This guide was based on the excellent work of Erja Kajosalo, the chemistry librarian at MIT, who generously granted her permission for this adapted version.

The Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) is the world’s repository for small-molecule organic and metal-organic crystal structures. The CSD System also comprises software for database access, structure visualisation and data analysis, and structural knowledge bases derived from the CSD.  The CSD is produced by the Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre (CCDC). 

Please contact Sherri Rollins (srollins1@luc.edu) for access to the CSD client software.

WebCSD: The CCDC also produces WebCSD, a website offering a limited version of information found in the CSD database. However, WebCSD and CSD are two completely independant systems; for full access the CSD system must be downloaded.

NOTE: CSD does not store:

• Polypeptides and polysaccharides having more than 24 units. These are recorded in the Protein Data Bank http://www.rcsb.org/pdb/
• Oligonucleotides are stored in the Nucleic Acids Data Bank http://ndbserver.rutgers.edu/
• Inorganic structures, which are stored in the Inorganic Crystal Structure Database http://icsd.fiz-karlsruhe.de/icsd/
• Metals and Alloys, which are stored in CRYSTMET® http://www.tothcanada.com/ (Loyola does not subscribe)