CHE 355 Chemical Information Quiz Review

Types of Literature:

• Primary Literature: These are original research articles that report new findings, methodologies, or discoveries in scientific studies. They constitute the foundational building blocks of scientific knowledge and are typically subject to peer review before publication. Notable examples include journals such as the Journal of the American Chemical Society (J.Am.Chem.Soc.), Journal of Organic Chemistry (JOC), and others. Authors detail their experiments, full methodology, results, and discussions to contribute to the scientific community.

• Secondary Literature: This encompasses reviews, summaries, and analyses of primary literature, offering synthesized perspectives or overviews of specific topics. Secondary literature helps contextualize primary research findings and may also identify trends, highlight gaps in research, or propose future research directions. Some journals blend these types, allowing for a deeper examination of specific realms of study.

• Tertiary Literature: These are compilations of primary and secondary literature. They serve as reference works and educational resources, such as encyclopedias, textbooks, and monographs. They often distill complex research into more digestible formats, making them accessible for education and quick reference.

Key Journals in Chemistry:

• General & Interdisciplinary:

  • Nature: A prestigious multidisciplinary journal that publishes cutting-edge research across all scientific disciplines.

  • Science: Another leading journal that covers a wide array of research topics and aims to inform and engage a global audience.

  • Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS): Publishes research across various fields of science, often emphasizing multidisciplinary approaches.

• Organic Chemistry:

  • Journal of Organic Chemistry (JOC): Focuses specifically on research articles in the field of organic chemistry.

  • Angewandte Chemie (ACIEE): A prominent journal that publishes articles in organic chemistry while encouraging interdisciplinary research connections.

  • Organic Letters: Dedicated to rapid communication of significant findings in organic chemistry.

• Biochemistry:

  • Biochemistry: Publishes research pertaining to the molecular mechanism and structure of biological macromolecules.

  • Journal of Biological Chemistry (JBC): Features research on the biochemical basis of cell metabolism, a hallmark of biochemistry studies.

• Medicinal Chemistry:

  • Journal of Medicinal Chemistry: Concentrates on the design and development of pharmaceutical agents.

• Analytical Chemistry:

  • Analytical Chemistry: Publishes techniques and advances in the field of analytical methodologies.

  • Journal of Chromatography: Focuses on the development and application of chromatography as a technique for separating and analyzing mixtures.

• Physical Chemistry:

  • Journal of Physical Chemistry: Discusses research on the physical properties of molecules and the effects of chemical reactions.

• Inorganic Chemistry:

  • Inorganic Chemistry: Publishes research on all aspects of inorganic chemistry, including coordination chemistry, organometallics, and catalysis.

• Education:

  • Journal of Chemical Education: Addresses the chemistry education community through articles on new techniques and learning strategies in the field of chemistry.

• Environmental Chemistry:

  • Environmental Science and Technology: Focuses on research involving chemical processes in the environment and their impacts.

Searching and Databases:
Key Databases in Chemistry:

• SciFinder: A comprehensive research tool that provides multifaceted search methodologies, including chemical structure search and topic search, connecting researchers with a vast amount of chemical literature.

  • Pros: Provides extensive coverage of scientific literature and is user-friendly for researchers seeking specific compounds or topics.

  • Cons: Access requires a subscription, which can limit availability for some users.

• Beilstein: This mainstay database is focused on organic chemistry and contains a wealth of information pertaining to organic compounds.

• PubMed: Primarily focused on the biomedical and life sciences literature, it provides a wealth of information for researchers working at the intersection of chemistry and biology.

• Google Scholar: Offers broad coverage across various disciplines, providing a freely accessible way to find scholarly articles. However, it might lack the filtering options of specialized databases.

• Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS): This database covers a comprehensive range of chemical literature and assigns unique CAS registry numbers to chemical substances, facilitating easier reference and identification.

  • Literature coverage started in 1907, providing a historical perspective on chemical research development.

  • Accessible via the ACS website (www.acs.org).

Secondary Literature Resources:
Essential dictionaries and encyclopedias offer valuable chemical properties and contextual information. Familiarity with widely used reference sources can greatly enhance understanding and literature comprehension. Recognize those used for recent homework assignments, as they directly relate to literature concerning chemical properties and applications.

Author and Citation Searches:
Comparing SciFinder and Web of Science:

• SciFinder excels in facilitating chemical literature searches and compound identification, often preferred for in-depth chemical research.

• Web of Science offers robust tools for tracking citations and analyzing the impact of scientific articles over time, making it valuable for understanding research influence.

Searching for Chemical Properties and Syntheses:
Understanding German Chemical Literature entails familiarity with simplified names for databases, especially prior to Chemical Abstracts, crucial for locating information on organic and inorganic compounds.
Other Notable Databases:

• NIST website: Provides trustworthy chemical data and reference materials critical to research and development.

• Spectra databases: Include SDBS (Spectra Database System), NIST Chemical Web Book, which compile spectra data for various substances useful for analytical chemistry.

• Organic Syntheses: An important resource that provides peer-reviewed protocols for organic syntheses, ensuring high-quality experimental techniques are shared among chemists.

Patent Searching:
Patent Information Sources:
Researchers can find patent information on websites such as Google Patents and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) portal, enabling exploration of existing inventions.
Patentability Criteria:

• Novelty: The invention must be new, meaning it has not been previously disclosed to the public.

• Non-obviousness: The invention should not be obvious to individuals who possess ordinary skills in the relevant field.

• Utility: The invention must have a practical use or application.

• Patent Lifetime: Typically lasts for 20 years from the date of filing, after which the patented material enters the public domain.

• First U.S. Patent: Recognition of the first patent issued is essential in understanding the historical context and evolution of patent law.

• Content of Patents: Essential patent sections include the abstract (offering a summary), claims (defining the scope of the patent), and a detailed description (fully explaining the invention).