With the Query builder it is possible to combine all your keywords and different parameters together. In Quick Search you are limited to the combination of 2 factors (chemical structure and text). However in the Query builder it is possible to create a very well-structured and complex search strategy consisting of more than 2 factors.
Just like with Quick search you will be eventually directed to the Results page, here you can compare and analyze your results in an easy way. For extra help with your results, navigate to the tab Results.
In the Query builder you can select Fields, Forms and History in the top of the search-menu.
Fields
Under the tab Fields you can find numerous different fields that can expand and specify your query. By clicking on one of these fields you add them to the query that is displayed in a box in the middle of the screen. Adding more boxes will make your query more specific. The boxes are linked via so-called operators.
Forms
Under the tab Forms you can find standardized search forms for widely used search strategies, for example Spectra where a combination of NMR, MS and Chromatography data is requested. Search forms are ready-made combinations of existing "Fields".
History
Here you can find your most recent search. For non-registered users you can find all the search tasks you made during this session. Warning: if you are still busy on the computer but you are not using Reaxys, (you are for example working on a document or thesis while Reaxys is running in the background), Reaxys will automatically end your session after a extended time period. Your session can therefore expire without you actually closing the webpage.
To prevent the loss of your previous searches, make sure to export or save your searches or make sure to register and log in. When you are logged in your searches will be saved for a longer period of time.
AND, OR, NOT and PROXIMITY, NEAR, NEXT
After building a search query by combining different elements you can further specify your query with the use of different operators. The standard operator used by Reaxys is the Boolean operator AND. This operator allows searching for documents where all the elements have to be included together. if you want another operator you can click on the operator to change it.
When entering multiple keywords in a single field, Reaxys automatically links these keywords with the PROXIMITY operator in order to increase the relevance of the found literature.
An overview of the different operators and there functions is displayed below. The relatively new operators NEAR and NEXT are explained below that.
NEXT/x: requires the search terms to be a maximum of x words away from each other (in that order).
Use the NEXT/x operator for more relevant results combining two terms. With i.e. polymer NEXT/2 blend the words polymer and blend can be a maximum of 2 words apart from each other in the same order ('polymer blend': yes. 'polymer in a blend': yes. 'polymers synthesized via a blend of methods': no. 'blend of polymers': no). You can expand or limit your search by in- or decreasing the number of words between the two items (NEXT/3 or NEXT/1).
NEAR/x: requires the search terms to be a maximum of x words away from each other (in any direction).
Both operators can only be used in the same field.
Nesting
You can combine searches within searches by nesting items. In databases like Web of Science you can use brackets, in Reaxys you move the search bars in a group.
Climate change AND (nitrous oxide OR laughing gas) will be:
