To locate books on your topic, use the UC Library Search. As a starting point, use a keyword search on the likely terms. You are unlikely to find references to a single compound, but may be able to find useful books on classes of compounds, such as esters, carboxylic acids, or polymers. For the most general case, use organic compounds. For synthesis information, combine the compound class term with synthesis. For properties, use the specific property name (e.g. solubility, spectra, toxicology.) For collections of data, use handbooks or tables. Examples: amines synthesis, organophosphorus toxicology, organic compounds handbooks
If nothing comes up, try a broader class term, or try your class term without a qualifier. When you find a relevant record, check its subject headings to see if there is alternative terminology you should try. Similarly, use keyword searches to find books on particular methods or reactions (e.g., addition reactions, ring formation). You may also want to browse in the book stacks.
"Comprehensive Chemistry" series
These sets from Pergamon Press contain excellent review articles on various aspects of their respective subjects, and make good starting points for new research. The oldest of these, Comprehensive Organic 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.
Electronic collection of several major reference works for chemistry and related sciences from Chapman and Hall/CRC Press. Fully sub-structure searchable. Note: Structure searching requires a free browser plug-in, which may not yet be installed on UCSB Library workstations. The Handbook of Chemistry & Physics and Polymers, A Property Database are fully searchable and offer the ability to produce tables customized to the user's preferences.
Titles include:
Electronic collection of several major reference works for chemistry and related sciences from Chapman and Hall/CRC Press. Fully sub-structure searchable. Note: Structure searching requires a free browser plug-in, which may not yet be installed on UCSB Library workstations. The Handbook of Chemistry & Physics and Polymers, A Property Database are fully searchable and offer the ability to produce tables customized to the user's preferences.
Titles include:
Spectra: For Spectra sources, see the appropriate section of the General Chemistry guide.
For sample problems in organic compound characterization, try these site:
Organic Structure Elucidation (http://www.nd.edu/~smithgrp/structure/workbook.html)
This site from Notre Dame has 64 problems of varying levels of difficulty
Provides current information in natural product chemistry, providing quick access to recent significant advances in the subject. Covers new natural products, known compounds from new sources, isolation studies, structural determinations, new properties and activities, biosynthesis and biological activities. Contains structure diagrams, together with trivial and taxonomic names, molecular formulae, physical properties, and spectral data.