Science of Synthesis

From the publisher: " Science of Synthesis Houben-Weyl Methods of Molecular Transformations is the entirely new edition of the reference series, Houben-Weyl. This new edition is published in English and is available in both print (at the Chemistry Library) and electronic formats. More information on the content of the volumes and database is available at http://www.science-of-synthesis.com/thieme-chemistry/sos/info/print/sos/volumes/index.shtml

Clear and systematic, Science of Synthesis provides practical solutions and offers a route through the mass of information available in the primary literature. This one-stop reference tool is:

• Comprehensive: Contains synthetic models selected by world-renowned experts, with full experimental procedures and background information.
• Reliable: The international editorial board, is made up of distinguished chemists with unparalleled experience and competence.
• Logical and easy-to-navigate: Information is organized in a hierarchical system based on the compound or functional group to be synthesized.
• Authoritative: Critically evaluates the preparative applicability and significance of the synthetic methods.
• Wide-ranging: Considers methods from journals, books, and patent literature from the early 1800s up to the present day and presents important synthetic methods for all classes of compounds."

Access

The database is accessed directly from the Science of Synthesis homepage:

·      From the Science of Synthesis homepage select Login to access the start page.

·       U of T's IP range has been registered providing direct access to this resource but if off-campus, you will be prompted for your barcode and pin.

·       Before attempting to use the database you must either disable pop-up blocking or "allow" certain URLs to pop up (some browsers will ask you if you want to allow the pop-up - say YES!) Use the instructions in the next section to fix this on your machine.

·       Click on the text “[Click here to start]” to begin your session in the database: Science of Synthesis will launch in a pop-up window.

·       There are no concurrent-user restrictions – ie. there may be an unlimited number of simultaneous users.

·       There are a number of guides, worked examples and problem sets to help you use the database effectively.  

Getting started

Refer to the System Requirements link at the foot of the Science of Synthesis start page for technical specifications and an example of how to disable pop-up blockers.

One method for establishing the appropriate pop-up blocker settings in IE 6.0 is as follows:

1. In Internet Explorer, select Tools
2. Select Internet Options
3. Select Security
4. Select Trusted sites
5. Click on Sites to open the list of websites that have been entered as 'trusted'
6. Uncheck the box “ Require server verification (https:) for all sites in this zone ”
7. Add the URLs: www.thieme-chemistry.com and www.science-of-synthesis.com

Please also see the Getting Started Manual which can be accessed from the “Help” button in the Science of Synthesis toolbar, as well as via a link at the bottom of the start page.

NB: your browser must be Java enabled in order to use the built in Java applet structure editor.

If you have any problems using the database, please contact Patricia Meindl, Chemistry Librarian: pmeindl@chem.utoronto.ca