Strategies and Tactics for Searchers

Along with specific tools, there are strategies and tactics of using the chemical literature which you should try to convey.

Tactics

• Hill system for molecular formulas
  • Used in most molecular formula indexes.
  • When carbon present: carbon first, then hydrogen, then everything else alphabeticaly.
    C2H6O, C10H10Fe
  • No carbon: all elements in alphabetical order
    H2O4S, Cl3Fe
  • Hill formulas are then arranged alphanumerically.
    AlCl3 before CH3Cl before CH4 before CO2 before C2H2 before ZnCl2
• Nomenclature
  • Teaching basic chemical nomenclature is not your job; teaching where to find different names for compounds is.
  • Synonym indexs
  • Permuted names
  • Common names vs. IUPAC vs. CAS

Strategies

• Start with the easiest tools and work up. If you can find the boiling point you need in the CRC Handbook, why use printed Beilstein? If you can find a synthesis in Organic Syntheses, why look in Chemical Abstracts? (In some cases there are good reasons...but often not!)
• Find the keys which will unlock other tools. What are the easy sources for finding the CAS Registry Numbers for desired compounds? Where are the good synonym indexes? Where are the key review articles?
• Pearl growing or the iterative approach. Start with what you know and the easy sources; if you can find something good, then build on it. Search the key terminology, authors in that "good paper". Look up the bibliography and build on it. Do citation searches on the "good paper".
• Don't forget the most important tool, the ultimate resource - you, the information professional! Help them to help you help them.