designing analysis methods and procedures. It is useful for the students that must use various aspects of chemical analysis in their work (for example, if you need to know the physical properties of chloroform or if you need a list of common recrystalization solvents).
Lab Resources
- Illustrated Chemistry Laboratory Terminology
Level 1 Reference QD51 .O25 1991
This source, "is a handy manual intended for those whose first language is not English and who wish to expand their English vocabulary in the chemical laboratory area. Tables of contents and indices are listed in Chinese, French, German, Polish, Spanish, and Turkish."
- Writing the laboratory notebook
Level G Q180.58 .K36 1985
This guide discusses the vital aspects of how to make a proper and permanent record of academic research work. It is designed to teach the principles of proper scientific notekeeping.
- Sigma Aldrich (formerly Aldrich Catalog)
Free Online
An online product catalog of over 37,000 substances that includes chemical properties and brief information about use, and storage chemical substances.
- CRC Handbook of Laboratory Safety
Level G - Books QD51 .C73 1995
This source details how to organize safety efforts in a laboratory setting that adhere to the latest regulations and use the newest technology. It covers such topics as planning and building a facility, developing an organization infrastructure, planning for emergencies and contingencies, choosing the correct equipment, developing operational plans, and meeting regulatory requirements.
- A Comprehensive Guide to the Hazardous Properties of Chemical Substances
Level 1 Reference RA1211 .P38 1992
Describes 1,500 hazardous chemicals in great detail. Entries include uses, physical properties, health hazards, antidotes, chemical formulas, and much more. Organized alphabetically according to chemical type (for example, acid or gas).
- Hazardous Laboratory Chemicals Disposal Guide
Level G - Books QD64 .A76 2003
This text is a comprehensive guide to the safe disposal of over 300 common laboratory materials, with emphasis given to disposal methods which turn hazardous materials into inert products. It also contains valuable information on specific chemicals related to their properties and the hazards associated with handling them.
- Reagent Chemicals
Level 1 Reference QD77 .A54 2000
Provides general physical properties and analytical uses for all reagent chemicals.
- Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater
Level 1 Reference TD 380 .S8 2005
An authoritative guide to methods for testing water. Each entry includes measurement methods, physical attributes, instruments required, testing facility requirements, chemical formulas, and diagrams when necessary.
Chemical Properties and Nomenclature
- Chemical Properties Handbook
Level 1 Reference TP200 .Y35 1999
Provides information on how how chemicals will behave at different temperatures and under different conditions. Includes information for both organic and inorganic substances and gives both experimental values and estimated values.
- Beilsteins Handbuch der Organischen Chemie
Level 1 Reference QD251 .B4
This German-language source provides information on all areas of organic chemistry, including data on the composition, preparation, structure, properties and analysis of all organic compounds which are reported in reliable scientific literature. Also included are reference for the scientific literature for further study. Because Beilsteins is not in English and is densely packed with chemical information, you may wish to consult a guide for help using it. Consider the Reference Guide from the Linda Hall Library, A Brief Introduction to the Use of Beilstein's Handbuch der Organischen Chemie, or The Beilstein guide: A Manual for the Use of Beilsteins Handbuch der organischen Chemie.
- ChemFinder
Free Online
Search this database of chemicals to find synonyms, chemical names, CAS Numbers, molecular formulas, or molecular weights.
- CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics
Level 1 Reference QD65 .H3
Provides chemical data including unit conversion, physical constants, compounds, properties, symbols & terminology, mathematical tables, and practical laboratory data.
- Dictionary of Organic Compounds
Level 1 Reference QD246 .D5 1982
Provides details on the chemical structure and the physical, chemical and other properties of organic substances. Also includes citations for the leading literature on for each compound.
- Lange's Handbook of Chemistry
Level 1 Reference QD65 .L36 2005
Contains basic chemical information on over 4300 organic chemical compounds. The main section provides structural formula, formula weight, Beilstein reference, and density for the organic chemical compounds. Additional sections deal with topics like conversion, mathematics, surface tension, radicals, bonds, and atoms.
- The Merck Index
Level 1 Reference RS51 .M4
Provides information on chemicals, drugs, and biologicals, including chemical, common and generic names, trademarks and associated companies, CAS Registry Numbers, chemical structures, molecular formulae, weights and percentage composition, capsule statements identifying compound classes and scientific significance, scientific and patent literature references, physical and toxicity data, therapeutic and commercial uses, and toxicology information.
- Nomenclature of Organic Chemistry
Free Online
A reproduction of the IUPAC Blue Book and 1993 Recommendations.
- NIST Chemistry Webbook
Free Online
Chemical and physical property information, including gas phase ion, spectra, and thermochemical data. The information is organized by chemical species and searchable by formula, name, CAS registry number, reaction, and molecular weight.
- Properties of Materials
Books - Level 2
Provides an introduction to the principles and concepts of material science. Introduces various types of matter, their properties, and the relationships among these properties.
- Visual Elements Periodic Table
Free Online
This site is an arts and science collaborative project supported by the Royal Society of Chemistry. The aims of this project are "to produce images that explore and reflect upon the diversity of elements that comprise matter in as unique and innovative a manner as possible, and to realize the potential for a visually dynamic graphic form of the periodic table." The elements from the Periodic Table are "transformed into colorful, informative, and beautiful icons" by a team of artists based on "etymological roots, mythological origins, modern associations and sheer whimsy."
- Gardner's Chemical Synonyms and Trade Names
Level 1 Reference TP9 .G286 1999
Includes availability and manufacturer notations for each chemical along with a directory of manufacturers and an appendix of manufacturer successors. There are also cross reference tables for CAS to trade name, CAS to chemical and EINECS to chemical.
- Chemical Compounds
Level 1 Reference QD471.W45 2006
Contains 180 entries on both organic and inorganic compounds. Key facts (compound’s other names, its chemical formula, the compound type, its state, molecular weight, melting point, freezing point, and its solubility), an overview of the compound, how it is made, common uses and potential hazards are listed. Also contains a diagram of the compound and interesting facts about the compound.
- Encyclopedic Dictionary of Named Processes in Chemical Technology
Level 1 Reference TP155.7 .C664 2007
Alphabetically arranged, this reference work provides over 3000 descriptions of chemical technology processes that are known by special names and are not self-explanatory. Also lists when the process was introduced and patent information.
Finding Articles
Below are suggested databases and indexes for articles on the topic that you have chosen to research. These databases include articles from newspapers, magazines and scholarly journals. Articles are shorter and more narrowly focused than books or reference materials so you should use them after you have narrowed your topic.
- SciFinder Scholar
Simmons Eresource
A software program that enables searching of the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) databases. The database covers research from many scientific disciplines, including biomedical sciences, chemistry, engineering, material science, agricultural science. It contains references from nearly 9,500 currently published journals and patents from more than 50 active patent issuing authorities. It also includes the most comprehensive collection of organic and inorganic substance information.
- Applied Science and Technology Index
Simmons Eresource
Bibliographic database that indexes and abstracts articles dealing with applied science and technology. Indexed articles come from trade and industrial publications, journals issued by professional and technical societies, and specialized subject periodicals, as well as special issues such as buyers' guides, directories, and conference proceedings.
- General Science Index
Simmons Eresource
Covering topics from the fields of astronomy, atmospheric Science, biology, botany, chemistry, conservation, earth science, environment, food, genetics, health, mathematics, medicine, microbiology, nutrition, oceanography, physics, physiology, and zoology. Includes research articles, biographical sketches, symposia, conferences, review articles, selected letters to the editor, and special issues of journals published as supplementary issues, review issues, book reviews, and laboratory guides from American and British journals and magazines.
- ABC Chemistry - Free Fulltext Chemistry Journals
Free Online
This resource provides an alphabetical list of select chemistry journals that are available freely online. Entries include links to the fulltext journal and information about the range of fulltext availability. This is not a searchable database.
- Academic Search Complete
Simmons Eresource
Academic Search Complete is a great place to start your search for both popular and scholarly articles, no matter what your topic is! It contains journals from almost every topic and is designed specifically for academic institutions. It provides more than 5,300 full-text periodicals, 4,400 of which are peer-reviewed journals. This resource also features content as far back as 1865.
- Academic Onefile
Simmons Eresource
Academic Onefile contains 8,000 academic journals, the majority in full-text, available in HTML and PDF formats. In addition it contains hundreds of podcasts and transcripts from NPR, CNN, and the CBC.
- Expanded Academic ASAP
Simmons Eresource
From arts and the humanities to social sciences, science and technology, this database meets research needs across all academic disciplines. Access scholarly journals, news magazines, and newspapers - many with full text and images. Updated daily.
TIP: Use the Advanced Search for a more precise search!
- Science Citation Index -- ISI Web of Science
Simmons Eresource
This source is an index of citations and abstracts of scholarly articles from over six thousand journals pertaining to almost all the scientific fields
Note: Full text of the cited articles is not available through Social Science Citation Index. Click the link that says "Check for Full-Text Availability" to determine if the library has access to the article. Remember, if we do not have the entire article, it can be requested through Interlibrary Loan.
Searching the Web
Simmons librarians have created a customized search engine that allows you
to find Chemistry information on the free web.
Use this Chemistry Google Custom Search Engine box to search all select, quality free web sites at the
same time:
You may also wish to go directly to, or bookmark, the Chemistry Google Custom Search Engine
Tips for Searching the Internet:
- Use the advanced search function, which is available from most search engines:
- Google - See also "Advanced Search Tips"
- Ask - Click "Advanced." See also "Advanced Search Tips"
- Live (MSN) - See also "Options"
- Exalead - See also "Exalead FAQ"
- Yahoo! Search
- Limit your search to .edu and .gov sites. These often provide quality research, statistics, and commentary. Sites ending in .org often have good information, too, but are likely to espouse a strong stance or bias on the issues they cover and may not be objective.
- Try Scandoo, which presents search results from Google, Yahoo! Search, or Live (MSN) with an evaluation about the objectivity, credibility, and overall reliability of the site.
- Consider using a directory of pre-screened, annotated sites:
Writing Style and Citation
For more information on style and citation for this discipline, please contact the Simmons College Writing Center
You may also consider consulting these resources:
- Writing Resources
Free Online
The Writing Center provides online resources for citing your research. If you are unsure of which citation style to use, consult your professor and consider the following:- Use APA (American Psychological Association) when your topic is in the Social Sciences
- Use ASA (American Sociological Association) when your topic is in Sociology
- Use MLA (Modern Language Association) when your topic is in the Humanities
- Use Chicago/Turabian when your topic is in Literature, History or the Arts
- Use CSE (Council of Science Editors) when your topic is in the Sciences
- RefWorks
Simmons Eresource
RefWorks is a great program for organizing articles, books, and other materials you need for research. You can also use RefWorks to create bibliographies, create in text citations in your paper (Write-N-Cite), and share your research with others. Access RefWorks from the A-Z list of resources on the library's web page, and then follow the instructions to create your own username and password. We hold RefWorks Clinics throughout the semester. For more information, ask a reference librarian
- ACS Style Guide
Level 1 Reference QD8.5 .A25 1997
Provides "invaluable insight on ethics in scientific communication, the editorial process, copyright, conventions in chemistry, grammar, punctuation, spelling, and writing style for any STM author, reviewer, or editor." See also: Reference Style Guidelines
- Scientific Style and Format: The CBE Manual for Authors, Editors, and Publishers
Level 1 Reference QH304 .C68 1994
The most recognized, authoritative reference for authors, editors, publishers, students, and translators in all areas of science and related fields.
- Writing the laboratory notebook
Level G Q180.58 .K36 1985
This guide discusses the vital aspects of how to make a proper and permanent record of academic research work. It is designed to teach the principles of proper scientific notekeeping.
