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Reaxys: Beilstein/Gmelin/Patent Chemistry

Resources and how-to guide to use Reaxys efficiently

Example

Use structure search in Reaxys to obtain the Boiling Point of Nicotine.

Nicotine Structure

Step 1

  • Connect to Reaxys here
  • Make sure you are at the Substance Properties Tab
  • Double click on the Structure Query area to open the Structure Editor or Use the  "Generate structure from name" function to generate target structure

Open Reaxys Structure Editor

Reaxys Structure Editor

Step 2

 

Draw the Nicotine structure.

  • Use template to draw benzene ring and Cyclopentane. And click and drag between two carbons of the two rings using the "single bond" tool to connect the two rings.

Draw Benzene and CP ring

  • Replace the Carbon with Nitrogen at the right place after selecting Nitrogen from the atom list.

replace C with N

 

  • Draw the Methyl group with Carbon tool.

Draw methyl group

Step 3

Click on "Transfer Query" to move the structure into the search box from the Structure Editor. Then, hit "search".

transfer query and search

Step 4

  • From the search results, select the targeted molecule based on the structure and chemical names listed in the result table. Overview the important properties available at the right side summary. Click on "Show Details" to expand the property view.

Substance Search Results

 

  • Click on the property category your are interested in to view the data and references.

Substance property categories

Step 5

  • Expand the "Boiling Point" category under "Physical Data" category. Read boiling points with different measuring conditions from the table.
  • Tip: When the pressure is not specified in the data table, it usually means 1 Torr, i.e. 1 standard atmosphere pressure. You may check the reference to be sure.
  • Get Full text of references with MGetIt button.  

Read boiling point data

  • If there is no electronic access to the full text, remember to check the print journals in our library. Record the location and call number to find it and make a copy in the library.

MGetitPrint

 

  • Tip: If journal name is a weird abbreviation, find what it is at CASSI (Chemical Abstract Service Source Index). CASSI can also help you with the history of journal name change.