Skip to Main Content
It looks like you're using Internet Explorer 11 or older. This website works best with modern browsers such as the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. If you continue with this browser, you may see unexpected results.

Chemistry & Chemical Engineering: Key databases

Searching the key databases

For a comprehensive search of the research literature use one or more of the key databases (below).

The databases allow you to find information about articles and papers, but often they do not include the PDFs of the articles. You can use the QConnect service to link to the full-text of articles and papers in the library's subscriptions.

Please note: The key databases cover many more items than are included in the Library's subscriptions. If you find a paper which you cannot access online because the library doesn't subscribe to it, you may be able to request a copy via the Inter-Library Loans service.

Key databases for chemistry and chemical engineering

SciFinder

SciFinder is an extensive database of chemical literature. Use it to find journal articles and patent records, as well as chemical substances and reactions. You can search by topic, author, or substances by name. Alternatively, use the editor to draw chemical structures, substructures, or reactions. Produced by Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS)

Please note: You must register for a personal SciFinder account. Please use a computer on the Queen's University network to complete the registration. Alternatively, use the following link and sign in with your QUB ID card details, prior to registering your account: SciFinder account registration link

Access SciFinder

SciFinder - help and support

Further help and user guides:

Scopus

Scopus is the world's largest bibliographic and citation database. It covers nearly 20,000 academic journals from chemistry, chemical engineering and other science and engineering subjects. Scopus is great for finding academic journal articles and conference papers. It is a good complement to the Web of Science database.

Access Scopus

List of Scopus tutorials

Web of Science

The Web of Science is an extensive bibliographic and citation database. It covers key academic journals from chemistry, chemical engineering and other science and engineering subjects. The Web of Science is a great source of information on academic journal articles and conference papers. It is a good complement to Scopus.

Access Web of Science

Web of Science Core Collection: Quick Reference Guide (PDF)

EI Compendex Backfile (1884 to 1969)

The EI Compendex Backfile is useful when you need to find older journal articles and conference papers (published between 1884 and 1969). It covers all areas of engineering and includes many papers which are not included in Scopus or the Web of Science.

Access EI Compendex Backfile

Accessing Databases

Many of the resources on this page are subscription databases.

On-campus, students and staff will usually have free guest user access.

To access databases from off-campus:

  • Always use links from the Library catalogue, a Subject Guide or the Databases A-Z list. This will allow you to sign in for remote access.
  • A Queen's authentication screen will open for all off-campus access
  • Enter your Queen's University ID card number and password to sign in

Other recommended databases