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Chemistry & Biochemistry: Inorganic Chemistry

Subject guide for chemistry and biochemistry

Locating Books

To locate books on your topic, use the UC Library Search.. As a starting point, use a subject search on the applicable broad subject terms. For a particular chemical element use the element name. Some classes of compounds (porphyrins, fullerenes) have their own subject headings. For the most general classes of inorganic chemistry, use chemistry, inorganic or inorganic compounds; organometallic chemistry or organometallic compounds; coordination chemistry. Don't try to get too specific in a subject search - the Library of Congress subject headings do not go into great depth in chemical terminology.

If you can't find anything useful with a subject search, try a keyword search on your terms. Keyword searching searches both book titles and subject headings, and, for recent works, may also search chapter titles. If you find a relevant record, check its subject headings to see if there is alternative terminology you should try. Browsing a call number range can also be helpful: Classic inorganic chemistry is found in QD 146-197; organometallic chemistry in QD 410-412.5 and physical inorganic chemistry at QD 475.

General Reference Works

"Comprehensive" Chemistry Series
These sets from Pergamon Press/Elsevier contain excellent review articles on various aspects of their respective subjects, and make good starting points for new research. The oldest of these, Comprehensive Inorganic Chemistry, is becoming somewhat dated, but is still useful. Each set is organized into volumes on broad subject areas; it's best to consult the subject indexes to locate your topic. Most of the sets also have an excellent molecular formula index.

 

Physical Properties

Spectra: For Spectra sources, see the appropriate section of the General Chemistry guide. Note that spectra for inorganic and organometallic compounds are much less commonly available than for organic compounds.

Synthetic Methods

Locating Articles