• In most of the databases above, you can use keywords to search. SciFinder is the exception: you should use natural language (i.e. use a research question or statement) to search. SciFinder does the work of parsing your question for you.  
• But there are other ways to search in SciFinder. For example, you can:
  • Search for reactions, (e.g. Fischer Esterification reaction) using the "Research Topic" search or you can use the "Reaction Structure" search
  • Search for chemicals (e.g. isoamyl acetate) by name, chemical structure, CAS number, using the "Substance Identifier" search
  • Search for company names (e.g. Biox) using the "Company Name" search option
• For the other databases (e.g. Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science) you can use Boolean search operators (e.g. AND, OR , NOT) to combine related and unrelated search terms. 
• You can also combine keywords with other types of searches, such as an author search. For example you can search for "isoamyl acetate" in the "all fields" search and then Ferreira in the author search.
•  If you are not getting enough results then use fewer search terms to broaden your search.
• Once you find an article by the author you are searching for, in most databases, you can click on their name and get more information about them (e.g. how many articles they have written, co-authors, etc) and get links to their other articles. 

More help resources:

• Help pages with instructions and tutorials for using SciFinder: https://scifinder-cas-org.myaccess.library.utoronto.ca/help/scifinder/R45/index.htm 
• Help pages with instructions and tutorials for using Scopus: https://service-elsevier-com.myaccess.library.utoronto.ca/app/answers/detail/a_id/11213/supporthub/scopus/
• Help pages for searching in PubMed: https://www-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov.myaccess.library.utoronto.ca/books/NBK3827/

• WolframAlpha - Computational Knowledge Engine (You have to try it, trust me!)
• NIST Chemistry WebBook - Thermochemical, thermophysical, and ion energetics data.
• SDBS - Spectral database for organic compounds.​

• Dictionary of Substances and Their Effects
• IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology (Gold Book)

• Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology

• ChemDraw -A full chemical drawing package with 1H and 13C NMR and physical properties prediction.
• Chem4Word - an add-on for Microsoft Word that makes it easier to include labels, formulas, and chemical images in documents.
• Chemistry Dictionary - free downloadable chemistry dictionary for Microsoft Word

Health and Safety​

• Materials Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
• Toxicology Data Network (TOXNET)
• UofT Environmental Health & Safety (EHS)
• Millipore Sigma

Chemical Properties

• CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics
• Merck Index
• Yaws' Handbook of Properties of the Chemical Elements
• Purification of Laboratory Chemicals (7th Edition)

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