Cambridge ConQuest System

ConQuest is a program for searching and retrieving information from the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD).

It provides a full range of text/numeric database search options, in addition to more complex search functionality, including:

  • Chemical substructure searching
  • Geometrical searching
  • Intermolecular non-bonded contact searching

ConQuest Features:

  • Intuitive sketcher for drawing chemical substructures and defining geometrical parameters
  • Straightforward mechanisms for combining queries to generate complex searches
  • Interactive browsing of search results while searches are running
  • Extensive range of output file formats (CIF, PDB, MOL2, SHELX, etc.)
  • Context dependent help, full documentation and tutorials

All registered users of CDS are licensed to use Conquest via the CDS Server.

Note: Conquest requires X-Window to be available.

To start ConQuest, log on to the CDS server, open up an X-Window and at the cds% prompt type conquest and hit the enter key.

[A line 'Running ConQuest with glibc version 2.3.2' may appear before an initialisation window opens]

ConQuest Start Screen

This is followed by the main ConQuest window - which opens in Build Queries mode.

For further information, click one of the buttons, tabs or menu options in the picture below.

A User Guide and a set of worked examples are available via the Help menu or, alternatively, ConQuest User Guide and Tutorials can be accessed via the CCDC website.