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Finding Information on Chemical Reactions and Reagents: Resources that Give Properties and Functions of Reagents

This guide introduces users to electronic resources that perform reaction searches, and give properties and functions of reagents, contain purification procedures for organic reagents, as well as introducing annual series dealing with organic synthesis.

Encyclopedia of Reagents for Organic Synthesis

Format
Print
Online

Location
Print: Chemistry Library Reference Cabinet QD77 .E53 2009
Online: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/book/10.1002/047084289X

Organization
Alphabetically, by name of reagent

Description
The header of each entry has some physical properties of the reagent, including methods of purification and synthesis (when available), hazards, molecular weight, CAS RN, etc. Print has indices of formulae, compound name, and registry number. Online is easily browsable through an alphabetical index and can be searched by keyword, structure, substructure, reaction, formula, and name. You can search for the reaction you wish to effect and retrieve entries for reagents that perform this reaction. In addition, the entries tell under which circumstances a particular reagent will NOT work.

Handbook of Reagents for Organic Synthesis

Format
Print

Location
Print: Chemistry Library Reference Stacks QD77 .H37 1999

Organization
Volumes

  1. Reagents, Auxiliaries, and Catalysts for C-C Bond Formation
  2. Oxidizing and Reducing Agents
  3. Acidic and Basic Reagents
  4. Activating Agents and Protecting Groups
  5. Chiral Reagents for Asymmetric Synthesis
  6. Reagents for direct functionalization of C-H bonds
  7. Catalyst components for coupling reactions

Within a volume, reagents are organized alphabetically.

 

Description
The data for this set comes from Paquettes Encyclopedia of Reagents. However, the reagents selected are sorted by their function. Volumes are organized alphabetically, but the reagents included are listed at the front of each volume under classes of reaction in which they participate. This is a good source to select if you have a particular type of transformation you wish to perform and wish to select an appropriate reagent because it is easier to compare the properties of the compounds than it is when using Paquette.

Fieser's Reagents for Organic Synthesis

Format
Print
Online: http://hdl.library.upenn.edu/1017/28270

Location
Print: Chemistry Library Books QD262 .F5

Organization
Reagents are listed alphabetically by name.

Description
This work is slightly older than the Paquette work, but new volumes are constantly being added. It is an excellent alternative to the Encyclopedia of Reagents, and using the two in conjunction assures you a fairly comprehensive view of particular reagents. Since new developments and uses of existing reagents are published in succeeding volumes, it is important to use the index volumes to make sure that you are getting all possible information about each substance of interest. Index volumes are interspersed with the other parts of the work.

Compendium of Chiral Auxiliary Applications

Format
Print

Location
Print: Chemistry Library Reference Stacks QD262 .R66 2002

Organization

  1. Alkylation and Related Reactions
  2. Addition to C=C Bonds
    Addition Reactions to C=N Bonds
  3. Addition Reactions to C=O Bonds
    Cycloadditions
    Rearrangements
    Miscellaneous Reactions

Also contains two supplemental volumes

Greene's Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis

Format
Print

Location
Print: Chemistry Reserve QD262 .G665 2007

Organization
Protecting groups are grouped under the functional group that they protect.

Description
This work is currently in its fourth edition. Previous editions live in the Chemistry Library Books stacks. Each chapter begins with general information about ways in which to protect a particular functional group and then moves into specific methods, complete with literature references, caveats, and some experimental procedures and yields. The fact that the methods of protecting that group are all listed together helps one to select the most effective method for a particular system.

Protecting Groups

Format
Print

Location
Print: Chemistry Reserve QD262 .K59 2005

Also available online

Organization
Protecting groups are grouped under the functional group that they protect.

Description
This classic work by Philip J. Kocienski is currently in its third edition, and previous editions live in the Chemistry Library Books stacks. Like the Greene book, each chapter begins with general information about ways in which to protect a particular functional group and then moves into specific methods of protection. It is a bit more narrative than Protective Groups; some researchers prefer one or the other volume, and others will use them together or interchangeably. As with Greene, the fact that the methods of protecting that group are all listed together helps one to select the most effective method for a particular system.

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