Scientific Nomenclature

Internationally accepted rules and conventions should be followed when preparing scientific artwork. The dominant metric system of measurements used in science is The International System of Units, universally abbreviated SI. Moreover, the format of chemical units in graphics should conform to IUPAC convention and be consistent with those used in the manuscript. The following links provide a general guidance concerning modern conventions.

The International System of Units (SI)

The U.S. adaptation of the SI is described in The International System of Units (SI), 2008 ed. (U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC, 2008) [NIST Special Publication 330].

A practical description of the SI is Guide for the Use of the International System of Units (SI), 2008 ed. (U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC, 2008) [NIST Special Publication 811].

Nomenclature of Inorganic Chemistry (so-called Red Book)

IUPAC Recommendations 2005 concerning the names and formulae of inorganic compounds.

Nomenclature of Organic Chemistry (so-called Blue Book)

HTML reproduction has been prepared by Advanced Chemistry Development. The most recent hardback edition has been published by RSC in December 2013.

Quantities, Units and Symbols in Physical Chemistry (so-called Green Book)

IUPAC Recommendations 2007 provides a readable compilation of widely used terms and symbols from many sources together with brief understandable definitions.

Analytical Terminology (so-called Orange Book)

The Web edition of the IUPAC Compendium on Analytical Terminology 1997 provides ease of access to the extensive information contained in its recommendations.

Chemical Terminology (so-called Gold Book)

This advanced XML version containing more than 7000 entries is the definitive guide to chemical terminology.

Compendium of Polymer Terminolgy and Nomenclature (so-called Purple Book)

The second edition of the IUPAC Compendium of Polymer Terminology and Nomenclature 2008 continues the significant contribution to clear and precise communication in polymer science made by its predecessor.

Biochemical Nomenclature (so-called White Book)

The Biochemical Nomenclature and Related Documents 1992 presents IUPAC-IUBMB (International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology) Joint Commissions' recommendations.