Short Review about the 6th Edition UV/Vis+ Spectra Data Base CD-ROM (2008)
The whole body of the UV/Vis+ Spectra Data Base is an invaluable tool to quickly find the most reliable and updated information about absorption cross-sections, spectral characteristics and/or photochemistry of a huge number of important molecules and radicals, particularly those relevant to atmospheric and environmental studies.
The Data Base project is a non-profit project, and therefore does not have all the functionalities that could be encountered in other systems. This is precisely what makes us, the generators of new data, feel the obligation to collaborate in order to improve its content. The database is a work in continuous progress and it deserves all our cooperation.
The content is exposed in a number of categories, which reflect rather accurately the type of substance treated, though in my opinion, radicals should have their own entry in order not to be buried together with many other molecules.
It is nevertheless, easy to work with the database, its menu is very friendly and it takes no more than a couple of minutes to get acquainted with the whole content.
In general, the work done and the service offered is absolutely appreciated by the scientific community.
Gustavo
Argüello (Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina), July 2009.
Short
Review on the 6th Edition of the UV/Vis+ Spectra Data Base CD-ROM by A. Noelle, G.K. Hartmann, A. Fahr, D. Lary, S. Le Calve, J.J. Orlando, A.C. Vandaele, R.P. Wayne, C.Y.R. Wu
The UV/Vis+ Spectra Data Base operates on-line since 2000 and every one or two years a mirror of the on-line database on CD-ROM is published. The 6th edition of the UV/Vis+
Spectra Data Base was published in October 2008 and compiles photochemical data in the gas, liquid, and solid phases of a large number of stable organic and inorganic species as well as radicals. The spectral information, which includes mainly absorption cross sections and quantum yields, covers the ultraviolet, visible, and, in a lesser extent, the near infrared regions. The division of the database by 23 groups of substances is an efficient way of finding what the user is looking for.
The interdisciplinary of this photochemistry database is well-known in the scientific community and provides an excellent interaction between different research areas. So, this database is an excellent tool for scientists who investigate on different fields such as atmospheric chemistry, astrophysics, agriculture, analytical chemistry, environmental chemistry, medicine, remote sensing, etc.
A proof of the feedback between the scientific advisory group and the database users is that the UV/Vis+
Spectra Data Base is constantly getting updated with data from published papers and provided from the users. Links to the data through the publisher is also of great use for the user.
As a user of the UV/Vis+ Spectra Data Base, I greatly appreciate the effort to maintain and update the on-line database with more interesting photochemical
data.
Elena Jiménez (University of Castilla-La Mancha, Spain), September 2009.
Short review about the 6th
edition of the UV/VIS+ Spectra Data Base
This
database contains absorption cross sections and quantum yields of many
species under atmospheric conditions whose knowledge are essential for an
accurate determination of photolysis rates, which are in turn important
parameters for the chemical models of the atmosphere.
This
database offers therefore a unique collection of spectroscopic and
photochemical information of utmost interest to atmospheric scientists.
The
database is organized such that accessing the data is achieved in a very
simple, quick, and efficient way. The chronological ordering of the data (instead
of alphabetical) as well as the dual finding mode -by categories or by CAS
number- represents very useful and practical functionalities.
I
greatly appreciate the fact that raw data initially coming from the
literature are given, also with the direct link to their associated
publication and hence to their original source. Old references for which no
dataset is available are also archived, giving the opportunity to perform a
detailed bibliographic review. This gives to the user a guarantee of
transparency and independence of the compilation.
Such
a non-profit initiative should be highly encouraged through support from the
contributors and help from the users. A database is a work in constant
evolution, and continuing efforts to improve and extend it must be pursued.
Sophie Fally (Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy, Brussels, Belgium), December 2009.
Review
of UV/Vis+
Spectra Data Base, 7th Edition (2010)
In
its present seventh edition, the UV/Vis+
Spectra Data Base and
its associated UV/Vis+
The
use of this data base as a compact disk readable on a computer connected to
internet bestows a great advantage of hyperlinks to the original papers in
those cases in which the sources permit such access. In such a case, the
computer connects automatically to the particular sources – journal web
site, author’s web site, et cetera – at which the relevant publication
is available. There is an internally linked access to data on the disk based
on a search through Chemical Abstract number of a particular compound, but
no author index that might anyhow be of marginal utility. For journals and
other depositories that do not permit direct access, the library of an
institution or organisation typically enables electronic access according to
the bibliographic data located through this data base.
The
spectra
service, also
part of the information on the compact disk, presents lists of
absorption coefficients of compounds in small increments of wave length or
wavenumber, according to what authors included in their paper and provided
to this compilation. The entire data base is an invaluable resource that
enables one rapidly to locate reliable and current information about
absorption cross sections, spectral and photochemical characteristics of
important molecules and radicals, including many organic dyes. These data
are particularly useful in connexion with research on atmospheric and
environmental topics because so many oxide, peroxide and hydroxide species
are here included.
Anybody
who is undertaking research in spectrometry involving molecular electronic
J. F. Ogilvie, Universidad de Costa Rica, and Simon Fraser University, Canada, June 2010.
Review
of science-softCon UV/Vis+
Spectra Data Base (UV/Vis+ Photochemistry Database) 7th
Edition (2010),
Author: A. Noelle et al; Honorary
Editor: J. Orphal
The UV/Vis+ Photochemistry Database, 7th Edition, includes complete references for the content and in some cases a web-link to the original documents. The database is split into two categorizes: 1) The literature service: It provides spectra data sheets with information concerning publication citation, important parameters, such as quantum yield, absorption cross-section, and extinction coefficients, all well organized at the investigated temperatures, and 2) the spectra service, which provides photochemical information and the tabulated UV-Vis spectral data. The database provides easy access, and compounds can be located based on alphabetical order, substance group, and the CAS number.
When searching for a specific spectrum of a compound (benzyl radical), one does not immediately find the spectrum itself, but rather information about the absorption cross-section at particular wavelengths. The same applies to other compound classes. This information is very relevant and important for atmospheric or environmental photochemists, but for molecular (organic) photochemists, it would generally be preferable to also have quick access to a full UV-Vis spectrum, or selected absorption maxima and their corresponding extinction coefficients. Fortunately, this “full” information is available for other classes of compounds, namely dyes, where complete information for both, absorption and emission spectra, is contained in the database. It would be nice to implement the same information throughout the entire database, which calls for additional contributors for this important and highly promising ongoing project for the photochemical
community.
Werner M. Nau and Hamdy El Sheshtawy; Jacobs University Bremen, Germany, October 2010.
Review
of the "UV/Vis+
Spectra Data Base" (7th edition, ISBN 978-3-00-030970-0)
This
database contains more than 5700 data sheets of about 900 compounds and
covers most compounds frequently encountered. In general, the database is
very user friendly and easy to use. It may serve as an excellent source of
UV/Vis spectra for people who needs a quick check on what has been published
in the literature. I appreciate the tremendous effort that was put into this
project to make this available and serve the community.
Strong Points:
| 1. Easy access through the internet or by using the CD-ROM. |
| 2. Clear listing of publications, data sheet, and spectrum (listed in X-Y format). |
| 3. Listed spectrum can easily be plotted using commercial software. |
| 4. Compounds may be searched by CAS number or by categories. |
| 1. The completeness of the data base might need further improvement. I searched a few compounds (SO, CH3O, CH3OO, and H2O) and found that at least some papers that I know were unlisted. |
| 2.
I also found that in the "atomic gas" category, there
is no list of spectrum. |
| 3. Although one can search by the CAS number, it would be nice that one can search by chemical formula, with the option to include additional elements. For example, the search function in the Chemistry Web-book of the NIST database is quite flexible. |
| 4. Although one can easily use commercially available software to plot the spectrum using the provided X-Y list in "spectrum", it would be nice to have both the list and the actual spectrum. Sometimes, the grid provided is not fine enough to show the details. |
| 5. I noticed that some papers are already linked to the original paper, but most are unlinked. I understand that there might be problems with copyright. However, if the paper cannot be linked directly, it would be convenient to link the paper to the publisher's web listing. If the reader's organization subscribes this journal, he will have access to the paper directly. A DOI number would also be useful. |
Yuan-Pern
Lee, Chair Professor
of Applied Chemistry, National Chiao Tung University, Taiwan (November 2010)
Review of the science-softCon “UV/Vis+ Spectra Data Base” (8th Edition) (2011)
– ISBN 978-3-00-036264-4
By
A.Nölle, G.K. Hartmann, A. Fahr, D. Lary, S. Le Calvé, Y.P. Lee, P.
Limao-Vieira, F.J. Martin-Torres, J.J. Orlando, F. Salama, A.C. Vandaele,
R.P. Wayne, C.Y.R. Wu, J.B. Halpern.
This
data base is the result, continuously updated, of a non-profit initiative
gathering a broad scientific community to build and continuously improve and
extend this UV/Vis+ Spectra Data Base.
In
its 8th Edition, it provides information (bibliographic and
spectral) about more than nine hundred chemical compounds, including more
than fifty free radicals, concerning mostly their photoabsorption spectra in
the near infrared, visible, near to extreme UV spectral regions. Such a tool
is extremely useful to a broad “spectrum” of research communities
involved in widely spread areas such as analytical chemistry, photochemistry,
atmospheric and environmental chemistry, astrophysics, biochemistry and
fundamental research in chemistry and physics.
This
data base is well organized giving very easy access to the spectroscopic
data by a simple “mouse click” using the CD-ROM. The compounds are
carefully classified into 27 substance groups and can be located as based on
alphabetical order, molecular formula and/or CAS number.
Besides
the spectral information (cross section or extinction coefficient as a
function of wavelength or wavenumber) for a given compound this data base
could be improved by displaying the spectrum itself, particularly for the
numerous compounds represented by several spectra in this data base. This
would allow the user to make a critical comparison of the data.
The spectral region covered by this data base includes ionization phenomena, dissociation with production of neutral radicals, etc… occurring in the far and extreme UV. Though this data base covers the spectroscopy of neutral radicals (this part could be improved), it doesn’t mention the spectral data about ions (or ionized radicals) for which an increasing number of data are available owing to increasing interest for these species.
R.
Locht, University of Liege, Belgium, (November 2011)
Many positive aspects may be noted about this database. Clearly, it is really a very helpful and useful source of information on spectral properties of molecules and radicals. The material is quite well-presented and that it provides the original literature references allows users to access the original data and that is good.
Review
of the CD-ROM "UV/Vis+ Spectra Data base", 8th
Edition (ISBN 978-3-00-036264-4)
This 8th edition provides very useful information over many hundreds of chemical compounds, including free radicals, concerning their absorption spectra involving electronic transitions. Of special interest, photoelectron spectra of many compounds are available.
The data can be searched by names in 27 categories as well as by their CAS number. The data are given in numerical form when possible, allowing users to draw the spectra by using any kind of graphical programme available. The coverage of the literature is very complete with very recent as well as old data.
For many compounds, a direct link to the original literature is provided when the CD-ROM is used with a computer connected to the Internet.
The data provided will be of great interest to workers active in many fields of such as, astrophysics, atmospheric chemistry, biochemistry, fundamental research in chemistry and physics,
photochemistry.
Jacques Delwiche, University of Liège, Belgium, (December 2011)
Review
of UV/Vis+ Spectra Database, 8th
edition (ISBN 978-3-00-036264-4)
The
science-softCon spectral database provides a compilation of references to
published spectra of a large number of gaseous and dissolved compounds.
Particularly impressive is the extensive range of compounds in the database,
including the absorption spectra of ionic compounds, atomic gases, VOCs,
inorganic gases, radicals, and many larger organic molecules such as
pesticides, major environmental pollutants, and dyes. The listed spectra
extend from the near-IR to the vacuum-UV and photolysis quantum yields are
provided where available.
This
extensive collection of references to spectra is an important tool for
scientists working in disciplines such as atmospheric science, combustion
science, spectroscopy, and analytical chemistry, allowing them to find
relevant spectra and references without having to search the primary
literature directly. Full details of references, including the title of the
article, are listed in chronological order for each compound. In addition,
hyperlinks to many of the references expedite retrieving the original
articles. Spectral data are provided in many cases, and spectra are
available in graphical form for a smaller proportion of the compounds. A
database search feature makes finding a given compound a quick and
straightforward matter. Where the user is more interested in classes of
compounds, these are logically grouped according to functional group or type
of compound.
If
the range of compounds is the most important feature of the database, some
weaknesses of the database are also apparent. Where there are a large number
of compounds in a given category, it can sometimes take a while to find a
particular compound amid the large amount of information on the page. More
importantly, the information provided is somewhat uneven for different
compounds, and abstracts, hyperlinks, and spectral data are not consistently
available. Graphs of spectra are too infrequent and do not follow a
consistent format. The ability to quickly visualise absorption spectra is
especially valuable in many contexts and would make the database more
broadly useful. These criticisms aside, the database continues to provide a
valuable resource to the community.