Resources by Subject: Citation Styles: ACS Articles

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Journal Abbreviations

For scientific journals, ACS requires you to use the abbreviation of a journal instead of writing out the full title. You can search the journal title using the CAS Source Index (CASSI) Search Tool to find out how to correctly abbreviate a journal title.

CAS Source Index (CASSI) Search Tool

In-Text Citations

With ACS, you may cite references in your text in three ways (be sure to ask your professor if they have a preference):

1. Using superscript numbers

Green chemistry is guided by the Twelve Principles of Green Chemistry to prevent pollution.¹

2. Using italic numbers in parentheses

Green chemistry is guided by the Twelve Principles of Green Chemistry to prevent pollution (1).

3. Using author name and date in parentheses or just the date if the author is listed in the sentence

Green chemistry is guided by the Twelve Principles of Green Chemistry to prevent pollution (Hjeresen et al., 2000).
According to Hjeresen et al., Green chemistry is guided by the Twelve Principles of Green Chemistry to prevent pollution (2000).

Notes:

With numerical references (the first two types), start with number 1 and number consistently throughout. If a reference is repeated, use the original reference number
When citing more than one reference at one place by numbers, list the numbers in ascending order and separate them by commas were reported^2,5,8
Cite the reference in a logical place in a sentence

Article Citations

Print Journal Article	Format: Author, A.; Author, B.; Author, C. Title of Article. Journal Abbreviation Year, Volume (Issue), Page Numbers. Example: Klingler, J. Influence of Pretreatment on Sodium Powder. Chem. Mater. 2005, 17, 2755-2768.
Nonscientific Magazines and Newspapers	Format: Author, A.; Title of Article. Magazine/Newspaper Title, Month Day, Year, page numbers. Example: Squires, S. Falling Short on Nutrients. The Washington Post, Oct 4, 2005, p H1.
Online Article Based on Print Editions	Format: Author, A.; Author, B. Title of Article. Journal Abbreviation [Online] Year, Volume, Page Numbers. URL (accessed Month Day, Year). Example: Fine, L. Einstein Revisted. J. Chem. Educ. [Online] 2005, 82, 1601 ff. http://jchemed.chem.wisc.edu/Journal/Issues/2005/Nov/abs1601.html (accessed Oct 15, 2017).
Online Article From a Database (scientific)	Format: Author, A.; Author, B. Title of Article. Journal Abbreviation [Online] Year, Volume (Issue), Page Numbers. Database Provider. URL of top page (accessed Month Day, Year). Example: Tro, N. J. Chemistry as General Education. J. Chem. Educ. [Online] 2004, 81 (1), 54-57. Science Database. https://search/proquest/com/docview/211938853 (accessed Dec 12, 2017).
Online Article from a Database (nonscientific)	Format: Author, A.; Author, B. Title of Article. Title of Journal [Online], Complete Date, Page numbers. Database provider. URL of top page (accessed Month Day, Year). Example: Hallet, V. Scanning the Globe for Organic Chemistry. U.S. News and World Report [Online], April 19, 2004, p. 59. Business Source Premier. http://www.epnet.com/academic/bussourceprem.asp (accessed April 24, 2016).