Resource Type: Abstract Database
Access Range: Campus Network Only
Access  Address: Online Access Entry ｜ MethodsNow (Analysis) Access

The CAS SciFinder Discovery Platform (Academic), produced by the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS), is an authoritative research platform for chemistry and related disciplines, delivering comprehensive, reliable information and analytic tools. Curated by CAS scientists worldwide, the platform aggregates and indexes global patents and scholarly literature across 180+ countries, 50+ languages, and 109 patent authorities, covering chemistry, biology, medicine, materials, food science, applied chemistry, chemical engineering, agriculture, polymers, physics, and more. Content types include journals, patents, conference papers, theses/dissertations, books, technical reports, reviews, preprints, and web resources. Platform data are available from 1907–present.

The Academic platform integrates three solutions: CAS SciFindern, CAS Analytical Methods, and CAS Formulus.

• CAS SciFindern — industry-leading discovery tool
  Coverage includes 59 million chemistry-related publications, 204 million substances, 150 million reactions, 1.39 million patent-derived Markush structures, 720 million biosequences, plus commercial and regulatory information; earliest records trace back to 1840. Supports tasks such as literature preparation for grants, experiment planning, collaborator discovery, retrosynthetic analysis, teaching, and more.
• CAS Analytical Methods — curated analytical procedures
  Search, compare, and directly apply lab-ready analytical methods drawn from the literature; useful for forensics, food science, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, environmental studies, etc.
• CAS Formulus — formulation workflows
  Curated formulation data and processes (pharma, cosmetics, food, agrochemicals, inks, coatings, etc.) to search formulations and processes, components/compatibilities, design formulations, and explore compliance.

Access & accounts

• Web access via IP + personal username/password (sign-in required).
• Registration: Create a new account with your email (institutional address recommended). Users registered in 2024 or earlier may continue using their existing credentials.
  • New users: scan the QR code to submit your details; within 48 hours you’ll receive a registration link by email—complete registration via that link.

• • Please register on campus; for off-campus registration, contact the Library

User guidance & policies

• Inactivity timeout: sessions close after 20 minutes of no activity.
• Solutions are updated frequently; watch Library notices or CAS (www.cas.org) for updates.
• Intellectual property & fair use: academic use only; real-name use; do not share accounts; do not use at non-SMU institutions; avoid excessive downloading (see CAS policy: https://www.cas.org/legal/infopolicy).
• Registration names: enter Last Name = family name (Hanyu Pinyin, full); First Name = given name (Hanyu Pinyin, full)—otherwise your account may be deactivated.
• Troubleshooting: first check your browser/network; if unresolved, email china@acs-i.org or contact the Library.

Additional access (2021 promotional modules): PatentPak and MethodsNow are available to registered SciFinder users.

Attachment: Database User Guide