The Inorganic Chemistry Division of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), also known as Division II,[1] deals with all aspects of inorganic chemistry, including materials and bioinorganic chemistry, and also with isotopes, atomic weights and the periodic table. It furthermore advises the Chemical Nomenclature and Structure Representation Division (Division VIII) on issues dealing with inorganic compounds and materials.[2]
For the general public, the most visible result of the division's work is that it evaluates and advises the IUPAC on names and symbols proposed for new elements that have been approved for addition to the periodic table.[3][4][5][6] For the scientific end educational community the work on isotopic abundances and atomic weights is of fundamental importance as these numbers are continuously checked and updated.[7]
Subcommittees
The division has the following subcommittees and commissions:[8]
Subcommittee on Isotopic Abundance Measurements
Interdivisional Subcommittee on Materials Chemistry
Subcommittee on Stable Isotope Reference Material Assessment
Priority claims for the discovery of elements with atomic number greater than 111
Evaluation of Isotopic Abundance Variations in Selected Heavier Elements
Evaluated Compilation of International Reference Materials for Isotope Abundance Measurements
Development of an Isotopic Periodic Table for the Educational Community[11]
Towards a comprehensive definition of oxidation state
Coordination polymers and metal organic frameworks: nomenclature guidelines[12]
Evaluation of Radiogenic Abundance Variations in Selected Elements
Technical Guidelines for Isotope Abundances and Atomic Weight Measurements
Assessment of Stable Isotopic Reference and Inter-Comparison Materials
Online evaluated isotope ratio database for use communities (2011-2014)
Evaluated Published Isotope Ratio Data (2010- 2011)
Guidelines for Measurement of Luminescence Spectra and Quantum Yields of Inorganic Compounds, Metal Complexes and Materials
Terminology and definition of quantities related to the isotope distribution in elements with more than two stable isotopes
Evaluated published isotope ratio data (2011- 2013)
Evaluation of published lead isotopic data (1950- 2013) for a new standard atomic weight of lead
Development a procedure for using intervals instead of fixed values for atomic weights: an educational exercise
Former projects and other notable activities
The Inorganic Chemistry Division was a partner in the 2011 Global Chemistry Experiment “Water: A Chemical Solution” that took part during the International Year of Chemistry.[13][14]