CHEMISTRY International The News Magazine of IUPAC July-August 2012 Volume 34 No. 4 ENVISIONING CHEMISTRY IN 2050 Science for Haiti INTERNATIONAL UNION OF Nanoparticle Toxicity Challenges PURE AND APPLIED CHEMISTRY JJulyuly 1122 ccovers.inddovers.indd 1 66/21/2012/21/2012 11:23:12:23:12 PPMM From the Editor CHEMISTRY International or chemists and aficionados of chemistry of all ages, there is no Fequal to the iconic periodic table of chemical elements. The table is a The News Magazine of the International Union of Pure and symbol recognized universally, yet our understanding of its contents and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) underlying organization is still evolving. In this issue of CI, several aspects of this icon are put forth. www.iupac.org/publications/ci As we celebrated IYC2011, several projects focused on the table and its elements to instruct and intrigue. There were exhibits, essay Managing Editor: Fabienne Meyers competitions, and several drawing and video competitions around Production Editor: Chris Brouwer the world that resulted in unique tables. One such dazzling table was Design: pubsimple scaled up and mounted as a mural in the Earth Science Museum at the University of All correspondence to be addressed to: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. Read about the Fabienne Meyers project and the unveiling event on April 2012 IUPAC, c/o Department of Chemistry in the Wire section, page 20. Another IYC- Boston University inspired rendering of the table graces the Metcalf Center for Science and Engineering cover of this issue: Hommage to the Elements 590 Commonwealth Ave. by Eugènia Balcells, on display in the Atrium Boston, MA 02215, USA of the Chemistry Library at the University of Barcelona, features each element’s unique emission spectrum. Like all E-mail: [email protected] periodic tables, it displays order and yet, solicits questions. By its order, Phone: +1 617 358 0410 one can see in the table how the elements compare to each other and Fax: +1 617 353 6466 how in consequence they might react with one another. The table also raises questions, as the elements, and the chemistry they enable, are keys Printed by: to future discoveries and solutions to today’s numerous challenges. Cadmus Communications, Easton, PA, USA As it just so happens, the family of recognized elements has grown a bit larger. In July 2011, the claims of discovery for element 114 and 116 Subscriptions were elucidated. Following that, the naming process was initiated and Six issues of Chemistry International (ISSN 0193- in December 2011 names were proposed. Now, the process is over and 6484) will be published bimonthly in 2012 (one IUPAC has officially introduced flerovium, or Fl, as element 114 and liver- volume per annum) in January, March, May, July, morium, or Lv, as element 116. Read more on page 19. September, and November. The 2012 subscrip- While some scientists keep working at filling the gaps in the table, tion rate is USD 110.00 for organizations and USD others are debating how the elements already in the table should be 50.00 for individuals. Subscription orders may be arranged. Group 3 seems to cause ambiguity and Eric Scerri is asking placed directly with the IUPAC Secretariat. Affiliate IUPAC to take a stand and clarify the issue. Read more page on page 28. Members receive CI as part of their Membership With contributions from artists of all ages and scientists of all disci- subscription, and Members of IUPAC bodies receive plines, the table continues to spark interest and generate enthusiasm; all CI free of charge. good signs for the creative future of chemistry?! Reproduction of Articles Fabienne Meyers Unless there is a footnote to the contrary, repro- [email protected] duction or translation of articles in this issue is www.iupac.org/publications/ci encouraged, provided that it is accompanied by a reference to the original in Chemistry International. Periodicals postage paid at Durham, NC 27709- Cover: A close-up of Hommage to the Elements, a permanent 9990 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: display in the atrium of the Physics and Chemistry Library at the University of Barcelona, Spain. “The work of multimedia Send address changes to Chemistry International, artist Eugènia Balcells, is an invocation of the foundations IUPAC Secretariat, PO Box 13757, Research Triangle of the universe and of life: matter and energy, light, and the Park, NC 27709-3757, USA. chemical elements,” writes Santiago Alvarez (see page 5). ISSN 0193-6484 JJulyuly 1122 ccovers.inddovers.indd 2 66/21/2012/21/2012 11:23:32:23:32 PPMM Contents CHEMISTRY International July-August 2012 Volume 34 No. 4 Project Committee Chair’s Column A System Comes of Age by Kip Powell 2 Features An Artist’s Hommage to the Elements by Santiago Alvarez 5 Size Matters: Measurement Helps Solve Nanoparticle Toxicity Challenges by Louise Dean 6 Science for Haiti: A Call for a Response from the International Chemistry Community by Jorge Colón 10 Icons of Boron Chemistry by Narayan S. Hosmane 14 IUPAC Wire Flerovium and Livermorium Join the Periodic Table 19 Future Earth: Research for Global Sustainability 19 Lois Rossi to Receive the IUPAC International Award for Advances in Crop Protection Chemistry 20 2012 Thieme–IUPAC Prize Awarded to Melanie S. Sanford 20 “G-Science” Statements Call for Action on Global Challenges 21 An IYC Periodic Table Project Unveiled 21 The Project Place Rules for Abbreviation of Protecting Group 22 Maintaining and Ensuring the Pesticides Properties Database 22 Terminology of Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology in Polymer Science 22 Metal-Binding Organic Ligands 23 Making an imPACt Chlorine-Free Synthesis for Green Chemistry 24 Nomenclature Notes Non-IUPAC Nomenclature Systems by Jeffery Leigh 27 Up for Discussion Mendeleev’s Periodic Table Is Finally Completed and What To Do about Group 3? by Eric Scerri 28 Conference Call Delivering Data in Science by John R. Helliwell and Brian McMahon 32 Agrochemicals by J.B. Unsworth, N.A. Shakil, J. Kumar, G.A. Kleter and J.B.H.J. Linders 34 Where 2B & Y 37 IUPAC Poster Prizes 38 Mark Your Calendar 40 Stamps International, 18 Back cover tear-off page: IUPAC Periodic Table of the Elements, version 1 June 2012 Project Committee Chair’s Column A System Comes semination of results in conference presentations or workshops. This output is consistent with a medium- of Age sized multinational organization, but the projects, by Kip Powell each of which is focused on a stakeholder group, have considerable added value. ome 10 years after the initiation of the IUPAC Project System it is appro- Criteria for IUPAC Projects Spriate to restate its objectives and to A key requirement for a project proposal is that the reflect on what has been achieved. The core task group has wide international (or continental) rep- activity of IUPAC is to provide critical evalu- resentation and has the necessary expertise. Key tests ations of methods and data and to make of the suitability of a project proposal are that the recommendations for nomenclature, termi- outcome has a well-defined group of stakeholders and nology, metrology, and measurement stan- that there is a well-established need for the evaluation, dards. This outcome is achieved through its the report, or recommendations. The project proposal projects (the Project System). must emphasize how the outcomes will be commu- nicated to the stakeholders (e.g., via publications, The Project System encourages experts conference presentations, or workshops). Successful worldwide to contribute to this process, proposals must demonstrate the project’s relevance to regardless of whether or not they are mem- readily identified scientific communities and adequate bers of IUPAC’s division (subject area) committees or methods of dissemination. standing committees. It makes this possible by fund- ing meetings of task groups to plan and coordinate Scope of Current Projects the contributions of team members working on an The scope of topics covered by IUPAC projects is illus- approved project. trated by current projects from each of the 8 Divisions IUPAC does not support original research, but the (subject areas): outcomes from projects provide the scientific com- Recommended Reference Materials for Phase munity with authoritative articles based on the critical Equilibrium Studies evaluation of peer-reviewed published literature. In Evaluated Published Isotope Ratio Data this way, IUPAC is able to serve identified needs of Rules for Abbreviation of Protecting Groups industry, academia, teachers, and research chemists. Critically Evaluated Rate Coefficients Associated In addition, several IUPAC projects are focused on with Initiation of Radical Polymerization enhancing the public’s perception of the contribution Requirements for Proficiency Testing on of chemistry to their daily lives. Environmental Sampling Appropriate Consideration of Bioavailability Are you at that stage in your career of Metals/Metal Compounds in the Aquatic where you are able to contribute? Environment Human Drug Metabolism Database Recommendations on Nomenclature of Flavonoids How Large is this Enterprise? IUPAC generates a sizeable output through its proj- Projects recently completed by Standing ects. For example: Committees—Committee on Chemistry Education Each year, an average of 40 new projects is initiated. (CCE), Chemical Research Applied to World Needs Currently, there are over 900 chemists from 59 (CHEMRAWN) and Chemistry and Industry (COCI) countries contributing to over 190 IUPAC-funded —include: projects. Enhancing the Capacity to Provide Quality Chemistry Education at Secondary and Tertiary Most evaluations produce a Technical Report or an Levels in Ethiopia IUPAC Recommendation (if terminology or nomen- CHEMRAWN XIX—A Renewable and Sustainable clature is being defined) that is published in Pure and Energy from Biological Resources Applied Chemistry; some lead to databases that are IUPAC-UNESCO-UNIDO Safety Training Program made available via the web. Many also lead to dis- Workshop, San Juan, Puerto Rico 2 CHEMISTRY International July-August 2012 How Does the Project System Work? national participation within the advisory board and The Project System is the modus operandi for IUPAC.