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This article is from the Chemistry FAQ, by Bruce Hamilton B.Hamilton@irl.cri.nz with numerous contributions by others.

9.5 What reference texts should I search first? (Chemistry)

If you require basic physical information about a chemical then many
chemical suppliers catalogues also include common properties - such as
boiling point, melting point, density, and flash point. Aldrich, Merck,
and Lancaster provide information on organic chemicals, and Sigma covers
biochemicals. Chemical catalogues also often provide cross references to the
Chemical Abstracts Registry Numbers, the Merck Index, spectral libraries,
safety, and preparation information. The actual product purity may limit the
accuracy of the data, and more accurate information could be available
in the Rubber Handbook or Merck Index. As catalogues are usually free on
request ( Aldrich catalogue is also available on disk as a searchable
database for $25 ), they are an excellent initial information source that
will often direct you to appropriate reference texts. You may be able to
acquire an older edition by asking your chemistry teacher or chemical
storeroom supervisor.

Depending on the type of chemical information required, some specialist
reference texts may be required, but there are several texts that are common
to most fields of chemistry. These are usually found in the reference
section of most public and technical libraries and, because they are often
heavily discounted for students, many chemists have copies of several of
them. If your library does not have them, ask some of your teachers for
access to their personal copy.

Many of these texts are now also available on CD-ROM, usually at a slightly
lower cost than the hardcopy, however the Merck Index is an exception where
the CD-ROM version costs significantly more than the hardcopy. The Merck
Index is an excellent starting point for information on organic chemicals
used in the agricultural, biochemical, chemical, and pharmaceutical
industries. It is usually available, along with the Rubber Handbook, in the
reference section of libraries. Don't expect a $7,000 encyclopedia set like
Kirk Othmer to be freely available over the Internet, or available on
CD-ROM for $100 :-). I have also marked those that are commercially
available through online services with an asterisk.

For more detailed aspects of individual compounds, common texts include:-

CRC Handbook of Chemistry & Physics ( aka Rubber Handbook ) [7]
- tabulations of diverse chemical and physical properties.
- start here for physical data with minimal description.
The Merck Index * [8]
- brief monographs on most common organic chemicals, especially those
used in the chemical, biochemical, and pharmaceutical industries.
- excellent source for physical and physiological properties, common
names, and CAS RN.
- monographs point to more descriptive sources.
- available on CD-ROM, but the hardcopy version is much cheaper.
Lange's Handbook of Chemistry [9]
- tabulations of chemical properties.
Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary [10]
- very brief monographs on a wide range of common industrial chemicals.
- very good starting point to ascertain physical properties of both
inorganic and organic chemicals used in commerce.
- Available on CD-ROM
Tables of Physical and Chemical Constants ( aka Kaye and Laby ) [11]
- tabulations of constants, often not in the Rubber Handbook
The Chemical Technicians' Ready Reference Handbook [12]
- tabulations of various common chemicals and materials.
The Matheson Gas Data Book [13]
- tabulations of properties of a diverse range of gases

There are several good general "science" texts that provide basic coverage
of aspects of chemistry, eg the concise version of the McGraw Hill
Encyclopedia of Science and Technology [14] or Van Nostrand's Scientific
Encyclopedia [15]. There are also several single volume chemistry books
that provide brief monographs covering diverse aspects of chemistry, such as
the McGraw Hill Encyclopedia of Chemistry [16]. These texts are often found
in the reference sections of general libraries.

The next source is usually the encyclopedia sets that are also found in the
reference section of general libraries. There are some general ones that
cover all fields of science, and often have annual updates. An example is
the 20 volume McGraw Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology, available
in hardcopy or CD-ROM versions [17].

For more detailed, but still with general coverage, there are at least two
popular large multi-volume chemistry encyclopedias. One, or both, of these
is usually found in the reference sections of technical and large public
libraries. These have become the standard first point of reference for
information on properties, production, and applications of industrial
chemicals.

Kirk Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology - 4th edition * [18]
- excellent 27 volume set
- extensive monographs on chemical families and processes.
- start here if you wish to obtain up-to-date, easy-to-read, comprehensive
technical information on an amazingly diverse range of chemistry.
( available in hardcopy ($324/volume, around $7,000/set), online, on
CD-ROM, and as a greatly-abridged concise volume (3rd Edition = $110)

Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry - 5th edition [19]
- excellent translation from the original German edition.
- extensive monographs on common industrial processes
- the style is different to Kirk Othmer in that information is not so well
integrated into the monograph, but often contains more hard information
and good reviews of specific topics.
( In 1997 the fifth edition was made available on CD-ROM, with the sixth
edition was started in 1998, with each CD holding the equivalent of
three printed volumes. The full book/CD-ROM sixth edition will cost
around $14,000 )

There are also the very large multi-volume sets of specialised chemical
information that are mainly only found in institutions that have a strong
chemistry or chemical engineering component, such as:

Beilstein * [20]
- provides detailed monographs of most organic chemicals, covering
preparation, properties and structure.
Gmelin [21]
- provides detailed information on most elements and inorganic chemicals
Heilbron * [22]
- provides short monographs of many organic compounds, mainly listing
properties and references to preparations. An excellent way to
quickly find information on chemicals.
McKetta - Encyclopedia of Chemical Processing and Design [23]
- extensive monographs containing technical data on chemical processes.
Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Engineering - 2nd edition * [24]
( available in hardcopy, online, and in a greatly-abridged concise volume )
- detailed monographs on common polymers and processes
Thorpe's Dictionary of Applied Chemistry [25]
- getting old, but *still* contains lots of excellent information on the
properties and industrial applications of chemicals
- is very useful for historical information on how a product developed.

For more specialised references, refer to the appropriate section of this
FAQ, however I will list a few texts covering general laboratory techniques
not mentioned elsewhere. If your local bookshop does not carry specialist
technical books, many are also available from appropriate chemical and
equipment suppliers, such as Aldrich-Sigma and Supelco.
Vacuum = High Vacuum Techniques for Chemical Syntheses and Measurements [26].
= High Vacuum Techniques [27]
Pipework = Swagelok Tube Fitting and Installation Manual [28]
Thermocouples = Thermocouples: Theory and Practice [29]
( The Omega catalogues are also a good source of practical information
on a wide range of temperature, flow and pressure sensors )
Many of the laboratory safety texts also include sections on design and
management of laboratories.

 

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• prev: 9.4 Where can I purchase laboratory equipment? (Chemistry)
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• next: 9.6 Where can I find physical and spectral properties of chemicals?

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