CAS stands for chemical abstract service. The American Chemical Society maintains this database, which records information about all types of substances, including those used in research and development. The CAS number is one of the most widely used ways to find substances and find information about their properties. In this article, we’ll explore what a CAS number is and how to find it. This information is useful in laboratories and other environments that use scientific documents and patents.
CAS number is a numerical identifier
A CAS number is a unique numerical identifier assigned to a chemical. Traditionally, chemical compounds were identified by their molecular formula or their local convention. These names could vary widely, so a single substance may have several historical and generic names. The CAS number was created to provide a consistent and reliable international designation for identifying chemicals. This system helps both the public and the chemical industry by facilitating access to information and minimizing the need for multiple lists of the same substance.
The CAS number is a 10-digit numeric identifier for chemicals. The last three digits are check numbers. The Chemical Abstracts Service assigns CAS numbers sequentially as they are entered into their database. The CAS number is not related to the chemical’s formula or compound, but it does identify it as a chemical. In addition to chemical formulas and compounds, CAS numbers are also used to identify bioactive substances.
It is a registered trademark of the American Chemical Society
ACS is a leading source of scientific information, publishing peer-reviewed journals, national conferences, and the weekly trade journal Chemical & Engineering News. ACS also organizes and hosts smaller meetings and educational activities, and has been in existence since 1867. ACS’s primary source of income is the Chemical Abstracts Service, which provides a database of chemicals and related data around the world. ACS supports various educational and outreach activities through the ACS Web site.
The American Chemical Society may seek injunctive relief in the event that it fails to meet its obligations under this Agreement. The provisions of this Section will supersede any prior agreement between the parties regarding the subject matter. The American Chemical Society will not be responsible for any failure to comply with these provisions if the breach occurred more than two years after the cause of action arose. Moreover, any notices or claims made to the American Chemical Society must be in writing, with a copy of the receipt as evidence.
It is a popular method of searching substances
CAS numbers are assigned to chemical compounds. They may be part of the product name or the chemical name is only part of the more comprehensive chemical name. Substances may have multiple CAS numbers, including cis-trans isomers, stereoisomers, and unspecified isomers. In some cases, the CAS number represents a mixture of two substances. Some substances have multiple CAS numbers because of tautomerism, a process that creates two distinct, but interchangeable forms of a substance.
CAS has created software to facilitate the search of substances. The first CAS software program was STN Express, and it was aimed at making online searching simpler for users of personal computers. STN Express was designed with information specialists in mind, but it also captured the attention of chemists. It enabled users to automatically log in to STN and search without learning the STN command language. The software also made structure searching easier by using structured templates.
It is used in laboratory environments
Today’s modern laboratories often include contiguous work areas, such as wet labs, computer laboratories, instruments, write-up areas, and offices. These workspaces often differ in terms of the amount and type of hazardous materials they contain, so it’s important to address the needs of each area while maintaining a culture of safety. Here’s how to keep your laboratory as safe as possible:
Whenever possible, researchers should never work alone in a laboratory environment. Additional eyes can spot hazards and provide faster support in case of emergency. In cases where researchers must work alone, modifications to the policy should be made. For example, researchers should notify their PI or supervisor before entering the space and when leaving. They should also be aware of the surroundings, as they must communicate with the nearby labs. In high-hazard laboratories, lone worker devices should be considered.
It is a key reference in business transactions involving chemicals
A CAS number is a universal and highly useful reference when doing business involving chemicals. This five to ten-character string is the equivalent of a social security number for a chemical compound. It has made technical communication easier and simplified the identification process. CAS numbers are easy to remember, and can be found in several ways. The example below shows a popular way to find a CAS number.
It is used in education
To protect the health and safety of your students, you must obtain and maintain a copy of the SDS for any hazardous chemicals or goods that are used in education. This information is available to anyone who uses the chemicals in the school, and it is essential that you keep copies in a central location. The SDSs should be stored in a folder called the Hazardous Substances and Dangerous Goods Register. These records contain key information about all the chemicals used in education, and they must be kept in a central place.
CAS numbers are used to identify the different types of chemicals. CAS numbers can range from five to ten digits, and are assigned to new chemical compounds. These numbers are not related to the chemical’s structure, but are useful in identifying the chemical’s uses. For example, ethanol has more than one name, including ethyl alcohol, ethyl hydrate, absolute alcohol, grain alcohol, and hydroxyethane.