Chemistry & Biochemistry: Journal Articles / Patents / Proceedings

Databases for Journal Articles and Patents

These are the key databases that index the chemistry and biochemistry literature--journal articles and (depending on the database) conference papers and patents. The articles are either full text within the database or easily accessible through a link in the record, and if not, you should also see a button to get a link to the article via UC Library Search, or to request the article through interlibrary loan. You can also use UC Library Search to find articles (limit results to peer-reviewed journals).

If you are searching for chemical substances (including properties) and/or reactions, you may want to search both SciFinder and Reaxys.

SciFinder
One of the most comprehensive indexes to the chemical literature and related science and engineering disciplines. Search millions of articles, patents, and conference proceedings and abstracts; millions of chemical substances via the CAS Registry (including many with property data and spectra); millions more of single- and multi-step reactions and preparations via CAS Reactions; and thousands of chemical supplier catalogs. Search by topic, author, chemical substance by name, registry number, or structures. From the substance record, browse the available property data, explore relevant reactions, or look for commercial suppliers. Every reaction and property data point includes a reference back to the original article or patent, or another chemical provider. Import structures from ChemDraw to run a structure/substructure or reaction search, or use the built-in editor to draw your structures or generate them with a CAS Registry Number. First-time users will need to register (VPN required if off-campus).
Web of Science
Great database to start searching on any science or engineering subject. Indexes over 18,000 journals in all subjects (coverage back to 1900 for science and social science journals), as well as 80,000 books and more than 180K conference proceedings. Includes the popular "cited reference search" to identify papers that have cited a previously published work or author. Can also sort by "times cited" and find related articles based on commonly cited works.
Reaxys
Another extensive chemical literature database, indexing millions of article and patent references, millions of substances (including extensive data on physical properties), and millions of single- and multi-step chemical reactions and preparations. Search by topic, author, and chemical substances by name, CAS registry number, structures, or properties (using the query builder). From the substance record, explore relevant reactions, browse the available property data, or look for commercial suppliers. Every reaction and property data point includes a reference back to the original article or patent. Import structures from ChemDraw to run a structure/substructure or reaction search, or use the built-in editor to draw your structures or generate them from a name or CAS Registry Number.
PubMed
Comprises more than 38 million article references from 5,000+ journals in the biomedical and health sciences (plus articles deposited in PubMed Central) from the late 1940s to present, with some older selective coverage. Covers health topics in chemistry, physics, engineering, environmental sciences, and the social sciences. Search by topic, author, or the MeSH (medical subject headings) controlled vocabulary. PubMed uses "automatic term mapping" so your search terms are mapped to the MeSH terms used to index the articles, giving you more results. Depending on your topic, you may want to search Embase as well.
Google Scholar
Search for scholarly publications across disciplines & sources: articles, theses/dissertations, books, and more, It searches on the full text of the articles so it can be helpful if you want to search for terms that wouldn't necessarily appear in the title, abstract, or keywords for the article. If you're off campus, you'll want to use VPN or OpenAthens to access the articles and other content licensed by UC San Diego Library.
- Short video on using the Advanced Search in Google Scholar.
MarinLit
Database for searching the marine natural chemistry literature, with features not available in other chemistry or marine science databases. Along with searching by bibliographic information, taxonomy, location, chemical structure, and physical property data, you can also dereplicate results by substructure, exact mass, molecular formula, NMR and UV data, and taxonomy.
Compendex
Indexes 20+ million journal and trade magazine articles, conference papers, standards, books, and other materials in all engineering disciplines. Core database for mechanical, aerospace, civil, structural, chemical, and environmental engineering, as well as materials science and nanotechnology. ****You can now cross search with Inspec for a more comprehensive search of the engineering literature; duplicate references can be removed.
Materials Science & Engineering Database
Database for materials science and engineering research, indexing journals, trade magazines, and grey literature in metals, polymers, ceramics, composites, and biomaterials. Includes Earthquake Engineering Abstracts, Engineered Materials Abstracts, METADEX, Corrosion Abstracts, and Ceramic Abstracts. Includes full text access to more than 1,300+ journals and magazines.