IUPAC

International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry

New site in test period


If you experience a problem,
you may use the old site »

Project: Nomenclature of phosphorus-containing compounds of biochemical importance

Objective

To update and clarify recommendations for naming phosphorus-containing compounds of biochemical importance.

Description

Existing recommendations, available at www.chem.qmul.ac.uk/iupac/misc/phospho.html have not been revised since 1976. They are obscurely written. Although their tables employ a useful symbolism, the symbols are not defined in the document. Knowledge of many classes of phosphorus-containing compounds, e.g. inositol phosphates, has developed out of recognition since 1976. We believe that it would be helpful to redraft the recommendations (1) more clearly, (2) defining the symbols used, and (3) using as examples compounds that feature widely in biochemistry.

Progress
<project announcement published in Chem. Int. Sep-Oct 2006>