Andy Berks
Wyeth Ayerst
>>> "Simmons, Edlyn, HMR/US" <Edlyn.Simmons@hmrag.com> 1/7/99 11:47:40 AM >>>
For those of you who aren't familiar with Derwent chemical fragmentation
coding, the RIN service is a supplemental fragment coding system that
identifies each ring system with a unique 5-digit number. Ever since it was
introduced in 1972, it's been available as an option to subscribers at an
extra price; updates are provided periodically for various media including
the stand alone TOPFRAG code generation programs and STNExpress
When my 1999 Derwent CPI subscription renewal notice arrived, I didn't
notice that there was no listing for the RIN service. Had I noticed, I'd
have wondered whether the surcharge for the service had been dropped or
whether Derwent had decided it was too much trouble for them to provide RIN
coding. The invoices included no notice to subscribers of either event.
(I haven't scoured their webpage to find out if a notice is buried there - I
shouldn't have to).
It now appears that Derwent has not stopped charging extra for RIN indexing
- they seem to be planning to drop it. I haven't asked whether they're
going to stop creating new RIN codes, which would be bad, or whether they're
going to stop applying the existing ones, which would be infinitely worse,
Worst of all, they didn't bother to tell us the service was being
discontinued. Or when.
As it turns out, RIN codes are the most useful retrieval tools for cyclic
compounds, as they retrieve all compounds containing a rare ring system (one
without a fragmentation code) without picking up any false drop.
Discontinuing their use would make the complicated time ranging of
fragmentation code strategies even more complicated - it will be nearly
impossible if the fragmentation code isn't going to acquire a new time
ranging code.
It should go without saying (but it can't) that the fragmentation code is
still in use (assuming there aren't any more announcements Derwent neglected
to make) we can't stop using fragmentation coding because there are still
about 25 years worth of records without Markush DARC indexing.
Derwent, what's going on? CPI subscribers, has anyone else been notified of
the change in indexing availability?
Edlyn Simmons
edlyn.simmons@hmrag.com <mailto:edlyn.simmons@hmrag.com>
Manager, Patent Information Group
Hoechst Marion Roussel
2110 E. Galbraith Rd.
Cincinnati, OH 45215-6300
Phone: (513) 948-7829
Fax: (513) 948-7961