How to Cite a Website in ACS Format

Understanding Website Citations in ACS

Websites are increasingly important sources for scientific information, including chemical databases, safety resources, and institutional repositories. ACS format provides guidelines for properly citing web sources while acknowledging the temporary nature of online content.

Basic Website Citation Format

The standard ACS format for websites is: Author/Organization; Page Title; Website Name; URL (accessed Month Day, Year).

Include the author or organization name, the page title in italics, the website or domain name, complete URL, and the date you accessed it.

Website Citation with Author

When a website has a clearly identified author:

Smith, J.; Organic Reaction Mechanisms; Chemistry Online; https://www.chemistryonline.edu/reactions (accessed March 15, 2024).

Website Citation with Organization

For institutional websites without individual authors:

American Chemical Society; ACS Green Chemistry Resources; https://www.acs.org/greenchemistry (accessed March 14, 2024).

Use the organization name as the author for corporate or institutional websites.

University or Educational Website

For academic institution websites:

University of California, Berkeley; Chemistry Department Resources; https://chemistry.berkeley.edu/resources (accessed March 13, 2024).

Include the full institutional name as the author.

Government Agency Website

For federal or state agency websites:

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Chemical Hazard Data and Toxicity Values; https://www.epa.gov/chemical-hazard-data (accessed March 12, 2024).

Use the agency name as the author for government resources.

Chemical Database Citation

For online chemical databases:

PubChem; PubChem Database; https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ (accessed March 11, 2024).

Include the database name as both the author and website name.

In-Text Citations for Websites

For in-text citations in ACS format, use numbered superscript citations:

This information is available online.¹

The number corresponds to the website citation in the reference list.

Examples for Different Website Types

Chemistry Software Company

ChemDoodle; ChemDoodle Online App; https://web.chemdoodle.com/ (accessed March 16, 2024).

Laboratory Safety Database

Occupational Safety and Health Administration; Chemical Safety Data; https://www.osha.gov/chemicaldata (accessed March 10, 2024).

Educational Chemistry Portal

Khan Academy; Chemistry Course Materials; https://www.khanacademy.org/science/chemistry (accessed March 9, 2024).

Research Institution Website

National Center for Biotechnology Information; Chemical Entities of Biological Interest Database; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pccompound (accessed March 8, 2024).

Citing Specific Pages on Large Websites

When referring to a specific page on a large site:

Smith, J.; Organic Chemistry Chapter 5. In Chemistry Fundamentals; https://www.chemistryfundamentals.edu/chapter5 (accessed March 7, 2024).

Include the specific page URL, not just the main website URL.

Updated or Regularly Revised Content

For websites with frequently updated content:

Sigma-Aldrich; Chemical Product Safety Data; https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/safety (updated March 2024; accessed March 16, 2024).

You may note when content was last updated in addition to your access date.

Using GenText for Website Citations

GenText streamlines website citation in ACS format by organizing URL information, organization names, and access dates. The tool helps ensure complete and accurate web source citations.

Reference List Organization

In ACS format, references appear as numbered citations in the order they are cited in the text, not alphabetically organized.

Common Citation Elements

Essential elements for website citations:

• Author or organization name
• Page or resource title
• Website or domain name
• Complete and functional URL
• Access date (month, day, year)

Common Citation Mistakes

• Incomplete URLs: Always include the full, functional URL.
• Missing access date: Web sources require access dates since content can change.
• Incorrect date format: Use Month Day, Year format (March 15, 2024).
• Broken links: Verify that URLs are current and functional before citation.

Website Citation Challenges

Web citations present unique challenges:

• Content may change or be removed
• Multiple versions may exist
• Some sites require subscription access
• URLs can be long and complex

Access dates are critical for establishing when you viewed the content.

When to Cite Websites in Chemistry Research

Website citations are appropriate for:

• Chemical safety resources and SDSs
• Online chemistry databases
• Institutional repositories
• Educational chemistry resources
• Regulatory and compliance information

Verifying Website Credibility

When citing websites, verify:

• The author or organization’s credibility
• The currency of the information
• The website’s domain and institutional affiliation
• Whether information is peer-reviewed
• If the source supplements or contradicts published literature

By following ACS guidelines for website citations, you maintain consistency with chemistry publishing standards and provide readers with access information for online sources.