What Is SciFinder N?
SciFinder N (SFn) is the next-generation research discovery platform from CAS, offering an updated interface, enhanced search algorithms, and mobile-friendly access to the same comprehensive chemical literature, substance, and reaction data found in SciFinder.
How do you use SciFinder N?
SciFinder N is used by selecting a search type (All, Substances, Reactions, References), entering a text query or drawing a structure, then submitting the query to retrieve results
First, pick your search type. Want the broadest results? Go with “All Search.” Need something more specific? Try substances, reactions, or literature references. The built-in drawing tool lets you sketch chemical structures or reactions for pinpoint accuracy. Once you’ve got your results, use the left-hand panel to filter by publication year, document type, or author. You can export, analyze, or save these results to folders for later use.
What is SciFinder used for?
SciFinder is used for comprehensive chemical research, enabling searches by topic, author, chemical name, CAS Registry Number, or by drawing chemical structures and reactions.
Think of SciFinder as the Swiss Army knife for chemists. Produced by the American Chemical Society’s Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS), it helps researchers and students discover literature, identify substances, and plan reactions. The platform pulls together patent and journal literature with experimental data, making it a go-to resource for both academic and industrial chemistry. Access usually requires an institutional or personal subscription. Academic licenses run around $6,500 per year for 310 tasks, according to CAS pricing as of 2026.
What information can you find in SciFinder N?
SciFinder N provides authoritative chemical substance data including CAS Registry Numbers, chemical structures, names, properties, regulatory information, reaction schemes, experimental procedures, conditions, and product yields.
SciFinder N doesn’t just throw data at you—it organizes it smartly. You’ll find everything from CAS Registry Numbers to full experimental procedures, plus links to full-text articles, patents, and supplier details. The platform uses AI to rank results by relevance, so you’re not wading through pages of irrelevant papers. Honestly, this is the best approach if you need citable data for publications or patent applications.
How do I log into SciFinder?
To log into SciFinder, go to your institution’s library catalog entry for SciFinder, create a personal account via the “Register” link, then authenticate using your institutional credentials.
Start by visiting your library’s catalog and finding the SciFinder entry. Click “Register” to set up a personal account—just make sure to use your institutional email. If you’re off-campus, log in through your institution’s VPN or proxy first. Then, head to SciFinder’s login page and enter your personal username and password. Some institutions also support single sign-on (SSO) via SAML, which simplifies the process.
Is SciFinder free?
SciFinder is not free for most users; it requires an institutional or individual subscription.
Free access is rare, but CAS does offer programs for unemployed or displaced scientists—you’ll need to apply and verify your status. Some institutions provide limited guest access in their libraries. For personal use, expect to pay around $1,000 per year, according to CAS as of 2026.
How much does SciFinder cost?
An academic subscription to SciFinder costs about $6,500 per year for 310 tasks, with each search (including substructure searches) consuming tasks.
Each “task” equals one search session. Substructure and exact structure searches are more demanding, so they count as multiple tasks. Commercial licenses are pricier, often exceeding $10,000 annually. Pricing is set by CAS and can vary by region or institutional tier.
How do you search for a reaction in SciFinder?
To search for a reaction in SciFinder N, use the structure drawing tool to sketch the reactants and products, then select the reaction search type and submit the query.
Draw your reactants and products using the structure tool, then choose the reaction search type. You can tweak your search by adding reaction conditions, solvents, catalysts, or yield ranges. SciFinder N will return step-by-step experimental procedures, conditions, and yields from patents and journals. Researchers love this feature for retrosynthesis and method development in organic chemistry.
How do I use SciFinder off campus?
To use SciFinder off campus, first authenticate through your institution’s VPN or proxy, then log in with your personal SciFinder credentials.
You’ll need to jump through two hoops: first, connect to your institution’s VPN or proxy for secure access. Then, log in to SciFinder with your personal credentials. Some institutions skip the VPN and use IP-based access instead—check your library’s remote access guide for the latest instructions.
How do I search for authors on SciFinder?
To search for authors on SciFinder, go to the References results page, click “View All” under the Author filter, then use the Author Search tab to enter the author’s name and run the search.
After running a search, head to the References results page. Click “View All” under the Author filter, then switch to the Author Search tab. Enter the author’s name, and SciFinder will list all their publications, sortable by date or relevance. You can further refine by co-authors, journal, or substance. This is perfect for tracking research output, collaboration networks, and citation analysis.
How do I remove duplicates in SciFinder?
To remove duplicates in SciFinder N, go to Tools > Remove Duplicates to eliminate redundant MEDLINE or other database records from your results.
Got a messy pile of results? The “Remove Duplicates” tool in Tools > Remove Duplicates can clean it up by merging duplicate references across sources like MEDLINE or Embase. You can choose to keep the most complete record or merge annotations. This feature saves time when you’re combining results from multiple databases.
How do I register for CAS number?
A CAS Registry Number is automatically assigned by CAS during substance registration; it is not registered by individual users.
You can’t just sign up for a CAS number yourself—CAS assigns them after reviewing and registering a substance. However, you can double-check a CAS number’s validity using its check digit. Multiply each digit from right to left by increasing integers starting at 1, sum the products, then take modulo 10 of the result. For example, water’s CAS number (7732-18-5) has a check digit of 5. CAS numbers are assigned only after curation by CAS experts.
How do I get access to Reaxys?
To access Reaxys, go to your institution’s database list, search for “Reaxys,” select your campus, and log in with your institutional email and password.
Reaxys is usually available through university libraries or corporate subscriptions. Some institutions offer trial access or walk-in access in their libraries. If you’re unsure how to get started, ask your librarian—they’ll point you to the right authentication method and access instructions.
Which is better: Reaxys or SciFinder?
SciFinder excels in literature and patent coverage from 1967 onward and comprehensive compound registration, while Reaxys offers broader reaction and property data with monthly updates.
Use SciFinder for deep literature searches and substance identification. Turn to Reaxys for reaction optimization, synthesis planning, and property prediction. Both platforms are top-tier and often used together for thorough chemical research. Honestly, this is the best approach if you need comprehensive coverage.
How much does Reaxys cost?
A Reaxys license typically costs about $10,000 per year per user or site license.
Pricing depends on your institution’s size, number of users, and features. Academic institutions often bundle access through consortia, while individuals might find tiered pricing starting around $2,000 annually. Always confirm current pricing with Elsevier or your library liaison—it’s worth the effort to get the best deal.
How do you identify a chemical reaction?
You identify a chemical reaction by entering the reactant(s), selecting the reaction type (e.g., ion clustering, oxidation), and searching SciFinder N or Reaxys for experimental procedures and conditions.
Start by drawing your reactants and products in the structure tool. Then, pick the reaction type—whether it’s ion clustering, oxidation, or something else. Add reaction conditions like temperature, solvent, or catalyst to narrow your results. SciFinder N or Reaxys will return step-by-step procedures from patents and journals, complete with yields and references. This method is a staple in retrosynthetic analysis and method development workflows.
