A GUIDE TO THE PRINTED BEILSTEIN
Beilstein's Handbuch der Organischen Chemie is a handbook of
carbon compounds. This work includes data published over set periods
in the scientific literature on the preparation and properties of all
carbon compounds. There are six series--the Basic Series and five
Supplementary Series; each series is subdivided into 27 nominal volumes
containing many, many physical volumes. Most of this information is now
available online through Beilstein CrossFire
Period of Literature
Series Abbreviation Completely Covered
Basic Series H up to 1910
Supplementary Series I E I 1910-1919
Supplementary Series II E II 1920-1929
Supplementary Series III E III 1930-1949 (v. 1-16 only)
Supplementary Series III/IV E III/IV 1930-1959 (v. 17-27 only)
Supplementary Series IV E IV 1950-1959 (v. 1-16 only)
Supplementary Series V E V 1960-1979 (English)
Contents
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Beilstein's descriptions of the carbon compounds include: 1)
constitution and configuration, 2) natural occurrence and isolation
from natural products, 3) preparation, formation, and purification, 4)
structural and energy parameters of the molecule, 5) physical
properties, 6) chemical properties, 7) characterization and analysis,
and 8) salts and addition compounds.
Description
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The classification of subject matter in each of the Supplementary
Series is the same as that chosen for the 27 volumes of the Basic
Series. Any particular volume of each Supplementary Series always
contains the same classes of compounds as the volume of the Basic
Series with the same number.
The classification of compounds into compound classes and the
arrangement of the individual compounds within these classes is
determined by the Beilstein System. The compounds viewed as a whole
are divided into 3 major groups in the handbook: 1) Acyclic Compounds,
Volumes 1-4; 2) Isocyclic Compounds, Volumes 5-16; and 3) Heterocyclic
Compounds, Volumes 17-27.
Coordinating references at the top of each odd-numbered page of
the handbook supplements allow the user to locate related compounds
described in earlier series. In turn, if there have been new
developments regarding a specific compound in the period of the
Supplementary Series, the coordinating page numbers can help to access
the new information by moving forward through the supplements using the
Basic Series (H) page number.
Articles
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The heading of each article gives the most important names of the
compound first. The remainder of the heading consists of the empirical
formula, the constitutional formula, and possibly a back reference to
a previous series. The text of the article is uniformly arranged in
subject groups. In general, an article in Beilstein contains the
following information about a compound: molecular and structural
formula, occurrence, formation, preparation, physical properties,
chemical reactions, applications, chemical behavior, addition compounds
and salts.
Indexes
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In 1991-92, the Beilstein Centennial Index volumes appeared,
consisting of a General Compound Name Index (Volume 28) and a General
Formula Index (Volume 29). These cover all volumes through
Supplementary Series IV (1771-1959).
A chemical name index and formula index is also found now
at the end of each Beilstein volume.
Arrangement in the Chemistry Library
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In the Chemistry Library, the Beilstein Handbook is arranged by
volume number, then chronologically by series. For example, Volume 1
Basic Series; Volume 1 Supplementary Series I; Volume 1 Supplementary
Series II; Volume 1 Supplementary Series III; Volume 1 Supplementary
Series IV; Volume 2 Basic Series; Volume 2 Supplementary Series I; etc.
This is indicated by a label at the top of the spine in the following
format:
1 1 1 1 1 2 2 etc.
H I II III IV H I
References to Beilstein
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The CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics and Lange's Handbook of
Chemistry both provide references to Beilstein. In the CRC, Section C,
Table of Physical Constants of Organic Compounds, Column "Ref.", the
"B" refers to Beilstein. For example, B71, 12 means page 12 of the
first supplement to Volume 7 in Beilstein. In Lange's Handbook, Table
7-4, Physical Constants of Organic Compounds, Column "Beil. Ref.", the
roman numeral refers to the volume and the number refers to the page.
For example, V-586 refers to Volume 5, page 586. Beilstein
Current Facts, CrossFire, and the Beilstein Online Database also lead to
references in the printed Beilstein.
For Further Information
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For more detailed instruction, there are several books available
to make using Beilstein easier:
QD 251 How to Use Beilstein
.B43 H6
1978
QD 251 Beilstein Dictionary: German-English
.B43 B44
1979
QD 5 Dictionary of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
.D47 Vol. 1 is German-English
1978
In addition, several useful pamphlets from the Beilstein Institute
are shelved with the Beilstein volumes in the Reference Room.
Useful Terms
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Auflage = edition Gesamtregister = collective index
B. = how to make H = Hauptwerk (Basic Series)
Band = volume Kp = boiling point
D = density s. = p. (page)
Dritter, Drittes = 3rd Sachregister = subject index
Erganzungswerk = Supplementary Series (compound name index)
Erster = 1st Seite = page
F = melting point Teil = part
Formelregister = formula index Vierter = 4th
Funfter = 5th Zweiter = 2nd
GW 8/96
CCIIM: 33-01.895
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