Compilation of the SHIBUYA INDEX

Abstract

SHIBUYA INDEX (5th Edition) was published in May, 1991 as a joint production of Zen-Noh and Kumiai Chemical Ind. This is the comprehensive index of pesticides which has been edited by the reporter since 1978. The INDEX contains a broad range of information such as common names, code numbers, names of companies, chemical structures, formulation types, safety data, registration status in Japan and/or other countries, application, etc. All known products—whether old or new, with common names or trade names—are listed including those whose chemical structures have been recently published. The total number of products listed in the INDEX is 6755 including 3710 combination products and the total number of names including common names, code numbers and trade names is more than 30, 120. The reporter has been working on this type of study since 1962 and it has been a process of repeated trial and error. The most distinctive features of the INDEX are: (1) all compounds have been grouped by chemical structure. (2) once the chemical structure is clear, it is easy to locate a compound and common name, code number and/or trade name can easily be found. (3) analogous compounds or similar types of combination can be easily found. (4) from the chemical structures described in the INDEX, new ideas may emerge for the future synthesis of new molecules. This report describes the history and details of the study, such as how the INDEX was made, how it can be improved and how to use it.