Chemistry International
Vol. 24, No. 6
November 2002
Macromolecular
Nomenclature and Terminology
A
Brief History of IUPAC Activities
With the preparation
of a revised edition of the so-called "Purple Book"the
Compendium of Macromolecular Nomenclaturewell underway, the
secretaries of the former IUPAC Commission on Macromolecular Nomenclature
have drafted the commission's history and reviewed 50 years of activities.
by Máximo
Barón, Norbert Bikales, Robert Fox, and William Work
From the
1920s, as polymer science developed and came of age, so too a common
language came into being through the efforts of individuals who recognized
the need for such a language. They formed committees to consider issues
that included not only systematic nomenclature, but terminology and
definitions, symbols, and other matters that might affect communication.
All of this effort forms a part of the prehistory of the work of the
Macromolecular Division on Nomenclature and Terminology.
Subcommission
on Nomenclature
IUPACs
first report on macromolecular nomenclature was published in 1952 by
the Subcommission on Nomenclature of what was then the IUPAC Commission
on Macromolecules. That report,1 which drew on the talents
of such remarkable individuals as J. J. Hermans, M. L. Huggins, O. Kratky,
and H. F. Mark, was a landmark in that, for the first time, it systematized
the naming of macromolecules and certain symbols and terms commonly
used in polymer science.
IUPACs
first report on macromolecular nomenclature ... published in 1952
... was a landmark in that, for the first time, it systematized
the naming of macromolecules and certain symbols and terms commonly
used in polymer science.
|
It introduced
the use of parentheses in source-based polymer names when the monomer
from which the polymer is derived consists of more than one word, a
practice that is now widely followed. The report also recommended an
entirely new way of naming polymers based on their structure that included
the suffix "amer," a recommendation that has been almost totally
ignored. After 10 years, the subcommission issued its second report,2
which dealt with the then-burgeoning field of stereoregular polymers.
A revision3 of definitions in the original report appeared
four years later. In 1968, a summary report4 of the activities
of the subcommission was published.
Commission
on Macromolecular Nomenclature (Commission IV.1)
In
1968, the Commission on Macromolecular Nomenclature of the Macromolecular
Division (Division IV) was established under the chairmanship of K.
L. Loening. L. C. Cross was initially secretary and then R. B. Fox.
A series of major documents was produced that shaped modern polymer
language. Most noteworthy was one that defined basic terms5,6
and another on structure-based nomenclature for regular single- strand
polymers.7,8 The latter, originally developed by the Nomenclature
Committee of the Polymer Division of the American Chemical Society and
refined by the Commission, revolutionized polymer nomenclature by providing
a systematic, consistent scheme particularly well adapted to indexing;
it became the standard for Chemical Abstractsand major polymer
journals throughout the world. A list of standard abbreviations was
published9-11 and later revised.1 2
As the
1970s came to a close, A. D. Jenkins assumed the chairmanship, with
R. B. Fox continuing as secretary through 1979, to be succeeded by N.
M. Bikales, who served until 1987. In the 1980s, the Commission produced
a complete revision of the stereochemical definitions; 13-14
terminology for molar masses in polymer science;15 an extension
of structure-based nomenclature to inorganic and coordination polymers;16-17
the systemization of source-based nomenclature for copolymers; 18
two key documents dealing with physicochemical terminology in the polymer
field, one covering definitions for individual macromolecules, their
assemblies, and dilute solutions19 and the other concerned
with crystalline polymers;20 a new method of classifying
polymers; 21 and a basic classification and definitions of
polymerizations reaction.22 These documents were completed
under the chairmanship of P. Kratochvíl, who assumed those duties
in 1985; W. J. Work was elected Secretary in 1987. In 1991, the first
edition of the Purple Book23 was published. The compendium
was the first major compilation of the commission and consisted of an
introduction to macromolecular nomenclature and nine chapters corresponding
to the then valid IUPAC recommendations.
The final
decade of the century saw the activity of the Commission continue unabated.
R. F. T. Stepto succeeded to the chairmanship in 1991, and he, in turn,
was succeeded by M. Hess in 2000. M. Barón became secretary in
1998. Graphical representation of polymer structures was addressed for
the first time in 1994.24 In the course of this decade, a
revised and enlarged glossary of basic terms25 was published,
along with definitive documents dealing with the terminology of polymer
aging and degradation26 and non-ultimate mechanical properties;27
terminology concerned with liquid-crystal polymers was also published.28,29
In the field of structure-based nomenclature, the commission published
recommendations covering regular double-strand polymers30
and irregular singlestrand polymers,31 and a revision of
the commissions 1975 rules for structure-based nomenclature8
was completed. 32 In 1997, a document concerned with a new
area, source-based nomenclature for nonlinear macromolecules and macromolecular
assemblies,33 was published. A document on definitions relating
to stereochemically asymmetric polymerizations34 was prepared
in 2000. A document on source-based generic nomenclature for macromolecules35
was published in 2001.
At the
end of the 1990s, the commission had formed active Working Parties considering
many new aspects of polymer science. In various stages of preparation
were documents concerned with the terminology or nomenclature of polymer
composites and blends, inorganic composites, hyperbranched macromolecules,
and cyclic macromolecules (including macromolecular rotaxanes and catenanes).
Definitions in the fields of kinetics and thermodynamics of polymerization,
and polymerization processes and polymers in dispersed systems were
under consideration. A general guide to polymer terminology and nomenclature
and a document on polymer class names were nearly complete.
Subcommittee
on Macromolecular Terminology
Effective
1 January 2002, the Bureau and Council of IUPAC decided to form a new
Division of Chemical Nomenclature and Structure Representation (Division
VIII) to deal with nomenclature in an integrated manner across all branches
of chemistry. In keeping with this change and the change to project-based
funding, the Commission on Macromolecular Nomenclature decided to become
the Subcommittee on Macromolecular Terminology of Division IV. The development
was timely as it reflected the change in the emphasis of the work the
commission was carrying out. Over the last decade, under the chairmanship
of R. F. T. Stepto and M. Hess, the majority of projects had been concerned
with terminology, related particularly to polymer and polymer-based
materials. However, the subcommittee also continues to work on macromolecular
nomenclature in collaboration with the new Division VIII. With the current
feasibility studies underway and the projects due to be completed, it
may be expected that the next decade and beyond will see a continued
proliferation of recommendations dedicated to the improvement of communication
in polymer science.
Translations
of Nomenclature and Terminology Recommendations
Although
the nomenclature and terminology recommendations have all been published
in English, those involved with the publishing have purposefully pursued
their further dissemination and discussion in other languages, including
Chinese, Croatian, Czech, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Polish,
Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish. Over the years, there has been no
doubt about the global influence of the recommendations on the language
of chemistry. A list of translations can be obtained from <www.iupac.org/divisions/IV/compendium.html>.
A list
of members of the commission can be obtained at <www.iupac.org/divisions/IV/IV.1/history.html>.
References
1. Report
on Nomenclature in the Field of Macromolecules. J. Polym. Sci.8,
257- 277 (1952). (now obsolete)
2. Report
on Nomenclature Dealing with Steric Regularity in High Polymers. J.
Polym. Sci.56, 153-161 (1962). (superseded by ref. 14)
3. Report
on Nomenclature Dealing with Steric Regularity in High Polymers. Pure
Appl. Chem. 12, 645-656 (1966); Macromol. Chem.82,
1-15 (1965). (superseded by ref. 14)
4. Report
of the Committee (sic Subcommission) on Nomenclature of the International
Commission on Macromolecules. J. Polym. Sci., Part B, 6,
257-260 (1968). (now obsolete)
5. Basic
Definitions of Terms Relating to Polymers. IUPAC Inf. Bull. Append.No.
13(1971). (superseded by ref. 24)
6. Basic
Definitions of Terms Relating to Polymers 1974. Pure Appl. Chem.40,
477-491 (1974). (superseded by ref. 25)
7. Nomenclature
of Regular Single-Strand Organic Polymers. IUPAC Inf. Bull. Append.
No. 29, (1972); Macromolecules 6, 149-158 (1973); J. Polym.
Sci., Polym. Lett. Ed. 11, 389-414 (1973). (superseded by ref. 32)
8. Nomenclature
of Regular Single-Strand Organic Polymers (rules approved 1975). Pure
Appl. Chem. 48, 373-385 (1976). (superseded by ref. 32)
9. Recommendations
for Abbreviations of Terms Relating to Plastics and Elastomers.
Pure Appl. Chem. 18, 581-589 (1969). (now obsolete)
10. List
of Abbreviations for Synthetic Polymers and Polymer Materials. IUPAC
Inf. Bull. Append. No. 12, (1971). (superseded by ref.
12)
11. List
of Standard Abbreviations (Symbols) for Synthetic Polymers and Polymer
Materials 1974. Pure Appl. Chem. 40, 473-476 (1974). (superseded
by ref. 12)
12. Use
of Abbreviations for Names of Polymer Substances (IUPAC Recommendations
1986). Pure Appl. Chem. 59, 691-693 (1987).
13. Stereochemical
Definitions and Notations Relating to Polymers (provisional). Pure
Appl. Chem. 51, 1101-1121 (1979). (superseded by ref. 14)
14. Stereochemical
Definitions and Notations Relating to Polymers (IUPAC Recommendations
1980). Pure Appl. Chem.53, 733-752 (1981). (see also ref.
34)
15. Note
on the Terminology of the Molar Masses in Polymer Science. Macromol.
Chem. 185, Appendix to No. 1 (1984); J. Polym. Sci., Polym.
Lett. Ed.22, 57 (1984); J. Coll. Interface. Sci. 101,
277 (1984); J. Macromol. Sci., Chem.A21, 903-904 (1984); Br.
Polym.J. 17, 92(1985).
16. Nomenclature
for Regular Single Strand and Quasi- Single-Strand Inorganic and Coordination
Polymers (provisional). Pure Appl. Chem.53, 2883-2302
(1981). (superseded by ref. 17)
17. Nomenclature
for Regular Single Strand and Quasi- Single-Strand Inorganic and Coordination
Polymers (IUPAC Recommendations 1984). Pure Appl. Chem. 57,
149-168 (1985). (see also ref. 32)
18. Source-Based
Nomenclature for Copolymers (IUPAC Recommendations 1985). Pure Appl.
Chem. 57, 1427- 1440 (1985).
19. Definitions
of Terms Relating to Individual Macromolecules, their Assemblies, and
Dilute Solutions (IUPAC Recommendations 1988). Pure Appl. Chem. 61,
211-241 (1989).
20. Definitions
of Terms Relating to Crystalline Polymers (IUPAC Recommendations 1988).
Pure Appl. Chem. 61, 769-785 (1989).
21. A
Classification of Linear Single-Strand Polymers (IUPAC Recommendations
1988). Pure Appl. Chem. 61, 243-254 (1989).
22. Basic
Classification and Definitions of Polymerization Reactions (IUPAC Recommendations
1994). Pure Appl. Chem.66, 2483-2486 (1994).
23. Compendium
of Macromolecular Nomenclature, Blackwell Scientific Publications,
Oxford, 1991. (contains 9 chapters that are, respectively, reprints
of refs. 6, 14, 19, 20, 8, 17, 18, 21, and 12).
24. Graphic
Representations (Chemical Formulae) of Macromolecules (IUPAC Recommendations
1994). Pure Appl. Chem. 66, 2469-2482 (1994).
25. Glossary
of Basic Terms in Polymer Science (IUPAC Recommendations 1996). Pure
Appl. Chem. 68,
2287- 2311 (1996).
26. Definition
of Terms Relating to Degradation, Aging, and Related Chemical Transformations
of Polymers (IUPAC Recommendations 1996). Pure Appl. Chem. 68,
2313- 2323 (1996).
27. Definitions
of Terms Relating to the Non-Ultimate Mechanical Properties of Polymers
(IUPAC Recommendations 1997). Pure
Appl. Chem. 70,
701-754 (1998).
28. Basic
Definitions of Terms Relating to Low-Molar-Mass and Polymer Liquid Crystals
(IUPAC Recommendations 2001). Pure
Appl. Chem.73,
845-895 (2001).
29. Basic
Definitions of Terms Relating to Polymer Liquid Crystals (IUPAC Recommendations
2001). Pure Appl.
Chem.74,
493-509 (2002).
30. Nomenclature
of Regular Double-Strand (Ladder and Spiro) Organic Polymers (IUPAC
Recommendations 1993). Pure Appl. Chem.65, 1561-1580 (1993).
31. Structure-Based
Nomenclature for Irregular Single-Strand Organic Polymers (IUPAC Recommendations
1994). Pure Appl. Chem.66, 873-880 (1994).
32. Nomenclature
of Regular Single-Strand Organic Polymers (IUPAC Recommendations 2001).
Pure Appl. Chem., in press.
33. Source-Based
Nomenclature for Non-Linear Macromolecules and Macromolecular Assemblies
(IUPAC Recommendations 1997). Pure Appl. Chem. 69, 2511-2521
(1997).
34. Definitions
Relating to Stereochemically Asymmetric Polymerizations (IUPAC Recommendations
2001). Pure Appl.
Chem.74,
915-922 (2002).
35. Source-Based
Generic Nomenclature for Macromolecules (IUPAC Recommendations 2001).
Pure Appl. Chem.
73, 1511-1519
(2001).
Máximo
Barón <[email protected]> is professor at the Universidad
de Belgrano, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and the current secretary of
the IUPAC Subcommittee on Macromolecular Terminology. Questions, comments
should be returned to him.
www.iupac.org/divisions/IV/IV.1