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Dictionary of Organic Compounds (DOC)

Why teach DOC?

  • Includes most compounds used in undergraduate labs.
  • Provides useful info for undergrad. lab. work.
  • An example of a more comples source than CRC, etc., so students learn the skill and value of using name and MF indexes.

Teaching points:

  • Entries are alphabetical by name commonly used in labs (i.e. do not need to think about IUPAC nomenclature).
  • If compound name is not an entry, there are name and MF indexes.
  • Gives CA name for compound, if need to go to print CA Substance Index, and the RN if need to do computer search.
  • Provides the structure (graphic).
  • Gives MF, basic properties (e.g. density, mp, bp, etc.), description of substance (e.g. cryst.).
  • Gives toxicity info and references to more extensive descriptions.
  • Lists major references for synthesis, spectra, etc.
Format
Print new 6th edition in 1995. 9 vols. Published by Chapman & Hall.
Online Dialog as File 303 — Chapman & Hall Chemical Database. Incorporates other Chapman & Hall Dictionaries, e.g. Dictionary of Organometallic Compounds.
CD-ROM Available as a separate CD for DOC and as part of the Chapman & Hall Chemical Dictionaries on CD-ROM. Has graphic structure building feature, so students learn to “draw” structures.

Practice questions:

  • The best practice is to have students use DOC in context of lab assignments — e.g. look up melting point (not found in CRC).
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