This guide covers Web and printed dictionaries and encyclopaedias concerned with all fields of chemistry. Those in specific fields (such as organic chemistry) are listed under their subjects: see Chemistry contents.
Two of the most useful encyclopaedias with basic data on common or industrially and environmentally important substances are the multi-volume encyclopaedias:
Encyclopedia of chemical technology (Kirk-Othmer).
3rd ed.1978-84. 24
vols and supplements. Reference collection 660.03 E56
and incomplete 4th ed. Reference collection 660.03 E56.4
Includes much chemistry as well as chemical technology. Useful for common, industrial or environmental substances and topics. Often includes data, reactions, methods, environmental aspects, uses, safety. Has substantial bibliographies after articles often including reports and patents.
Index covers substance names, properties, topics but the indexing of substances can be erratic. The 3rd edition has an index for all volumes at the end of the set. The 4th edition has indexes for every 4 volumes.
Ullmann's encyclopedia of industrial chemistry. 5th ed. 1984-
English edition
Reference collection 660.03 U41.5
Coverage similar to Kirk-Othmer. Section A covers chemicals, processes etc. Section B covers basic principles. Has an index to all volumes at the end of the set.
An encyclopaedia for overviews of chemical topics is:
Contains long articles on chemical concepts, biography, functional groups, types of reaction and compounds, with bibliographies at the end of articles. Volume 4 has an index.
Chemical dictionaries are useful for definitions of terms covering concepts, reactions, processes and for synonyms, molecular formulae and structures of common substances: