SciFinder®: Exploring polymers in your research process

2

Polymers are the made-to-order raw materials of modern manufacturing• Polymers are used in most manufacturing

processes as raw materials, process aids, or equipment parts

• Properties vary by monomers and process• Polymer substance records have unique

attributes in SciFinder®

• Searches for polymer substrate records & polymer document records in SciFinder are enhanced by specific techniques

3

Goals for this seminar include...

• Examining how polymers are registered in SciFinder

• Searching for polymer substance records and documents using various SciFinder search avenues

• Looking at some tips for retrieving useful polymer references

• Using the Refine and Analyze tools to organize search results

4

Polymers in SciFinder represent an important group of substances• CAS REGISTRYSM contains over 64 million

small molecules• At present, almost 1.4 million substances are

polymers or oligomers >2.9 million CAPlus records

• CAS assigns a specific CAS Registry Number® for each polymer based on:– Its monomers – The structural repeating unit (SRU)– Manual registration

5

To search for polymer substance records in SciFinder, rely on the basics• Basic search techniques for polymer substance

records are the same as those for any substance– Explore Chemical structure– Explore Molecular formula– Locate Substance identifier– Related substances from document answer set

• Additional techniques for polymers can…– Separate polymer substance records from large answer

sets – Help find the particular substance records you need– Retain records with manual registration

6

Search Question: What polymers are discussed in US patent 5,494,960 concerning aqueous polyurethane dispersions?

7

Search Strategy

To find polymers discussed in US Patent 5,494,960...

Step 1. Use the Locate>Locate Literature Document Identifier function in SciFinder by entering US 5494960

Step 2. Create an answer set of all substances discussed in the document with Get Related Substances

Step 3. Eliminate the small molecule substance records by using Refine by Property Data

Step 4. Review the answer set

8

Locate the document using patent number

The Document Identifier can recognize input with letters of upper or lower case, and numbers with or without commas.

Multiple documents may be retrieved by entering any number of Document Identifiers, one per line, or input from an existing text file.

9

Find all substances in the document set with Get Related Substances

Get Related Substances retrieves all substances indexed in the documents.

10

Answer set contains polymers and small molecules

Get Related Substances retrieves all of the substances in the records. We can narrow the answer set using analyze and refine tools.

11

Remove small molecules by using Refine by Property Data

Small molecules have Predicted Molecular Weight values while polymers do not. The “0 to 1” range will return no substances with predicted MW. Selecting “Include substances with no value for the specified properties” will return all of the polymers.

12

Seven small molecules removed from answer set

The refined answer set contains a variety of polymer types. Three are shown here.

13

Substance details for this homopolymer

Double click on link to see detail

14

Substance details for this homopolymer

The formula displays the monomer in parentheses with “x” indicating the polymer is a homopolymer.

Polymer records are unique in their formula format and the presence of the Polymer Class Term.

15

Substance details of this multi-component polymer

16

Substance details of this multi-component polymer

The formula displays the monomers dot disconnected in parentheses with “x” indicating the polymer is a copolymer.

17

Substance details of this structural repeating unit polymer

The formula displays the structural repeating unit (SRU) in parentheses with “n” indicating

the polymer is registered as an SRU.

18

Substance details of this structural repeating unit polymer

Alternate Registry Number(s) can reveal the copolymer registration of the polymer.

19

Alternate Registry Number reveals a monomer-based description

The Preferred Registry Number represents the SRU record shown previously.

With very few exceptions, each SRU polymer has at least one corresponding monomer based substance record.

20

Substance details of this structural repeating unit polymer with end groups

The formula displays the structural repeating unit (SRU) in parentheses with “n” indicating the polymer is registered as an SRU, followed by a single molecular formula for the end groups.

21

Substance details of this manually registered polymer

Manual registration is performed when the substance composition is either unknown or proprietary.

22

Polymer molecular formulas have a unique format• For addition polymers and most condensation

polymers put the molecular formula of the monomers, separated by dots, within brackets, and close with an “X”– (C3H6)x for propene homopolymer– (C8H8 . C5H8)x for styrene-isoprene copolymers– (C8H8 . C4H6 . C2H4)x for styrene-butadiene-ethene polymers

• For structural repeating units of symmetric condensation polymers put the formula of the repeating unit within brackets and close with an “N”– (C14H12O4)n for polybutylene terephthalate– (C2H4O)nCH4O for -methyl--hydroxy PE

23

Search example using molecular formula

Search Question: How many copolymers of styrene and 1,3-butadiene are listed in SciFinder?

24

Search Strategy

To find copolymers of styrene and butadiene...

Step 1. Use the Explore > Explore Substances > Molecular Formula function in SciFinder

Step 2. Enter the Molecular Formula for the polymer: (C8H8 . C4H6)x and run the search

Step 3. Change the level of detail shown in the answers using the View menu

Step 4. Review the answer set

25

Search for polymers with molecular formula (C8H8 . C4H6)x

When entering a molecular formula in SciFinder, the numbers are not subscripted.

26

Answer set for polymers with molecular formula (C8H8 . C4H6)x

SciFinder retrieves all answers that have the molecular formula in the query, including deuterated substances.

27

Summary view includes CASM chemical name

The chemical names of these compounds contain terms that describe characteristics of the polymers.

28

Polymers have unique rules for their records in SciFinder• The CAS Registry Number for a polymer is specific to

the building blocks (monomers) of the polymer• Polymers with specified stereochemistry (tacticity) are

registered separately• Block, diblock, triblock (etc.), graft or alternating

polymers are registered separately • Post-treated polymers (hydrogenated, chlorinated,

sulfonated, sulfurized) are registered separately• The molecular weight (distribution), number of

repeating units, component ratio, physical characteristics, or initiators or catalysts used do not influence the registration

29

The molecular formula search retrieves all polymers with the formula entered

A molecular formula may be common to multiple substances. This query will include all of these in the answer set.

30

Refine by structure

31

Remove isotopic compounds

Isotopic substances are removed in this example because we are interested only in the varied geometry of the polymers.

32

Final answer set contains 29 substances

Refine by structure adds highlighting to the polymer components.

33

SRU polymer search using molecular formula

Search Question: Find any information in SciFinder relating to the polymer below.

(CH2)4C O

O

C

O

O n

34

Search Strategy

To find information on an SRU polymers of known structure...

Step 1. Use the Explore > Explore Substances > Molecular Formula function in SciFinder

Step 2. Enter the Molecular Formula for the polymer: (C12H12O4)n and run the search

Step 3. Use Refine by Chemical Structure to find the desired structural isomer

Step 4. Display the substance record detail

35

Search for SRU polymers with molecular formula (C12H12O4)n

Note the SRU format for the molecular formula.

36

Refine by chemical structure will locate the desired substance within the answer set

Substructure search is used for SRU searches because of the bonds at the ends of the SRU.

37

Search for SRU polymers with molecular formula (C12H12O4)n

38

Polymer searching with Explore by Molecular Formula• Is a closed end search

– No variables may be included– The number of components is fixed

• May yield results that include several structural isomers

• May require exclusion of isomers with Refine by Exact Structure– Multiple structures can be included in one refine step– Refine can also be used to eliminate isotope labeled

monomers

39

Search for polymers with exact structure search

Search Question: How many polymers containing both styrene and 1,3-butadiene are listed in SciFinder?

40

Search Strategy

To find all polymers of styrene and butadiene...

Step 1. Use the Explore > Explore Substances > Chemical Structure function in SciFinder

Step 2. Draw styrene and 1,3-butadiene as fragments

Step 3. Start the search by clicking the Get Substances button

Step 4. Select Exact Search and the Polymers filter and click the OK button

Step 5. Examine the answer set using Refine by Chemical Structure

41

Exact search for polymers containing styrene and 1,3-butadiene

Draw as fragments

42

Exact search for polymers containing styrene and 1,3-butadiene

Explore by chemical structure allows the selection of only polymers at the start of the search.

43

Answer set includes polymers with additional monomers

The query specifies that styrene and 1,3-butadiene be present in each substance in the answer set, but does not limit the presence of other monomers.

Reverse order changes the order of the polymers to ascending CAS Registry Number. Some users prefer this order.

Unlike the molecular formula search, the exact structure search with monomers can be used to create an answer set with variation in the number of components (monomers).

44

Find polymers that also containacrylonitrile

As a subset search example, we’ll search for polymers from our answer set that also contain acrylonitrile.

Acrylonitrile is added as a third fragment.

45

Find polymers that also containacrylonitrile

From the original answer set created by searching for two monomers, any number of subset searches may be performed with additional monomers.

46

Polymers described generically can be searched by Explore by Research Topic• Ethylene--olefin polymers (linear low density

polyethylene or LLDPE) can be described without specifying which -olefin is used

• Alkyds (polymers used in paints and coatings) incorporate vegetable oils that consist of undefined blends

• Such polymers cannot be searched by Molecular Formula or Structure Searches– Search by Explore by Research Topic for generic

polymers

– Complete the search by refining and analyzing

47

Using the Single Component option

• Use the Single Component on a single monomer

• Use the Single Component on a structure search with two fragment monomers

48

Searching styrene as single component

49

The Single Component option limited to one component substances

50

The Single Component option on two fragment monomers

51

The Single Component option on two fragment monomers

52

Search for polymers with generic structures

Search Question: Find references discussing the preparation of LLDPE (linear low density polyethylene). Segregate the references that pertain to packaging, and examine the polymers cited in the documents.

53

Search Strategy

To find information on LLDPE...

Step 1. Utilize Explore > Literature > Research Topic for the preparation of LLDPE

Step 2. Refine the answer set with the term packaging

Step 3. Get Related Substances from this smaller answer set

Step 4. Narrow the substance answer set to only polymers

54

A research topic search can take us to documents that yield substances

The parentheses indicate that synonyms are specified.

55

A research topic search can take us to documents that yield substances

56

Initial search results can be narrowed by additional Research Topic search

While the term “packaging” could have been included in the initial research topic search, stepwise searching allows us to adjust the secondary term as needed.

57

Get related substances will show all substances discussed in these documents

Get related substances may be used on any answer set containing 1000 or fewer documents.

58

Use the molecular weight search to retain polymers

59

Use the molecular weight search to retain polymers

Recall that polymers do not have a predicted molecular weight.

60

Final answer set has records with structures and manually registered substances

Manually registered substances often contain useful notes about product names and manufacturers.

61

Special tips for Explore by Research Topic polymer searching

• Most common “rubber” materials do not have a unique substance records, but may be searched as Research Topics– Natural rubber, EDPM rubber, nitrile rubber, silicone

rubber, and many others

• Descriptive term “fiber” is the common term used to search for documents concerning polymers in threads, strands, and similar forms– For Nylon 6 or 66 fibers, search polyamide fibers

– Lycra, spandex, Glospan, polyurethane fibers

62

Special tips for Explore by Research Topic polymer searching• All polymers are assigned to one or more of

the 40+ Polymer Classes – Assignment(s) based on monomer(s)– Copolymers are often assigned to multiple classes

• Descriptive terms “blend” & “composite” receive special attention in documents about polymers – Polymer blends & composites don’t receive unique

substance records, but searching the specific polymer or class with “blend” or “composite” often increases search success

• Polymers may often be searched by trade name, CAS Registry Number, common name, or abbreviation

63

Number of substances by polymer class

Amino ResinChloropolymer Double Strand

Epoxy Resin

PolyurethanePolyvinyl

Polyurea

PolythioetherPolythioester

Polysulfone

PolysulfonamidePolysulfide

Polystyrene

Polyquinoxaline

Polyphenyl

Fluoropolymer

Manual Component

Manual RegistrationPhenolic Resin

Polyacetylene

Polyacrylic

Polyphosphazene

Polyother only

Polyother

Polyolefin

PolynucleotidePolyketone

Polyisocyanurate

PolyionenePolyimide Polyhydrazide Polyether

Polyanhydride

Polyazomethine

Polybenzimidazole

PolycarbonatePolycyanurate

Polyester

Polybenzoxazole

Polycarbodiimide

PolyaminePolyamidePolyamic Acid

64

Search Question: Find SciFinder references discussing blends of polyester and polyurea polymers.

65

Search Strategy

To find information on these polymer blends...

Step 1. Utilize Explore > Literature > Research Topic with the terms: polyester, polyurea, and blend

Step 2. Review the answer set

66

Including the term “blend” in the topic yields targeted results

67

Including the term “blend” in the topic yields targeted results

68

The document record shows “blend” as a significant search term

Indexing is the place to find out what the CAS scientist identified as important in the document.

For more information …

Customer CenterPhone: 800-753-4227 or 614-447-3700

Support and Training: www.cas.orgE-mail: help@cas.org