Project
Chemical
Nomenclature and Structure Representation Division (VIII)
Number: 2001-031-1-800
Title: Alignment of nomenclature in areas of overlap between
the preferred names for organic nomenclature and the revision of the
nomenclature of inorganic chemistry
Task Group
Chairman: T. Damhus
Members: H. Favre,
R. Hartshorn, G.P.
Moss, and W.H. Powell
Completion Date: 2002 - project completed
Objective:
To ensure minimum actual inconsistency in nomenclature recommendations,
maximum alignment of approaches and principles, and appropriate cross-referencing
between the areas covered by both the organic Preferred Names document
and the inorganic Red Book I revision, both due for completion ultimo
2001.
Description:
There is considerable overlap between the areas of chemistry covered
by the nomenclature recommendations of the so-called Preferred Names
document currently being completed under the auspices of Commission
on Nomenclature of Organic Chemistry (CNOC) and by the revision of Red
Book I on inorganic nomenclature undertaken by Commission on Nomenclature
of Inorganic Chemistry (CNIC). For example, both documents provide names
for homogeneous and heterogeneous parent hydrides and de-rivatives of
these (such as anions which may further act as ligands in coordination
compounds); for inorganic oxoac-ids and organic derivatives of these;
and for organometal-lic compounds.
The former document can be considered a revision of the Blue Book on
organic nomenclature. Both revisions are due for completion by the end
of this year (2001). Whereas the CNOC document endeavours to provide
preferred names for a large number of the compounds it covers, the Red
Book revision will probably not yet contain preferred names, but CNIC
has been asked to consider selecting preferred names in the future and
consequently has had potential preferred names under consideration while
working on the Red Book.
Several times during the last few years, and most lately at a joint
meeting between CNOC and CNIC during the IUPAC General Assembly in Brisbane,
discrepancies in the approaches to systematic nomenclature taken by
CNOC and CNIC and in specific recommendations given in the two documents
mentioned have been pointed out. Unfortunately, until now (and this
includes the Brisbane general assembly schedule) time has not allowed
for a thorough discussion of the problems between the two parties. It
is of utmost importance, however, that such a discussion be conducted
now (i.e. in the fall of 2001) to ensure maximum alignment of approaches
and specific recommendations and, where consensus seems impossible to
achieve, at least appropriate cross-referencing between the two documents.
The problems are far too vast to be dealt with as minor amendments to
the two documents at a later stage.
Progress:
The task group met 29-30 September 2001. Major decisions about necessary
revision of one or the other document in order to achieve maximum alignment
have been taken.
> Read meeting report: pdf file
- 125KB
During the remainder of 2001, the actual revisions will have to be
made. Only when the texts are in place, can the cross-referencing and
appropriate footnotes be made to fine tune and fully align the two texts,
so it is anticipated that this part of the project must take place concurrently
with the review process in the Spring of 2002.
Final report
Subsequent discussions revealed that not all controversial matters had
been resolved, and a further meeting was held in Cambridge in January
2002. Sufficient progress was made to enable work on the Red Book and
the Blue Book to proceed towards completion.
> Read meeting report: pdf file -
131KB
Last update: 10 July 2002
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