Tertiary sources are excellent starting points! They consist of information synthesized from primary and secondary sources. Examples include:
These resources give you succinct overviews of your topic, explain scholarly arguments, point out interesting questions, and refer you to especially key sources.
Oxford Dictionary of Chemistry by 
CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics - CRC Press
Call Number: Click title for location and availability information!
A foundational reference text in chemistry and physics, available in print.
Dictionary of Organic Compounds by 
Organic Chemists Compounds by 
Encyclopedia of Spectroscopy and Spectrometry by Start your search for background information with these resources. Gale Virtual Reference Library includes the full text of over 100 subject encyclopedias spanning multiple disciplines, including the Mcgraw-Hill Dictionary of Science & Technology.
