A chemical element is a pure substance defined by the number of protons in its nucleus that cannot be broken down by ordinary chemical means. With 118 elements identified, a systematic and universally accepted naming system is necessary for clear communication across the global scientific community. This nomenclature allows professionals to refer to these fundamental building blocks of matter without ambiguity. The standardized system has evolved from disparate historical traditions to a rigorously regulated international process.
Early Naming Conventions and Sources
Early element names were often inspired by their unique characteristics or the location of their discovery. Elements like Chlorine and Iodine derived their names from a distinct property: Chlorine comes from the Greek word chloros (“pale green”) for its gaseous color, and Iodine from iodes (“violet”) for its vapor color. Phosphorus, meaning “light-bringer” in Greek, was named for its tendency to glow in the dark.
Other names drew from classical mythology or celestial objects. Titanium was named after the Titans of Greek mythology, while Selenium took its name from Selene, the Greek goddess of the Moon, complementing the earlier-discovered Tellurium (named after Earth). Elements discovered later, such as Uranium and Neptunium, were named after the planets Uranus and Neptune.
Geographical location also provided a common source for names, such as Hafnium, named after Hafnia, the Latin name for Copenhagen. Standardization advanced in the early 19th century when Swedish chemist Jöns Jacob Berzelius introduced a system for chemical symbols. His convention used the first one or two letters of the element’s Latin name, replacing confusing alchemical symbols and laying the foundation for the symbols used on the modern periodic table.
The Role of IUPAC in Standardization
The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) is the recognized global body responsible for defining chemical nomenclature. Established in 1919, IUPAC provides a single, definitive set of rules for naming elements, preventing the confusion that arose when different countries used competing names. This regulatory framework supports international trade, research, and scientific literature.
IUPAC’s Inorganic Chemistry Division reviews proposed names and symbols, ensuring they adhere to traditional criteria. A proposed name must be unique and should not be overly commercial or trivial. Names must maintain a historical link to sources such as mythology, a mineral, a place, a property, or a scientist. After the division accepts a name, it culminates in ratification by the IUPAC Council.
The formal process resolves disputes over the priority of discovery, particularly for elements synthesized in the late 20th century, which led to the “Transfermium Wars.” For elements 104 through 109, competing claims from American and Soviet laboratories resulted in decades of controversy over naming rights. IUPAC adjudicated these claims, recommending a neutral set of names to harmonize the periodic table and settle the disagreements.
Establishing Names for Synthetic Elements
Elements with atomic numbers 104 and higher are synthesized in high-energy physics labs, requiring a structured process for their eventual naming. Before a discovery is fully verified and a final name is approved, IUPAC assigns a temporary systematic name derived directly from the element’s atomic number. For example, element 117 was temporarily known as Ununseptium, using Latin and Greek roots for the numbers one, one, and seven.
The process begins with the joint IUPAC-IUPAP Working Group, which determines if the discovery has been robustly confirmed, often requiring independent verification. Once the discovery is credited to a specific team, the discoverers are invited to propose a final name and symbol to the IUPAC Inorganic Chemistry Division. This proposal must follow the traditional criteria, often honoring a geographical location, a laboratory, or a celebrated scientist.
After the division accepts the proposal, the suggested name enters a period of public review, allowing the global scientific community to submit feedback. This review ensures transparency and broad acceptance before the name is formally recommended for adoption. The final step is the ratification of the name and symbol by the IUPAC Council, which makes the element’s name official on the periodic table.