Finding Data 101

CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics

Connect to the CRC Handbook. (Use Ctrl-click to open a separate browser window to follow along here.) Points of interest about the CRC:
- The CRC is published annually, and each edition adds new data tables and removes others. The most current edition is what's online. Older editions are available in print on the Handbook Table in the Chemistry Library.
- The CRC offers a huge range of chemical and physical data, constants, and properties for all kinds of chemical compounds, elements, gases, metals, and complex materials. That's why it's the best place to start.
- If you're using the printed CRC, look up the property in question in the volume's index, then refer to the appropriate section and page. Chemical substances are not listed in the index.

For a quick search you can enter search terms -- the desired property and chemical name -- in the "Text Search" box at the top right.

For a more precise search, use the Structure/Property Search option.

This form allows you to enter parts of a chemical name (or its formula, Registry Number, etc.) plus a subject term such as a property name. You can also search for property values and ranges of values!
BUG: Do not include punctuation in a chemical name entered in this form -- it won't retrieve anything. Omit hyphens and other punctuation, for example "2 naphthalenethiol" instead of "2-naphthalenethiol". This bug does not seem to affect the simple text search box.

The CRC online consists of both Interactive Tables and PDF pages from the printed Handbook. Only the hit(s) from your search are displayed in the interactive table format.

Table data can be sorted, filtered, and exported using the buttons provided.

Reference format for your reports or papers:
CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics [Online]; http://www.hbcpnetbase.com/ (accessed Nov 7, 2009).
(Don't copy the entire URL of a specific page or data table as this will not work for others. Just use the base URL.)