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Research Guides

Chemistry

A guide to resources and tools for chemistry research. For information on the A.D. Allen Chemistry Library spaces and services, please visit https://chemistry.library.utoronto.ca.

About SciFinder-n

SciFinder, produced by the Chemical Abstracts Service, is the most comprehensive resource for searching the chemical literature. SciFinder-n is the new interface for SciFinder. Search substance data, chemical reactions or scientific literature (journal articles, patents and conference proceedings) by topic, keyword, citation information, substance name or CAS Registry Number, or use the structure editor to draw chemical structures, substructures or reactions.

Access and Registration

The University of Toronto community, including students, faculty, post-docs and research staff, are authorized to use SciFinder for academic purposes only. Commercial use is prohibited. First-time users must register for a SciFinder-n account before accessing. Please read all instructions below.

ChemDraw and SciFinder-n

Did you know that you can search SciFinder-n using structures that you have drawn in ChemDraw?

To start a SciFinder-n search from ChemDraw:

  1. Select the structure you want to search using the Lasso or Marquee tool.
  2. From the menu along the top of your screen, go to Add-ins > Search SciFinder-n.
  3. Select type of search you'd like to run from the Search for... drop-down menu.
  4. Click Proxy Settings and enter the following link in the box that appears:
    https://myaccess.library.utoronto.ca/login?url=https://scifinder-n.cas.org
  5. Click Search to run your search in SciFinder-n. You will  be asked to log in with your UTORid and password, and your SciFinder-n credentials. You may also receive a pop-up notification asking you to allow your browser to access ChemDraw. Click Open ChemDraw to proceed.

SciFinder-n vs. SciFinder Scholar®

In addition to the reference, substance, reaction and supplier content found in SciFinder Scholar®, SciFinder-n includes a variety of improvements, such as relevance-ranked results, citation mapping, live search history, quicker retrieval of search results, multi-tab browsing, and new ways to search.

Added features & tools include:

  • MethodsNow: Step-by-step synthetic procedures and protocols extracted from patents and journal articles.
  • PatentPak: Enhanced view and navigation of full-text patents.
  • ChemDoodle: Touch-screen enabled structure drawing tool for mobile devices and tablets.
  • Retrosynthesis Planner: Generate a full retrosynthetic analysis of all known synthetic routes for any known molecule. Organize routes into a synthesis plan, which you can save, download, and share.