Is there still a reason to search for organic compounds in Beilstein Crossfire?
Yes. SciFinder and Beilstein are complementary resources, and although there is some overlap the two are quite different in the ways they scan and index the literature, the ways they register compounds and index reactions, and in the dates they cover. Beilstein is more useful for obtaining physicochemical data, preparation/reaction references, and for access to older (pre-1980) journal literature — literature references in Beilstein go back as far as the 18th century. SciFinder is more useful for its very thorough coverage of the literature and patents from 1967 forward and its comprehensive registration of all types of chemical compounds and structures. CAS also scans far more journals than Beilstein does now. As a rule of thumb, prefer SciFinder for substances after 1967 (after 1985 for reactions); prefer Beilstein for substances and reactions before 1980. For organic and medicinal chemists, it is always advisable to search both databases for complete coverage of organic compounds a
