International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry nomenclature

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The rules for naming organic and inorganic compounds are contained in two publications, known as the Blue Book[1][2] and the Red Book[3] respectively. A third publication, known as the Green Book,[4] describes the recommendations for the use of symbols for physical quantities (in association with the IUPAP), while a fourth, the Gold Book,[5] contains the definitions of a large number of technical terms used in chemistry. Similar compendia exist for biochemistry[6] (in association with the IUBMB), analytical chemistry[7] and macromolecular chemistry [8]. These books are supplemented by shorter recommendations for specific circumstances which are published from time to time in the journal Pure and Applied Chemistry.


Aims of chemical nomenclature








First page of Lavoisier's Chymical Nomenclature in English.



The French chemist Louis-Bernard Guyton de Morveau published his recommendations[9] in 1782, hoping that his "constant method of denomination" would "help the intelligence and relieve the memory". The system was refined in collaboration with Berthollet, de Fourcroy and Lavoisier,[10] and promoted by the latter in a textbook which would survive long after his death at the guillotine in 1794.[11] The project was also espoused by Jöns Jakob Berzelius,[12][13] who adapted the ideas for the German-speaking world.



Types of nomenclature

For inorganic compounds there are a number of different ways in which compounds can be named. These are compositional, substitutive and additive. The different methods of nomenclature are covered in the article IUPAC nomenclature of inorganic chemistry 2005, which summarises the latest IUPAC recommendations.

Compositional nomenclature

Examples of compositional names are:

  • PCl5 phosphorus pentachloride
  • Ca2P3 dicalcium triphosphide

An alternative method uses the oxidation state on the metal in place of suffices e.g.:

  • SnCl2, tin (II) chloride as an alternative to tin dichloride.

Substitutive nomenclature

This naming method generally generally follows established IUPAC organic nomenclature. Hydrides of the main group elements (groups 13-17) are given -ane base names, e.g. borane, BH3, phosphane, PH3(N.B. not phosphine). The compound PCl3 would be named substitutively as trichlorophosphane.

Additive nomenclature



Note that ligands such as chloride become chlorido- rather than chloro as in substitutive naming.

See also


  1. [1958 (A: Hydrocarbons, and B: Fundamental Heterocyclic Systems), 1965 (C: Characteristic Groups)] (1971 (3rd edition combined)) Nomenclature of Organic Chemistry, 3 (in English), London: Butterworths. ISBN 0408701447. 
  6. Biochemical Nomenclature and Related Documents, London:Portland Press, 1992.
  8. Compendium of Macromolecular Nomenclature, Oxford:Blackwell Scientific Publications, 1991.

External links

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