A Chemical Structure search is conducted in the field of chemistry and pharmaceutical sciences wherein the research interest is primarily focused on the chemical aspect of the molecules and their discovered utility.
From the perspective of a patent researcher, it is an effective search technique to uncover references that are otherwise difficult to find. The chemical structures are complex and are often represented as Markush structures in the patent. These structures are very difficult to search through keywords and codes alone and there is high probability that certain references may not appear in the search result.
Thus, it is advisable and a built-in practice for chemical searches, which focuses on the chemical structure of a molecule, to conduct a separate search focusing on the substance’s name or synonym, chemical family, known attributes, CAS Registry Number (CASRN) and/or molecular formula, in specific databases meant only for these searches.
A Chemical Structure search includes searching for patent and non-patent literature in multiple and specific databases. The searching technique involves multiple permutation and combinations to uncover references even with slight variation in a few ingredients without deviating much from the vitality of the formulation and the scope of the invention.