Chemistry Nexus

by WebElements: the periodic table on the web

How to name new elements

The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) has provisional recommendations for the naming of new elements and the recommendations are open for comment until 29 February 2016.

IUPAC state “the most important change is that the names of all new elements should have an ending that reflects and maintains historical and chemical consistency. This would be in general “-ium” for elements belonging to groups 1-16, “-ine” for elements of group 17 and “-on” for elements of group 18.”

The discoverers have the right to suggest names and symbols. IUPAC suggest that elements be named after:

  • (a) a mythological concept or character (including an astronomical object),
  • (b) a mineral, or similar substance,
  • (c) a place, or geographical region,
  • (d) a property of the element, or
  • (e) a scientist.

February 24th, 2016

Posted In: Chemistry