Book and Media Review pubs.acs.org/jchemeduc
Review of The Merck Index: An Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs, and Biologicals, 15th Edition Robert E. Buntrock* Buntrock Associates, Orono, Maine 04473, United States sors. Libraries at all levels should acquire print editions as well as access to the online product.
The Merck Index: An Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs, and Biologicals, 15th edition,edited by Maryadele J. O’Neil with Patricia E. Heckelman, et al. Royal Society of Chemistry: Cambridge, U.K., 2013. 2708 pp. ISBN: 978-1849736701 (hardcover). $150.
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Corresponding Author
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his venerable and valuable reference work has been a personal bookshelf and library fixture for over a century and has not been reviewed in this Journal for several decades.1 The 15th edition of The Merck Index features several changes compared to the 14th and previous editions. More than 500 new “monographs” (entries) have been added for a total of more than 10,000 that cover 18,000 chemical substances. (Some monographs list additional compounds related to the named substance.) In addition, more than 3500 monographs have been updated. The two dozen valuable yet seldom appreciated Supplemental Tables (including vaccines, medicinal radioisotopes, and conversion factors) have been enhanced with nonproprietary pharmaceutical name stems. An increase of 50 brings the total of named organic reactions to more than 500. To search the volume, it is suggested to start with the name index. Additional cross-indices include CAS Registry Numbers, chemical formulas, and biologic or therapeutic activity. Each monograph includes the Merck Index name and, when available, synonyms, trade names, CAS Registry Number, molecular weight and formula, elemental analysis, toxicity data or references, and references to preparation, including patent numbers. A one-year complimentary electronic subscription to the Merck Index Online is included with the purchase of a personal volume. This valuable resource, with more than 11,500 monographs, will be updated quarterly and includes monographs from previous editions deleted for the 15th edition. Searching can be done at two levels, primary and quick. With the latter, names, molecular weights, and molecular formulas can be searched. Items to be searched in primary mode include almost any data or information in the database. Data elements can be searched either as exact values or by range. Structure searchingexact, substructure, or similarityis also available. Other changes have been made for the 15th edition. Unlike the 14th, there is no complimentary CD even though the price has increased by $25. The Merck Index staff prepared this edition, but both editing and publication have been assumed by the Royal Society of Chemistry. The RSC will also be producing the quarterly updates of the online edition. Pricing decisions have yet to be made on the cost for the online access after the complimentary period expires. Libraries will most likely also be interested in access to the online file. Print copies are highly recommended for chemists, other scientists, health professionals, students, teachers, and profes© 2013 American Chemical Society and Division of Chemical Education, Inc.
AUTHOR INFORMATION
REFERENCES
(1) Crain, D. Review of The Merck Index, 9th Edition. J. Chem. Educ. 1982, 59, 804.
Published: August 19, 2013 1115
dx.doi.org/10.1021/ed4005613 | J. Chem. Educ. 2013, 90, 1115−1115
