Chemical Forums
Chemistry Forums for Students => Organic Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: Messi on November 13, 2012, 10:28:01 PM
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Hi guys,
Just wondering how you academics search for reactions? Do you use Sci-Finder? I tried using their "Explore Reactions" tool, but it doesn't seem too useful..
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Try Beilstein which is now Reaxys.
Also try general searches on ISI Web of Science.
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It might have to do with how you are visualizing your search. I've been fairly happy with SciFinder. What problems did you encounter?
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We used Beilstein when I was in industry. I now use Scifinder.
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It might have to do with how you are visualizing your search. I've been fairly happy with SciFinder. What problems did you encounter?
I am simply not finding what I am looking for. I am simply looking for a 1-alkyne reacting with a primary amine and sulfur. Any amine, and any 1-alkyne! I can't seem to find anything relevant.. How can I search for just a 1-alkyne and not a specific alkyne. Or how can I search for a primary amine, not a specific primary amine.
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As far as I remember from SciFinder you can do substructure searches and define substructures within a reaction. In their drawing window there is a button which lets you define R groups up to 3 different categories per R group. You can also place Q atoms and A atoms within the structure you are looking for.
Substructure searching is quite difficult and you need a fair amount of practice as you are liable to get a lot of unwanted hits out if you make your definitions too broad.
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The easiest way I've found to search for 1-alkynes or primary amines, or anything along those lines, is to specify hydrogens. If you draw a bond to hydrogen from the end of your triple bond, or bonds to two hydrogens from your nitrogen, it will look specifically for those limited structures.
I believe there is also a way to pick specific atoms as reactive centers, meaning they need to change during the reaction, but I've usually found it easier to do a second search with the unchanged structure on the product side, and subtract those results from the first list.
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Awesome suggestions. I'll give it a try when I am on campus!
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I find Reaxys much more intuitive and user friendly, I use it on a daily basis.
Scifinder is a more extensive database, but takes a bit more learning to get the hang of. I only use it if I need a very thorough literature search.
If your uni has Scifinder it probably has Reaxys - I think Reaxys is substantially cheaper.
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I second reaccs. We had it in industry and I really liked it. SciFinder is less discriminatory and therefore more difficult to find a gem. I often browsed through large hit lists to find the novel reaction.
I was using SciFinder to exploit other advantages than reaction or reaction conditions.