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SciFinder Web and SciFinder Scholar

SciFinder Scholar is the Internet-based interface to the Chemical Abstract Society’s Chemical Abstracts and Registry databases. The database is available either via the web or as an application installed on your computer.

SciFinder allows users to:

• Search by chemical structure or biological sequence
• Search by research topic, author, company, substance name, or reaction
• Stay up-to date on the most recent scientific developments through its “Keep Me Posted” feature and email alerts

For more information about or assistance with SciFinder Web and SciFinder Scholar, contact Kim Lipsey at 314-362-4733 or lipseyk@wustl.edu.

SciFinder Web

SciFinder Scholar is available via the web as SciFinder Web. Providing access to Chemical Abstracts and other databases covering journals in chemistry and related fields, SciFinder Web requires only a web browser and individual login. Because there is no need to download and install software, the web version can be accessed from any computer with a compatible browser.

To register for an account, go to the CAS SciFinder Registration Form. CAS, a division of the American Chemical Society and the publisher of SciFinder, provides an online training and support web site that provides tutorials, how-to guides, and an interactive demo.

Once you have registered, go to https://scifinder.cas.org/scifinder to sign in. The Washington University School of Medicine community is limited to 2 concurrent users, so please remember to sign off at the end of each session.

For more information about or assistance with SciFinder, contact Kim Lipsey at 314-362-4733 or lipseyk@wustl.edu.

SciFinder Scholar

Available only to computer users at Washington University, SciFinder Scholar is the Internet-based interface to the Chemical Abstracts Society’s Chemical Abstracts and Registry databases. Using a simple graphical user interface, searchers can search for broad subject areas, for authors, or for reactions. Substances may be identified by chemical names, structures, formulas, or CAS Registry Numbers. A draw program is included in SciFinder for structure searching as well. Unlike other Chemical Abstract systems, SciFinder offers daily updates and may be accessed from home, laboratory, or office.

To use the SciFinder Scholar client, you must first download the software onto your computer. We also have Hints & Tips available for those who need assistance using this service.

• SciFinder Scholar 2007 for Windows
• SciFinder Scholar for Mac OS X (10.3 and 10.4 only)
• SciFinder Scholar 2004 for the Macintosh
• Hints and Tips
• MacScholar Tips (PDF)

SciFinder Scholar 2007 for Windows

SciFinder Scholar is restricted to use by WU faculty, students, and staff. If you download the files and are not at WU, you will not be able to access the database.

*** Before installing the software, make sure that you have Administrative Rights to the computer on which you are installing the software.

To Set Up SciFinder Scholar 2007: (If you are using the Internet Explorer browser, please read the instructions completely before downloading the file.)

1. Click here to download the sfs2007.exe file.
2. Save the file to your computer.
   We recommend saving it to a folder named Downloads or Temp. If you are using Internet Exporer, click Save in this dialog box



and in the Save As dialog box, add .exe to the sfs2007 file name and select All Files in the Save as type: drop-down menu.)


3. If this is a new installation, click here to download the Preferences file (site-pc.prf). Save the file into the same folder. (If you are upgrading, you need NOT download the preferences file.)
4. Close your browser and use Windows Explorer to find the downloaded file.
5. Double click on the sfs2007.exe to install the program.
   (This is a self-extracting archive and will install the program files in the C:\SFSCHLR directory. If you are upgrading from a previous version of Scholar, use the same directory.)
6. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the program.
7. Once the file has been installed, a dialog box will appear asking “Do you have a disk labeled custom site files?” Click No.
8. Copy the Preferences file (site-pc.prf) into the C:\SFSCHLR folder.
9. After copying the file, rename the file to site.prf.
10. Open the application by double-clicking on the SciFinder Scholar icon.

Reminder:

This program will only work on computers at Washington University or faculty, students, and staff who dial-in to WU or use the WUSM Proxy Service.

Contact the Reference Desk at 314-362-7085, if you are having any difficulties setting up or connecting to SciFinder Scholar.

SciFinder Scholar for Mac OS X (10.3 and 10.4 only)

1. Download SciFinder Scholar (a Macintosh Disk Image File) to your desktop. (You must be on a WUSM network to download the software.) An icon will downloaded to your desktop asking to drag it to the Applications folder on your Macintosh hard drive. Do this as this will install Scifinder Scholar in the Applications folder. (If you have a previous version of Scifinder Scholar, you will want to rename that folder to Scifinder Scholar 2004.)
2. Click here to download the Preference file (site-mac.prf). This file is required before using Scholar. (If you have an existing site-mac.prf file, delete that file and download the new site-mac.prf file.)
3. Rename the site-mac.prf file to site.prf.
4. Open the Applications folder and select the SciFinder Scholar file. Open the Actions drop down menu (starburst icon at the top of the Finder Window) and select Show Package Contents.
5. Open the Contents/MacOS folders. Copy the site.prf file into the MacOS folder. Close all of the folders.
6. You are now ready to use SciFinder Scholar for the OS X. (Once you have launched the program, do an Edit Preferences/Program to make sure that Safari is your Internet Browser.)
7. (Optional) Create a “SciFinder Scholar” alias for your dock or desktop.
8. Open MacScholarTips file for instructions concerning your Preferences files (Site.prf) and other configuration items before you begin using SciFinder Scholar.

Contact the Reference Desk at 314-362-7085, if you are having any difficulties setting up or connecting to SciFinder Scholar.

SciFinder Scholar 2004 for the Macintosh

Before installing the software, make sure that you have Administrative Rights to the computer on which you are installing the software.

1. Click here to download the file to your computer. It will download as an binhexed self-extracting archive and a folder entitled SciFinder Scholar will be create on your Desktop. This may take a minute or so.
2. Click here to download the Preference file (site-mac.prf). After extracting the site.prf file, copy it into the installation folder before installing Scholar. This file is required for the installation.
3. Open the SciFinder Scholar folder and double-click on the SciFinder Scholar icon.
4. You will only be able use SciFinder Scholar if you are connected to the WUSM network.

Contact the Information Services Desk at 314-362-7085, if you are having any difficulties setting up or connecting to SciFinder Scholar.