Finding synthesis methods in SciFinder Scholar

From WolfWikis

There are a few different ways to go about finding synthesis references in SciFinder Scholar.

Notes on database access: SciFinder Scholar software can be downloaded from the Libraries’ web site, but access to the database is restricted to NC State University IP addresses (i.e., it must be used on campus). SciFinder Scholar is also available on most computers in the Libraries (including all PCs in the Learning Commons). Ask at the reference desk for assistance.

Method One: find the chemical first

From start (or New Task), click Locate. (Or click Explore to draw a structure and search that way.)

• Select Locate Substances
• Enter search terms and click OK
  • CAS number is most concise and uniquely identifies a substance
  • Common names or other identifiers usually work, but CAS number is recommended

When looking at your results, chemicals will present the following buttons (if information is available for that chemical).

• Click the |A>B| button (reactions) and select Product as the reaction role. You will see reactions in which your chemical is a product - i.e., synthesis methods
  • You can see from the reactions how your chemical might be produced, but check the abstract (microscope icon, or click on the citation) to be sure it's clear.

If you don't see any results, try Method Two below.

Working with results

Results from a reaction search in SciFinder Scholar

What are we looking at? SciFinder is presenting us with a list of articles that match our search: in this case, articles which contain reaction information in which our selected chemical was a product. SciFinder also diagrams the reaction of interest with any reactants, reagents, catalysts, steps, solvents, and stages.

• Tip: may be helpful to go to View--reverse order and view the oldest first. For some applications, (such as the CH223L literature search assignment), older articles may be easier to use and describe the method in a more straightforward manner. (Obviously the older the method, the greater chance the synthesis has been superceded by newer methods--whether this is OK depends on your research need.)

A caveat: these *MIGHT* match our search. The actual methodology used might not be clear for one specific chemical. The synthesis method may only be implied, speaking for a more general class of chemicals. Depending on the nature of your research, this could be fine or you may want to look for alternatives. (SciFinder also has some historical indexing problems ^[1] that still lead to difficulty!)

• Tip: not every paper you find is going to have a clear, direct method of synthesis, despite what you see in the search results. One way to better ensure relevance is to check the indexing before tracking down the full text. Click the microscope or paper citation to open a new SciFinder window with details on the reference. You will see bibliographic information (title, authors, etc.) an abstract, and indexing terms. You want to make sure the chemical you're researching is listed in the indexing, annotated by "Role: SPN (Synthetic preparation); PREP (Preparation) (prepn. of)"--or something similar--to indicate it is synthesized.

Look for your chemical's CAS number. If you don't see it, or it's not indexed as preparation, the article may not, in fact, directly discuss a synthesis method of your chemical. It may discuss a more general method of synthesis, or discuss a related chemical, or be an altogether false hit. Checking the indexing before taking the time to read the paper can save you some trouble here.

• Use Microscope icon for details, including abstracts.
• Click the paper icon (may be visible after clicking microscope or article citation) to link to full text. You will be able to get to it if (1) the Libraries subscribe to the journal, and (2) full text is online. This will be true for most (but NOT ALL) chemistry research, regardless of the age of the article. If you don't find it, note the paper citation (or save it as described on the SciFinder Scholar page) and look for it manually.

Method Two: literature search

Literature searching is a more direct but less exact method in most cases. Search time can be reduced and simplified, but you may have to wade through a lot of false hits. Follow the SciFinder Scholar literature searching procedure, as follows:

From start (or New Task), click Explore. Select Research Topic.

• Construct your search to include either "synthesis" or "preparation" as a term. (You might try both searches.) For example:
  • synthesis of caffeine
  • preparation of caffeine

To improve results:

• Use Filters prior to search - limit references to those associated with Preparation
• Use Analyze/Refine button following search

• Use Microscope icon for details, including abstracts.
• Click the paper icon (may be visible after clicking microscope or article citation) to link to full text. You will be able to get to it if (1) the Libraries subscribe to the journal, and (2) full text is online. This will be true for most (but NOT ALL) chemistry research, regardless of the age of the article. If you don't find it, note the paper citation (or save it as described on the SciFinder Scholar page) and look for it manually.

Notes

1. ↑ Summary of historical indexing problems