Find A CAS Number: Explore A Comprehensive Guide To Substance Identification
Editor’s Note: Find a CAS number has been published today, 28th February 2023. This topic is important because a Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) number is a unique numerical identifier assigned to every chemical substance. It provides critical information about the substance’s structure, composition, and properties, enabling its identification and tracking across different databases and scientific literature.
Our team has conducted in-depth analysis and gathered valuable information to create this comprehensive guide on finding CAS numbers. We aim to provide clear and concise instructions, making it easier for our target audience to locate and utilize CAS numbers effectively.
Key Differences:
Method | Accuracy | Time |
---|---|---|
Manual Search | High | Time-consuming |
Database Search | High | Fast |
Chemical Structure Search | Moderate | Fast |
Main Article Topics:
- What is a CAS Number?
- Importance of CAS Numbers
- How to Find a CAS Number
- Common Challenges
- Best Practices
- Benefits of Using CAS Numbers
Find a CAS Number
Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) numbers are essential for identifying and tracking chemical substances. They provide critical information about a substance’s structure, composition, and properties. Here are eight key aspects to consider when finding a CAS number:
- Accuracy: Ensure the accuracy of the CAS number by verifying it against reliable sources.
- Databases: Utilize chemical databases such as SciFinder and PubChem to search for CAS numbers.
- Identifiers: CAS numbers are unique identifiers that can be used to retrieve substance-specific information.
- Nomenclature: Understanding chemical nomenclature can aid in identifying and verifying CAS numbers.
- Resources: Utilize online resources and tools to assist in finding CAS numbers, such as CAS Common Chemistry and ChemIDplus.
- Structure: CAS numbers are assigned based on the chemical structure of the substance.
- Timeliness: CAS numbers are assigned when a substance is first identified, ensuring up-to-date information.
- Uniqueness: Each CAS number is unique to a specific chemical substance, providing unambiguous identification.
These key aspects are interconnected and essential for effectively finding and utilizing CAS numbers. By considering these aspects, researchers, scientists, and professionals can accurately identify and track chemical substances for various applications, including research, development, safety assessments, and regulatory compliance.
Accuracy
In the context of finding a CAS number, accuracy is paramount. A CAS number is a unique numerical identifier assigned to every chemical substance, providing critical information about its structure, composition, and properties. Ensuring the accuracy of the CAS number is essential for its effective use in various applications, including research, development, safety assessments, and regulatory compliance.
- Reliable Sources: Verifying the CAS number against reliable sources, such as reputable databases, scientific literature, and official registries, helps ensure its accuracy and authenticity. This minimizes the risk of errors or inconsistencies that could lead to incorrect substance identification or data misinterpretation.
- Consistency: Accurate CAS numbers promote consistency in chemical information exchange and communication across different databases, research teams, and industries. It ensures that all parties are referring to the same substance, reducing confusion and errors.
- Data Integrity: Accurate CAS numbers contribute to the integrity of scientific data and research findings. By ensuring the correctness of the substance identifier, researchers can build upon existing knowledge with confidence, knowing that they are dealing with the correct chemical entity.
- Safety and Regulation: Accurate CAS numbers are crucial for safety assessments and regulatory compliance. They facilitate the identification of hazardous substances, risk assessment, and the development of appropriate safety measures and regulations.
In conclusion, ensuring the accuracy of the CAS number by verifying it against reliable sources is a critical aspect of finding a CAS number. It promotes consistency, data integrity, and supports informed decision-making in scientific research, safety evaluations, and regulatory processes.
Databases
Chemical databases play a crucial role in finding CAS numbers. They provide comprehensive collections of chemical substances, including their CAS numbers, structures, properties, and bibliographic information. Utilizing these databases is an efficient and reliable way to search for and retrieve CAS numbers.
Databases like SciFinder and PubChem are widely used by researchers, scientists, and professionals in various fields. They offer user-friendly interfaces, advanced search capabilities, and access to vast amounts of data. By leveraging these databases, users can quickly and easily search for CAS numbers using various criteria, such as substance name, molecular formula, or structure.
The importance of utilizing chemical databases for finding CAS numbers lies in their accuracy and comprehensiveness. These databases are maintained by reputable organizations and undergo rigorous quality control processes to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information they provide. Additionally, they are constantly updated with the latest scientific data, ensuring that users have access to the most current CAS numbers.
In practice, finding a CAS number using chemical databases involves a simple search process. Users can enter the substance name, molecular formula, or structure into the search field and the database will return a list of matching results. The CAS number can then be found in the substance’s detailed record.
In conclusion, utilizing chemical databases such as SciFinder and PubChem is a crucial aspect of finding CAS numbers. These databases provide accurate, comprehensive, and up-to-date information, enabling researchers, scientists, and professionals to efficiently and reliably identify and track chemical substances using their unique CAS numbers.
Database | Features | Benefits |
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SciFinder | Advanced search capabilities, comprehensive substance information, integrated with other scientific resources | Enables precise and efficient CAS number searches, provides detailed substance data, facilitates research workflows |
PubChem | Free and open access, user-friendly interface, extensive compound database | Allows broad access to CAS numbers, simplifies search process, supports research and education |
Identifiers
In the context of “find a CAS number,” the significance of CAS numbers as unique identifiers lies in their ability to retrieve comprehensive substance-specific information. Each CAS number is assigned to a specific chemical substance, providing a standardized and globally recognized way to identify and track substances across different databases and scientific literature.
- Role in Substance Identification: CAS numbers are the primary identifiers used in chemical databases, scientific publications, and regulatory documents. They enable the unambiguous identification of substances, regardless of their name or other properties, facilitating accurate data retrieval and substance tracking.
- Comprehensive Substance Information: By searching for a CAS number in databases such as SciFinder or PubChem, researchers and scientists can access a wealth of information about the substance, including its structure, properties, toxicity data, and bibliographic references. This information is crucial for understanding the substance’s behavior, potential hazards, and applications.
- Safety and Regulatory Compliance: CAS numbers play a vital role in ensuring the safe handling and use of chemicals. They are used in safety data sheets, chemical inventories, and regulatory submissions to identify substances accurately and facilitate risk assessment and compliance with regulations.
- Research and Development: CAS numbers are essential for efficient research and development processes. They enable researchers to quickly and easily find information on specific substances, track their use in different studies, and collaborate with others working on similar projects.
In summary, the unique identification capabilities of CAS numbers are central to the process of “find a CAS number.” They provide a standardized and globally recognized way to retrieve comprehensive substance-specific information, supporting research, safety assessments, regulatory compliance, and informed decision-making in various scientific and industrial domains.
Nomenclature
Chemical nomenclature, the systematic naming of chemical compounds, plays a crucial role in the process of “find a CAS number.” By understanding the principles and rules of chemical nomenclature, researchers and scientists can accurately identify and verify CAS numbers, ensuring the correct identification and tracking of chemical substances.
CAS numbers are assigned based on the chemical structure of a substance. By understanding the chemical nomenclature of a substance, it is possible to derive its CAS number. Conversely, knowing the CAS number of a substance can aid in determining its chemical structure and nomenclature.
For example, consider the chemical substance with the CAS number 9002-84-0. Using chemical nomenclature rules, we can determine that the substance is polyethylene. The systematic name for polyethylene is “[Ethene, homopolymer]” which accurately describes its structure as a polymer of ethene monomers.
Understanding chemical nomenclature also helps in verifying CAS numbers. If a CAS number is suspected to be incorrect, one can use chemical nomenclature to check if the CAS number corresponds to the expected structure of the substance. This cross-checking process helps ensure the accuracy and reliability of the CAS number.
In summary, understanding chemical nomenclature is a valuable skill for accurately identifying and verifying CAS numbers. It provides a systematic and logical approach to understanding the relationship between the chemical structure of a substance and its CAS number, facilitating effective substance identification and tracking in various scientific and industrial applications.
Understanding Chemical Nomenclature | Benefits for “Find a CAS Number” |
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Systematic naming of chemical compounds | Accurate identification of substances based on their structure |
Derivation of CAS numbers from chemical structure | Verification of CAS numbers by comparing to expected structure |
Cross-checking of CAS numbers for accuracy | Ensuring the reliability of substance identification |
Resources
In the context of “find a CAS number,” utilizing online resources and tools plays a crucial role in streamlining the process and enhancing the accuracy of CAS number identification. These resources provide comprehensive databases, search functionalities, and expert knowledge to support researchers and scientists in their efforts to locate and verify CAS numbers.
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CAS Common Chemistry:
CAS Common Chemistry is a comprehensive database that offers access to a vast collection of chemical substances, including their CAS numbers, structures, and properties. Its user-friendly interface and advanced search capabilities enable researchers to quickly and easily search for CAS numbers using various criteria, such as substance name, molecular formula, or structure. -
ChemIDplus:
ChemIDplus is a free online database maintained by the National Library of Medicine (NLM). It provides access to over 40 million chemical structures and their associated CAS numbers. ChemIDplus offers a range of search options, including exact and partial structure searches, allowing researchers to identify CAS numbers even when they have limited information about the substance.
These online resources and tools complement traditional methods of finding CAS numbers and offer several advantages. They provide up-to-date information, allow for efficient and precise searches, and facilitate the verification of CAS numbers. By utilizing these resources, researchers and scientists can streamline their workflows, enhance the accuracy of their findings, and make informed decisions based on reliable substance identification.
Structure
The relationship between the chemical structure of a substance and its CAS number is fundamental to the process of “find a CAS number.” CAS numbers are systematically assigned based on a substance’s structure, providing a direct link between the two. Understanding this connection is crucial for accurately identifying and tracking chemical substances in various scientific and industrial applications.
CAS numbers are assigned by the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) using a specific algorithm that takes into account the substance’s molecular structure. This algorithm generates a unique numerical identifier that is specific to that particular substance. By knowing the chemical structure of a substance, researchers and scientists can derive its CAS number, and vice versa. This relationship enables the cross-referencing of chemical information from different sources, ensuring consistent and accurate substance identification across databases and literature.
The practical significance of understanding the connection between chemical structure and CAS numbers lies in its applications in various fields. For example, in the pharmaceutical industry, CAS numbers are used to identify and track active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and other chemical entities throughout the drug development and manufacturing process. In the chemical industry, CAS numbers are used to manage chemical inventories, ensure regulatory compliance, and facilitate the safe handling and transportation of hazardous substances.
In summary, the connection between chemical structure and CAS numbers is essential for the effective identification and tracking of chemical substances. By understanding this relationship, researchers, scientists, and professionals can leverage CAS numbers to access comprehensive substance information, ensure data accuracy and consistency, and make informed decisions in various scientific and industrial domains.
Chemical Structure | CAS Number | Substance Name |
---|---|---|
71-43-2 | Benzene | |
64-17-5 | Ethanol | |
58-08-2 | Caffeine |
Timeliness
In the context of “find a CAS number,” the timeliness of CAS number assignment plays a crucial role in ensuring that the information associated with a substance is accurate and up-to-date. When a new substance is identified, a CAS number is assigned promptly, creating a permanent and unique identifier for that substance.
- Immediate Identification: Assigning CAS numbers at the time of substance identification ensures that the substance can be immediately tracked and managed in various databases and scientific literature. This allows researchers and scientists to access the most current information about the substance’s properties, hazards, and applications.
- Tracking Changes: Over time, new information about a substance may emerge, such as updated safety data or novel applications. The timeliness of CAS number assignment ensures that this new information can be linked to the substance’s CAS number, providing a comprehensive and up-to-date record of the substance’s properties and behavior.
- Regulatory Compliance: Assigning CAS numbers when substances are first identified facilitates regulatory compliance. Many regulations require the use of CAS numbers to identify substances accurately for safety assessments, risk management, and reporting purposes. Timely CAS number assignment ensures that substances are properly identified and tracked throughout their lifecycle, supporting compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Historical Context: CAS numbers provide a historical record of when a substance was first identified. This information can be valuable for understanding the evolution of scientific knowledge about a substance and its applications over time.
In summary, the timeliness of CAS number assignment is critical for maintaining up-to-date and accurate information about chemical substances. It enables immediate identification, tracking of changes, regulatory compliance, and provides historical context, all of which are essential for effective substance management and informed decision-making in various scientific and industrial domains.
Uniqueness
In the context of “find a CAS number,” the uniqueness of CAS numbers is paramount. Each CAS number is meticulously assigned to a specific chemical substance, establishing an unambiguous and globally recognized identification system. This unique identifier plays a pivotal role in various scientific and industrial applications.
- Precise Substance Identification: CAS numbers provide a precise and unambiguous way to identify chemical substances, regardless of their names, synonyms, or other characteristics. This unique identifier eliminates confusion and ensures accurate substance identification across different databases, scientific literature, and regulatory documents.
- Global Recognition: CAS numbers are recognized worldwide as the standard for chemical substance identification. This global recognition facilitates seamless communication and collaboration among scientists, researchers, and professionals in various fields, ensuring consistent and accurate substance identification across borders.
- Safety and Risk Assessment: The unique identification provided by CAS numbers is crucial for safety assessments and risk management of chemical substances. Accurately identifying substances using CAS numbers enables researchers and regulators to access comprehensive safety data, hazard information, and regulatory requirements, supporting informed decision-making and risk mitigation strategies.
- Tracking and Monitoring: CAS numbers enable effective tracking and monitoring of chemical substances throughout their lifecycle. They provide a consistent and reliable way to track substances from production and distribution to use, disposal, and remediation, facilitating responsible substance management and environmental protection.
In summary, the uniqueness of CAS numbers is a cornerstone of the “find a CAS number” process. It provides unambiguous substance identification, facilitates global collaboration, supports safety assessments, and enables effective tracking and monitoring of chemical substances, contributing to scientific advancement, regulatory compliance, and environmental stewardship.
Frequently Asked Questions About CAS Numbers
This section provides answers to commonly asked questions about CAS numbers, offering concise and informative responses to help clarify misconceptions and address concerns.
Question 1: What is a CAS number?
A CAS number is a unique numerical identifier assigned to every chemical substance by the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS). It provides a standardized and globally recognized way to identify and track chemical substances across different databases, scientific literature, and regulatory documents.
Question 2: Why are CAS numbers important?
CAS numbers play a crucial role in ensuring accurate and consistent substance identification. They facilitate the exchange of scientific information, support safety assessments, enable regulatory compliance, and aid in environmental monitoring and stewardship.
Question 3: How are CAS numbers assigned?
CAS numbers are assigned by CAS based on a substance’s molecular structure using a specific algorithm. This systematic approach ensures that each substance has a unique and permanent identifier.
Question 4: Can a substance have multiple CAS numbers?
In general, each substance has a single unique CAS number. However, in some cases, different forms or isotopes of the same substance may be assigned different CAS numbers to distinguish them.
Question 5: Where can I find CAS numbers?
CAS numbers can be found in various chemical databases, such as SciFinder, PubChem, and ChemSpider. Additionally, they are often included in scientific literature, patents, and safety data sheets.
Question 6: How can I verify the accuracy of a CAS number?
To verify the accuracy of a CAS number, you can use online resources like CAS Common Chemistry or ChemIDplus to search for the substance and check if the CAS number matches. Additionally, comparing the CAS number to information in reliable scientific sources can help confirm its accuracy.
Summary: CAS numbers are essential identifiers for chemical substances, providing a standardized and globally recognized way to ensure accurate substance identification and tracking. Understanding the importance and usage of CAS numbers is crucial for effective chemical management and scientific research.
Transition: To further explore the topic of CAS numbers, the next article section will discuss the benefits of using CAS numbers in various applications.
Tips for Effectively Finding CAS Numbers
To optimize your search for CAS numbers, consider employing the following strategies:
Tip 1: Utilize Comprehensive Databases
Chemical databases such as SciFinder and PubChem offer extensive collections of chemical substances along with their corresponding CAS numbers. These databases provide user-friendly interfaces and advanced search functionalities, enabling efficient and accurate CAS number retrieval.
Tip 2: Leverage Chemical Nomenclature
Understanding chemical nomenclature principles can aid in identifying and verifying CAS numbers. By comprehending the systematic naming of chemical compounds, you can derive CAS numbers from chemical structures and vice versa, enhancing the accuracy of your search.
Tip 3: Explore Online Resources
Online resources like CAS Common Chemistry and ChemIDplus provide valuable tools for finding CAS numbers. These resources offer comprehensive databases, advanced search options, and access to expert knowledge, streamlining the CAS number identification process.
Tip 4: Consider Chemical Structure
CAS numbers are assigned based on the chemical structure of substances. By analyzing the molecular structure of a substance, you can derive its CAS number using specific algorithms or online tools designed for this purpose.
Tip 5: Ensure Timeliness
CAS numbers are assigned when substances are first identified, ensuring up-to-date information. Verifying the CAS number against reliable sources and scientific literature helps ensure that you are working with the most current and accurate information.
Tip 6: Verify Uniqueness
Each CAS number is unique to a specific chemical substance, providing unambiguous identification. Cross-checking the CAS number with different databases and sources helps confirm its accuracy and ensures that you have the correct identifier for the substance of interest.
Summary: By following these tips, you can effectively find CAS numbers and ensure the accuracy and reliability of your substance identification. Utilizing comprehensive databases, understanding chemical nomenclature, leveraging online resources, considering chemical structure, ensuring timeliness, and verifying uniqueness will empower you to successfully navigate the process of finding CAS numbers.
Transition: To further enhance your understanding of CAS numbers and their applications, the following article section will explore the benefits of using CAS numbers in various domains.
Conclusion
Throughout this comprehensive guide, we have explored the topic of “find a CAS number,” emphasizing its importance and providing practical strategies for effective CAS number identification. CAS numbers serve as unique and globally recognized identifiers for chemical substances, enabling accurate substance tracking and information retrieval across various scientific disciplines and industrial applications.
Understanding and utilizing CAS numbers are crucial for researchers, scientists, and professionals involved in chemical research, safety assessments, regulatory compliance, and environmental monitoring. By leveraging the tips and resources outlined in this guide, individuals can efficiently find CAS numbers, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of their substance identification. This, in turn, contributes to the advancement of scientific knowledge, responsible chemical management, and the protection of human health and the environment.