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PolyU Library

Using SciFinder Discovery

A quick guide to help you get started with SciFinder Discovery

Library Workshops

Library regularly arranges SciFinder Discovery training workshops for our students and staff. Look out for our Library Workshop page or notification emails! 

You may also take a look at the workshop handouts from our previous offerings. 

What's in SciFinder Discovery

SciFinder Discovery, an upgraded version of SciFinder-n and SciFinder, is the most comprehensive database and tool for discovering chemical information. It is developed by Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS).

Its contents include journal articles, information on chemical structures, properties, reactions, analytical methods, formulas, and life science data. Users can search literature by topic, author, and search substances by name or CAS Registry Number, or drawing a chemical structure. 

Help Guides & Tutorials

Searching in SciFinder Discovery

(Adapted from CAS SciFinder Discovery Help Guide)

Functions
How it works  (click the link to see detailed steps with screenshots)

Finds substances, reactions, references, and suppliers by

Find substances by

Finds reactions by

Find references (literature) by

Create a Retrosynthesis plan by 

  • drawing/ importing a chemical structure

SciFinder Discovery Workshop Recording

Finding Quality Chemical Information Resources from SciFinder-n (Oct 2023)  (PolyU students and Staff only)

Other Training Materials

Subjects: Science