Volume 71, Issue 8

Version 5.00 of the JCAMP-DX specifications were published for NMR and Mass Spectrometry file formats in Appl. Spectrosc. 47 , 1093-1099, (1993) and Appl. Spectrosc. 48 , 1545-1552, (1994). Since publication of these protocols developments in spectroscopy have led to a large number of requests for additions for applications not originally covered. Following careful consideration, it has become apparent that a few minor modifications will significantly increase the range of possible applications. In addition, new data labels have been introduced to ensure that files are year 2000 compliant and allow for conformity with good laboratory practices (GLP). These modifications are detailed in this publication as well as examples of the official NTUPLE JCAMP-DX definition as applied to NMR data.

Organometallic compounds are defined as containing at least one metal-carbon bond between an organic molecule, ion, or radical and a metal. Organometallic nomenclature therefore usually combines the nomenclature of organic chemisty and that of coordination chemistry. Provisional rules outlining nomenclature for such compounds are found both in Nomenclature of Organic Chemistry , 1979 and in Nomenclature of Inorganic Chemistry , 1990 This document describes the nomenclature for organometallic compounds of the transition elements, that is compounds with metal-carbon single bonds, metal-carbon multiple bonds as well as complexes with unsaturated molecules (metal-p-complexes). Organometallic compounds are considered to be produced by addition reactions and so they are named on an addition principle. The name therefore is built around the central metal atom name. Organic ligand names are derived according to the rules of organic chemistry with appropriate endings to indicate the different bonding modes. To designate the points of attachment of ligands in more complicated structures, the h, k, and m-notations are used. The final section deals with the abbreviated nomenclature for metallocenes and their derivatives.

The rapid development of the Internet as a major communication tool between scientists has led to the need for a co-ordinated IUPAC presence. Many diverse groups have already initiated distribution of IUPAC related material via their Web sites. These guidelines will provide the structure on which the official IUPAC Internet site maintained through the Secretariat will be based. Rules governing the interaction between this central site and various sites operated by other IUPAC bodies are published here as well as guidelines for the operation of sites maintained by other bodies which contain IUPAC related information. The need for special care when making provisional recommendations widely available on the Internet will be emphasized.

The biennial review of atomic weight determinations, A r (E), and other cognate data has warranted no changes for the standard atomic weights of the elements from that previously published in the Table of Atomic Weights 1995 with the exception of a new footnote for lithium. The names for the transfermium elements with atomic numbers 101 to 109 have been officially adopted, and element 112 has been synthesized. Many elements in non-terrestrial matter have isotopic compositions different from those in similar terrestrial substances that may affect their atomic weight. Some recent isotopic data on xenon and oxygen in non-terrestrial materials are included in this report together with a discussion of the possible processes causing these changes.

Erratum : Unfortunately, the author's corrections arrived at the publisher's office too late to be incorporated into the final printed version of the paper. They are listed in the pdf document accessible below.