How to Search

Then click on the button "Search Now". Those products will be listed which contain all search strings in the name.

Improving search

1. Too much products found
Please start a new search increasing selectivity by using stricter criteria.

• Use three search strings.
• Use longer search strings. Replace naphth by naphthyl or naphthylam for example.
• Use search strings which are more characteristic for the product wanted.
• Searching for short names use the option "Display short product names only".

2. No product found
Please start a new search using looser criteria.

• Check for typing errors first. Use correct English spelling.
• Use shorter search strings.
• Use less search strings, probably only one.
• Type only one search string in each input field.
• Make sure that you did not use spaces within the search string or at the end. A space is handled by the program like a normal character.
• Avoid questionable search strings such as dimethyl / di-methyl.

Start a new search by product name

Display short product names only
Sometimes it is quite difficult to find short product names e.g. Pyridine. They are covered by all the derivatives which contain the search string. (In the case of pyridine there are more than 500 derivatives). Use the option "short product names only" and all long names will be suppressed. Only short names are displayed which are not longer than the search string + 8 characters. (16 characters using 2 search strings, 24 characters using 3 search strings).

Only one search string in each input field
You can use up to three independent search strings. Please type every search strings in a separate input field. The program will display those products which contain all search strings, independent on the sequence. E.g. type benzyl in field 1 and acet in field 2. The program will list Benzyl acetate and Acetic acid benzyl ester, as well.
Typing benzyl acet in one field you will get only Benzyl acetate.

Avoid questionable search strings
Many products are named differently and the spelling may be different, too. Buyer's Guide Chem mostly uses the product designation given by the suppliers. Choose only such search strings which are not doubtful. There are some examples:

• Antimony trioxide, Antimony oxide or Antimony(III) oxide?
  Search for antimon and oxide.
• Benzyl acetate or Acetic acid benzyl ester?
  Search for benzyl and acet.
• di-Potassium phosphate, Dipotassium phosphate or Potassium phosphate dibasic?
  Search for potass and phosph.
• 4-Nitrophenol, p-Nitrophenol or Paranitrophenol?
  Search for nitro and phenol.
• iso-Propylamine or Isoproylamine?
  Search for propyl and amine, and for iso if necessary.
• Nickel(II) chloride 6-hydrate or Nickel chloride hexahydrate?
  Search for nickel and chlor, and for hydr if necessary.

In some cases two independent searches may necessary. There are a few examples:

• Dodecanal - Laurylaldehyde
• Isopentyl bromide - 1-Bromo-3-methylbutane
• Ferrous - Iron(II) / Ferric - Iron(III)

Searching by CAS number can overcome the problem caused by different names.

Product names
Buyers' Guide Chem contains mainly products under their chemical names. Trade names such as Red 108 or Ziram, or group names, such as pesticides, polyesters, pigments can also be found in the Guide. The choice of names depends mainly on the manufacturer.

Language
Buyer's Guide Chem uses English product names and group designations only. Please select search strings accordingly.

Capitalization
Capitalization is not necessary. Both lower case and upper case characters may be used; the program does not differentiate between the two.

Greek characters
can not be used because the browsers can neither read nor write them. They are paraphrased (alpha, beta ..) in the listings. They should not be used as search strings.