| Online Briefs Archive
Janet Dodd General Chemistry
DataCHEST.com (http://www.datachest.com) provides access to the most current worldwide scientific, technical, and regulatory information for the management of chemicals and hazardous or controlled substances. The information can be easily moved and integrated into enterprise resource planning systems for compliance reporting, supply-chain management solutions, material safety data sheet management, and the global movement of chemicals. More specifically, Data- CHEST.com is a data warehouse for international electronic information such as product data, regulations and formulations, and hazardous materials and controlled substances management (April 24, 2000). The Classic Organic Reactions Page (http://home.ici.net/~hfevans/reactions.htm) contains schemes for more than 300 classic organic reactions, starting with the acetoacetic ester condensation and ending with the Zinke-Suhl reaction. Each reaction page shows the scheme and gives literature references and cross references within the website. Many also have short descriptions or abstracts (March 13, 2000). MatHub (http://www.mathub.com/) is a focal point on the Internet for those people interested in materials science modeling and informatics. It provides information, invites contributions from its users, and acts as a directory to other information on the Web. The site consists of two sections: the reference pages and a magazine. The reference pages include background information on materials modeling and materials informatics, a history of molecular modeling, explanations of the theory behind computational techniques, and information on how modeling is used in industry and education. There are also directories of links, software, and scientific references. The magazine presents opinion, comment, and current events related to computational materials science. It includes feature articles about new and interesting developments in the field, a directory of employment opportunities, puzzles with a modeling theme, a monthly poll, book reviews, website reviews, the MatHub quiz, and a molecular gallery (March 13, 2000). ScienceWise.com (http://www.sciencewise.com), the Workplace on the Web for science and engineering professionals, provides comprehensive information on published research, public and private funding sources, teaming opportunities, products, and services, and it also tailors information to each user's specialty area. It has teamed with industry leaders to provide the information and tools that science professionals need in their daily jobs. Its small-business funding and research funding databases are searchable. ScienceWise.com recently added a free alert service to deliver small-business research funding opportunities to users via e-mail (February 7, 2000). MolMall (http://www.molmall.org) allows chemists to share and exchange their rare chemical samples worldwide and to make their research samples readily available to other professionals by publishing in this searchable database. The site can be searched by full structure, substructure, submitted name, and physical and chemical characteristics. If the contributors agree, samples for academic research are free of charge, and commercial use of the samples is possible at a low price (February 7, 2000). Genamics (http://genamics.com) has links to several free searchable databases of interest to scientists. SoftwareSeek is "the largest science software directory on Earth." It has more than 1,100 titles for all major platforms, as well as programs that run directly through an Internet Browser. JournalSeek contains information such as aims and scope, journal abbreviations, impact factors, web links, ISSNs, and availability of abstracts and/or full-text online for more than 8,500 journals. Users may browse by subject or search by keyword or other criteria. GenomeSeek is a linked list of more than 100 microbial genome projects. It is searchable by domain, organism, or completion status. BookSeek contains hundreds of biology- and biochemistry-related books with links to purchase information (December 20, 1999). Selected Classic Papers from the History of Chemistry (http://maple.lemoyne. edu/~giunta/papers.html) presents papers from the history of chemistry as html files. Many are seminal papers in their fields. Some are interesting curiosities. Papers are arranged by subject or alphabetically. Subject areas include the atomic hypothesis and the discrete nature of matter; electricity, electrochemistry, and electrolyte solutions; the electron and electronic structure of matter; the elements--nature, number, and discovery; environmental chemistry; gases; the periodic table and periodic law; radioactivity and the nucleus; and thermodynamics (August 30, 1999). The ChemExper site (http://www. chemexper.com/) offers three programs.Chemical Directory allows users to find a chemical by its molecular formula, IUPAC name, common name, CAS Registry Number, catalog number, substructure, or physical characteristics. It also allows users to submit their own data. Expereact is an electronic laboratory notebook that manages all the scientific information of a research center. It creates--in a logical, private, and secure manner--a database of chemical reactions and products (including physical and analytical data). Experimental data are automatically compiled, classified, and recorded in an easily retrievable form. Experbib creates and manages an in-house customized bibliographic database. Data can be added either manually or automatically from CAS, Current Contents, and other commercial databases (August 30, 1999). Wiley Journals Online (http://www.in terscience.wiley.com) offers online access to some 300 Wiley journals. The web site features the ability to view tables of contents and article abstracts, a "persistent query" function to keep customized search parameters, and a personal home page where users can store annotated lists of favorite articles and journals (July 12, 1999). Visual Interpretation of the Table of Elements (http://www.chemsoc.org/ viselements/) offers an attractive and informative visual interpretation of the periodic table. Blending the work of artists and chemists, the site features computer-generated interpretive images, descriptions, histories, and a link to a data sheet in .pdf format for each of the 109 elements. The site also presents Periodic Landscapes, computer-generated models based on various patterns and relationships within the periodic table. Additional resources include a history of the periodic table, a selection of desktop patterns and screen savers, and a selection of models to use as electronic postcards. The site is provided by ChemSoc, the chemistry societies network (June 7,1999). Making Matter: The Atomic Structure of Materials (http://www.ill.fr/dif/3D-crystals/) offers information as well as 3-D structures of inorganic materials (such as salt) in the Inorganic Crystal Structure Database. Sections included at the site are Close Packing, Compounds, Bonding, Zeolites, Superconductors, Magnets, and Gems & Minerals. This site provides spectacular 3-D images (.gif and VRML format) of inorganic materials and is well worth the visit (May 17, 1999). Analytical Instrumentation for the Next Millennium (http://www.emsl.pnl. gov:2080/docs/ainm/homepage.html) summarizes a two-day workshop sponsored by the National Science Foundation on March 5-6, in Orlando, Fla. Participants included scientific instrument users and developers from academia, industry, and national laboratories and the key federal agencies that support R&D programs involving instrument development activities. The web site also has a section where visitors can post their own answers to questions about what the needs are and what it will take to meet them (May 17, 1999). Chemist's Art Gallery (http://www.csc.fi/lul/chem/graphics.html) provides links to more than 70 sites for chemistry-related graphics and animation. Sites include Finland's Center for Scientific Computing, whose displays include a visualization of the spreading of small droplets of chainlike molecules on surfaces, and Boston University's Scientific Computing and Visualization Group, which features videos of such subjects as molecular photodissociation and stretched liquid water. Free. Center for Scientific Computing (January 11, 1999) By combining chemical information, facilities, and services, ChemWeb.com (http://ChemWeb.com) provides all the resources needed in the daily life of a chemist. Main sections include a library of leading chemical journals; text- and structure-searchable databases containing abstracts, patents, and other chemical information; ChemDex Plus, a reviewed index of thousands of chemistry resources available on the web; a shopping mall containing details of chemistry books, software, and equipment; a job exchange; a conference diary, discussion groups; virtual lectures; and a webzine (April 26, 1999).
For students onlineStudentU.com (http://www.studentu. com) offers college students an extensive menu of free resources and a way to customize personal information online. It has a distinctive and personalized feature--free class lecture notes that are updated daily for more than 60 top colleges nationwide. StudentU.com's other free features include study guides, class message boards, book reviews, résumé and employment help, tutoring, access to financial and scholarship help, access to study forums, e-mail, calendars and address books, and chat rooms (October 11,1999). World Wide Web NMR Spectrometer (http://m110.ifas.ufl.edu/) is a site that links a powerful nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) system to the Internet, providing students and scientists with a free insider's view of real-time laboratory experiments in microbiology and cell science. NMR imaging allows scientists to measure and observe biological and chemical processes at an incredible level of detail. The site serves as a virtual gateway into the NMR laboratory; at the site, users can read about NMR, access the NMR data repository, view the current NMR experiment, or run an NMR experiment of their own (October 11,1999). Virtual Chemistry (http://neon.chem. ox.ac.uk/vrchemistry/) is a 3-D simulated laboratory for the teaching of chemistry. Students can move around the virtual lab in a web browser window and take part in experiments such as preparation of metal ions in solution, superconductors, organotransition metals, nickel(II) complexes, and simple inorganic solids. They can see the molecule of the month and take multimedia courses titled "The View from a Distant Universe," "Rates of Chemical Reactions," "Entropy--How To Measure Disorder," and "Chemical and Electrical Potential" (October 11,1999). ChemSymphony Gallery (http://www. chemsymphony.com/gallery/gallery. html) features short articles, tutorials, and interesting molecular structures displayed in 3-D. The gallery includes exhibits on newsworthy molecules such as Viagra and buckyballs, as well as drugs and biological and organic compounds. A page on geometry in organic chemistry includes models of cyclopropane, cyclobutane, cyclopentane, cyclohexane, and fused-ring systems that can be turned in 3-D space. Also included is a short article on the corkscrew-shaped organic polymer polythiophene, which can conduct electricity (October 11,1999). Periodic Table of Comic Books (http:// www.uky.edu/~holler/periodic/periodic. html) allows visitors to click on an element in the periodic table to see a listof comic pages that relate to that element. Clicking on the comic page reveals a discussion of the story and the chemistry in it. A link to WebElements is also present to provide more technical information, such as atomic weight; key data; description; physical, electronic, and nuclear properties; crystallography; method of isolation; and history. The site also offers a chronological history of chemistry in the comics, featuring comic pages from the 1930s to the present (October 11,1999). Molecules of the Month (http://www. bris.ac.uk/Depts/Chemistry/MOTM/motm.htm) presents a series of essays written by a variety of authors (from first-year students to professional science writers) that provide useful and entertaining information about particularly interesting molecules. Line and 3-D structures are shown. Information given includes history, properties, reactivity, scientific and medical applications, chemical synthesis with reactions displayed, and links to related sites (October 11,1999). Brief Review of Elementary Quantum Chemistry (http://zopyros.ccqc.uga. edu/lec_top/quantrev/quantrev.html) is a tutorial for college students divided into sections such as Motivation for Quantum Mechanics, the Schrödinger Equation, Mathematical Background, Postulates of Quantum Mechanics, Analytically Soluble Problems, Molecular Quantum Mechanics, and Solving the Electronic Eigenvalue Problem. The site also gives references (October 11,1999). Glossary of Genetic Terms (http://www.nhgri.nih.gov/DIR/VIP/Glossary/) allows users to search for terms and concepts of genetic research. The search results presented are the definition, phonetic spelling, a list of related terms with links, an audio explanation by a scientist, and information on the scientist's background. Users may also browse the glossary alphabetically. National Human Genome Research Institute (July 12, 1999) Molecular Modeling for Organic Chemistry (http://www.ch.ic.ac.uk/local/organic/mod/) is a course of eight lectures and lecture-demonstrations given by Henry Rzepa of the department of chemistry, Imperial College of Science, Technology & Medicine, London. The aim of the course is to introduce the hierarchy of computational modeling methods that are standard tools used by organic chemists to search for, rationalize, and predict the structure and reactivity of organic, bioorganic, and organometallic molecules. Users can learn which modeling tool is appropriate for their problem and the limitations and strengths of each (July 12, 1999). Introduction to Atmospheric Chemistry (http://www.science.yorku.ca/cac/intro.html) is a learning resource for anyone interested in gaining a general idea about atmospheric chemistry. The site is divided into sections including Photochemical Smog/Tropospheric Ozone, Global Warming, Stratospheric Ozone Depletion, Acidic Deposition, and Toxic Air Pollutants. Each section provides a brief summary and links to related resources (March 8, 1999). World Chemistry (http://www.intschool- leipzig.com/bailey/home/index.htm) is a major resource for budding chemists and chemistry educators. Designed for advanced and able students between 16 and 19 years old, the site offers tutorials and interactive checks (quizzes) to teach a number of chemistry topics, such as acids and bases, covalent bonding, kinetics, and collision theory. In addition, the site offers interactive experiments, animations, well-crafted interactive Java Applet Molecular Models, and virtual reality models of trends in the periodic table. Other resources include a quick reference guide to chemical terms and a web site manager that allows registered users to create and update a log file of the tutorials and learning checks they have completed. On subsequent visits, the web site manager will offer a review of the user's progress and suggest the next appropriate tutorial or quiz (Feb. 15, 1999).
SciCentral (http://www.scicentral. com/) is a gateway to thousands of online resources, grouped by science area (including biological, health, engineering, and physical and chemical) and then subdivided by resource type (directories, specialized resources, databases, special reports, and articles). Special features include Academic Programs, K-12 Science, the Media Room, and a Bulletin Board, among others. Other resources include an internal search engine as well as links to science news wire search engines, science journal metasites, current research highlights, breaking science news, and new articles from an impressive range of sources (June 7,1999). A new online service from Thompson Publishing Group, Washington, D.C., allows subscribers to track FDA notifications. The FDA Warning Letter Monitor (http://www.thompson.com/warn) features letters sent to manufacturers of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, foods, and biologics that notify them of potential violations. Sections include News & Analysis, Compliance, FDA Resources, Recent Headlines, Notices of Violations, and individual product areas (May 17, 1999). Informed, thought-provoking coverage of scitech issues is presented on SciTech Daily Review (http://scitechdaily.com). Three main sections--Features and Backgrounds, Books and Media, Opinion and Analysis--present miniabstracts of stories with links to the web sites on which the full stories appear. Three other sections--Breaking News, Sci/Tech Publications, and Useful Media--provide links to the home pages of newsmagazines, scitech publications, and newspapers. New material is added to the site four days a week (Feb. 15, 1999).
Diversity Information Pages (http://www.5z.com/divinfo/) serves the community of scientists working in combinatorial chemistry. The links include articles published in the field; articles, presentations, and papers published/submitted in 1999; patents granted in the area of molecular diversity; reviews in molecular diversity and solid-phase organic chemistry; articles dealing with solid-phase organic chemistry; articles in robotics and automation; "Classical Papers" in molecular diversity and solid-phase organic chemistry; molecular diversity and combinatorial chemistry books; useful procedures; upcoming symposia; database of scientists working in molecular diversity; companies and organizations; and fun stuff (August 30, 1999). Organometallic HyperTextBook (http:// www.ilpi.com/organomet/index.chtml) provides information on a plethora of topics such as acetylene metathesis, alkyne metathesis, hydride complexes, and substitution reactions. Sections in the topics include general information, mechanism, catalysts required for molecular reaction, bonding modes, complications, spectroscopic features, and images of the discussed topic. The site provides a good synopsis of electron counting and the 18-electron rule and coordination numbers. Links to related resources round out the site, which is an excellent learning resource and can be useful for undergraduate students (May 17, 1999). People in the soap and detergent fields should not miss Surfactants Virtual Library (http://www.surfactants.net). Webmaster Paul Huibers strives to make the site the most comprehensive and organized source of information on the web. Major subject areas covered are applications, formulations, companies, worldwide researchers, conferences, books and journals, research centers, job opportunities, and professional societies important to the field. The site contains an organized collection of links to other web sites that have content of interest to surfactant researchers (March 8, 1999).
E-Commerce Anderson's webalog (http://www.atcg.com/), a comparative electronic catalog, lists detailed product information on more than 700,000 products from more than 2,500 suppliers. Users can quickly find and compare products from various suppliers. Products include chemicals, antibodies, broths and media, chromatography supplies, columns, filters and membranes, gels and gel materials, glassware, labware and equipment, enzymes, nucleic acids, photographic materials, proteins and peptides, books, and software (April 24, 2000). CambridgeSoft (http://www.camsoft.com) develops, markets, and supports desktop Internet software for scientists and engineers working in the chemical, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and other chemical-related industries, as well as in government laboratories and universities. It is organized in five units: ChemFinder WebServer is a database of more than 75,000 common chemical compounds with links to further information. ChemNews.com is a collaborative Internet chemistry publication that features daily headlines in chemistry, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and the chemical industry. ChemStore.com offers thousands of chemical and biological products, as well as databases, software, computers, and books. ChemACX.com is the portion of ChemStore.com for chemical commerce. Users search major chemical catalogs and place orders for chemicals from participating vendors. ChemClub.com is a one-stop chemical community center for news, chemical searching, free downloads, and chemical software on the Web (April 24, 2000). ChemAnswers.com (http://www.chemanswers.com/) is an online consulting service that supports the creative efforts of scientists and engineers engaged in the areas of organic synthesis, polymers, biopolymers, analytical chemistry, chemical engineering, and surface and colloid science. Common uses of ChemAnswers. com include obtaining help in an area out of one's expertise, providing an alternative view of an intractable problem, verifying or improving an experimental approach, and saving time in searching the literature (April 24, 2000). Chemdex (http://www.chemdex.com) for purchasing biological and chemical reagents features a powerful search engine that allows the user to focus a search as narrowly or as broadly as desired, thus avoiding the need to look through multiple catalogs for a given product. All the product information needed to make an informed purchasing decision is included. Orders can be placed online from known suppliers (April 26, 1999). ChemQuik (http://www.chemquik. com) gives free Internet access to selected data from material safety data sheets for 140,000 commonly used chemicals. Full MSDSs can be purchased for a fee. Information includes first aid instructions, fire procedures, and physical property data. The material is intended to increase safety for users of chemicals at home and in other nonindustrial settings. ChemQuik can be used by educators, emergency response personnel, and community groups that offer first aid training. Dolphin Software (January 11, 1999) ChemNavigator.com (http://www.chemnavigator.com/) is an e-commerce company that provides informatics solutions for life sciences research organizations. Its technologies and software applications, accessed through its website, are used to correlate chemical and biological data. Its iResearch System allows users to access and compare a variety of chemical compound suppliers and chemical information sources. The iResearch System is different from other chemical catalogs available on the Internet because of the chemical design capabilities integrated into the system. Scientists can locate compounds by sketching a portion of the chemical structure and then purchase individual compounds in small quantities (April 24, 2000). ChemSW (http://www.chemsw.com/) is a global provider of chemistry and laboratory software and related services. The company's inventory includes chemical databases and innovative software for chromatography, mass spectrometry, molecular drawing and modeling, statistics, environmental methods, chemical inventory tracking, instrument maintenance and calibration, sample tracking, material safety data sheets, quality control charting, training and education, and many other critical processes in the laboratory (April 24, 2000). Elf Atochem's recently redesigned web site (http://www.elf-atochem.com/newelf/homepage.cfm) offers expanded information on products, markets, and plants; new technology and downloadable tools; and hyperlinks to the best chemical sites (November 15, 1999). eLabAuctions (http://www.elabauctions.com/) allows users to sell and buy at auction laboratory equipment, furniture, tools, and supplies; health and safety supplies; scientific books; experimental materials, including analytical reagents, antibodies, chemicals, filters, and glassware; computers and software; and services ranging from bookkeeping to custom synthesis (April 24, 2000). Hanovia has created a web site (http://www.hanovia-uv.com) that contains information about all of its product categories: UV curing, photochemistry, air/water sterilization, and glow-in-the-dark products (November 15, 1999). Hauser (http://www.hauser.com) includes information on technical services and capabilities and products and services offered by various business units (Feb. 15, 1999). LabDeals (http://www.labdeals.com) is an innovative service selling research supplies and equipment at a discount. The site enables vendors to sell surplus inventory through both auction and fixed-price platforms and yields significant savings for purchasers. The items are divided into three category listings--Analytical Instruments, Basic Equipment, and Biotechnology Products--and multiple subcategories. AutoBid, an auction feature, allows placing of a maximum acceptable bid. The AuctionWatch feature allows users to track all of their bids without having to go to every item's bid page. This site was launched by SciQuest (http://www.sciquest.com), the scientific product search site (Feb. 15, 1999). Laboratory Network (http://www.LaboratoryNetwork.com) is directed to chemists, researchers, laboratory managers, and research directors, as well as users, purchasers, and manufacturers of laboratory equipment, chemicals, and supplies. In addition to a forum for buying and selling new or surplus lab products at competitive prices, Laboratory Network provides daily news updates and reports on business and technology trends. Visitors will find information about laboratory chemicals, products, systems, services, and equipment, including analytical instruments, computer hardware and software, chromatography equipment, separation systems, filtration systems, and liquid-handling equipment. Laboratory Network's news content will include coverage of R&D developments, regulatory issues, and industry trends (July 12, 1999). Lab Safety Supply's catalog (http://www.labsafety.com) now has more than 46,000 products available. Customers have access to categories such as safety, material handling, storage, maintenance, first aid, and spill cleanup. The site offers secure online ordering (March 8, 1999). Labtech's newly renovated web site (http://www.labtech.com) provides access to the latest information on software for industrial and laboratory automation, including software for data acquisition and process control (November 15, 1999). NOW Technologies (http://www. nowpak.com) contains news, product information, a facility tour, a company profile, worldwide contacts, Y2K readiness information, and links (March 8, 1999). O.I. Corporation's new web site (http: //www.oico.com) provides complete product information on its analytical instrumentation. It has features that assist customers, post employment opportunities, and provide information to potential investors (November 15, 1999). SciQuest.com is an e-marketplace for scientific products used by pharmaceutical, chemical, biotechnology, industrial, and educational organizations worldwide. SciQuest.com offers its customers extensive laboratory products, supply-chain management expertise, exclusive product listings, a portfolio of e-procurement solutions, and a cost-effective sales and marketing channel. SciQuest. com has more than 270 suppliers offering almost 1 million products (April 24, 2000). Scientific Software has launched its web site (http://www.scisw.com) with more than 40 pages of detailed information about the company's products. Users can request information and register products online and check a What's New page (November 15, 1999). Sigma AldrichSigma-Aldrich Supersite (http://www. sigma-aldrich.com) incorporates more than 2 million certificates of analysis characterizing chemicals, biochemicals, and a wide variety of other products (Feb. 15, 1999). Spectrum Quality Products allows registered customers to purchase chemicals on its secure e-commerce web site (http://www.spectrumchemical.com). Guests can apply for a customer number online. Users can search by chemical name, chemical formula, CAS number, or Spectrum product number to view sizes, prices, technical specifications, storage and hazard data, shipping information, and packing group and UPS carrier limits. Users also can request bulk price quotations. In addition, the web site offers monthly specials and technical support (March 8, 1999). Zeolite powders, catalysts, and adsorbents are featured on Zeolyst International's redesigned web site (http://www.zeolyst.com). Product data and details on customization for new applications are given, and material safety data sheets can be downloaded (November 15, 1999).
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