Chemistry @ UTSC

Welcome

If you can't find the information that you need please contact your Liaison Librarian Sarah Forbes (contact info on the left).

Winter 2021 Course Guides

CHMA10 Web of Science Research Basics
by Sarah Forbes Last Updated Jul 13, 2021 1875 views this year
CHMA11 Web of Science Research Basics
by Sarah Forbes Last Updated May 6, 2021 3265 views this year
PSCB90 Physical Sciences Research Experience
by Sarah Forbes Last Updated Jul 5, 2021 304 views this year

The new LibrarySearch

The University of Toronto Libraries search system has undergone a massive upgrade. The new LibrarySearch, launched February 2021, surpasses our previous system of 18 years duration in its ability to search for and access both electronic and print resources.

Discovering and getting to our highly-rated and diverse collection of books, e-books, journal articles, primary sources, and more – the information you need for your research and learning – has been improved in multiple ways.

What else is changing?

New Library Services Platform (LSP): Our new LSP provides the behind-the-scenes foundation for the new LibrarySearch. It is a modernized system for improved management of library materials and user information.

Library homepage: The homepage is where people can start their search, so changes have been made to enable this new search system.

Better for everyone: Improved services to faculty and students since the new system makes behind-the-scenes work more efficient and consistent. It also allows library staff to better share their expertise across the library system.

Help for users: Library staff can help you become better acquainted with the search interface. We have updated our FAQs. As always, our usual help avenues are standing by.

NOTE: Access to popular databases, databases by title, and databases by Subjects A – Z will remain the same. You may find that some links in this library guide may require revising - thanks in advance for your patience as we work to update these links.

Questions?

Have a look at this collection of FAQs on how to use the new system, as well as this detailed LibrarySearch Tips research guide.

Please contact us at libraryhelp@utoronto.ca if you have additional questions.

Key resources

Find Articles

Web of Science: Core Collection

Scopus
Scopus is the largest abstract and citation database of peer-reviewed literature that is multidisciplinary for the life sciences, health sciences, physical sciences, social sciences, and arts and humanities.
Reaxys
Chemistry database that can be used to search information on the properties of different chemicals and their reactions.
SciFinder
SciFinder Scholar provides accurate and comprehensive information related to chemistry. Sources of information include journals, patents, technical reports, books, conference proceedings, and dissertations.
ChemRxiv
ChemRxiv or 'chem-archive' is a free submission, distribution and archive service for unpublished preprints in chemistry and related areas. Find current to the field and relevant sources here.
Other Chemistry Databases
UTSC Library listing of databases, encyclopedias, handbooks, and guides for the subject chemistry.
Additional article databases - Chemistry

Find Books

LibrarySearch Main Page

Use LibrarySearch to find print and online books, articles, journals, videos, and more!

Online Reference Materials

Knovel
Knovel provides leading science and engineering books and databases embedded with productivity tools in one online service.
Gale Encyclopedia of Science, 4th Edition
Covers all major areas of science, engineering, technology, as well as mathematics and the medical and health sciences, while providing a comprehensive overview of current scientific knowledge and technology. Entries typically describe scientific concepts, provide overviews of scientific areas and, in some cases, define terms.
Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia
A Definitive Scientific Reference -- from Astrochemistry to Zoology
Dictionaries of Chemistry (7th Ed)
Contains over 4,700 definitions for words and terminology from chemistry and related subjects. Intended for people with all levels of chemistry knowledge.

Specialized Resources

Web Cambridge Structural Database (WebCSD)
Used to find the crystal structures and the journal articles that originally reported the structure for chemical compounds.
ChemSpider
Locates chemical information from open access and commercial databases. It gives CAS Registry Numbers, synonyms, structures, and some properties (density, boiling point, melting point) for thousands of compounds.
NIST Chemistry WebBook
Provides free access to chemical and physical property data of over 70,000 compounds. This database gives CAS Registry Numbers, synonyms, and structures and is an excellent source for finding spectral information.
Organic Syntheses
Organic Syntheses: This free resource provides detailed directions for the synthesis of organic compounds. Search all volumes of Organic Syntheses (from 1921 - today) simultaneously by keywords or structure.

Journal Name Abbreviations

CASSI (Chemical Abstracts Source Index)
Useful for finding full journal titles from abbreviations (or abbreviations for titles). Remember all journal titles in your references must use abbreviations as per ACS Style guidelines.

ACS Style

Formerly the ACS Style Guide, the new ACS Guide to Scholarly Communication was released January 2020 and offers regular updates on:

Scientific Communication,
Scientific Journals,
Data in the Google Era,
Scientific Style Conventions (includes important information on graphics, tables, and references), and
Editorial Style Conventions.

Refer to Part 4.3 for information on references.