Merck Index

Merck Index is an encyclopedia of chemicals, drugs and biologicals with over 10,000 monographs on single substances or groups of related compounds. It also includes an appendix with monographs on organic named reactions. The book is published by the pharmaceutical company Merck, but is non-promotional in nature. It was first published in 1889 by the German chemical company E. Merck and was primarily used as a sales catalog for Merck's growing list of chemicals it sold. The American subsidiary was established two years later and continued to publish it.

History

The first edition of the Merck's Index was published in 1889 by the German chemical company E. Merck. The American subsidiary was established two years later. The publication was converted into a reference work on drugs in 1896. The early editions did not include the patent information and the entries were less detailed. The editorial staff expanded to include Rorer and Spitzer, who prepared the fifth and sixth editions, respectively.

Content

The Merck Index contains over 10,000 monographs. Each entry includes a numeric identifier, a name and synonyms, a structural formula, a bibliographic citation and physical and/or chemical properties and uses. The book also includes an appendix with monographs on organic named reactions.

Editions

The Merck Index has been published regularly since 1889. The second edition was published in 1896. The third edition was published in 1907. The fourth edition was published in 1930. The fifth edition was published in 1940. The sixth edition was published in 1952. The seventh edition was published in 1960. The eighth edition was published in 1968. The ninth edition was published in 1976. The tenth edition was published in 1983. The eleventh edition was published in 1989. The twelfth edition was published in 1996. The thirteenth edition was published in 2001. The fourteenth edition was published in 2006. The fifteenth edition was published in 2013.

See also

• List of pharmaceutical companies
• Pharmaceutical industry
• Pharmacology
• Chemistry

Merck Index Resources
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