IUPAC

The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) is an international non-governmental organization that promotes the advancement of chemistry by establishing standardized nomenclature, terminology, and data used by chemists worldwide. It originated in 1919 as Union Internationale de Chimie Pure et Appliquée, created to unify chemical language and standards across national societies after World War I.

IUPAC's best-known role is the development of internationally accepted rules for naming chemical compounds. It maintains nomenclature guidelines across organic and inorganic chemistry and provides standardized terminology, symbols, and conventions for reporting chemical information. Its core publications include the Blue Book for organic nomenclature, the Red Book for inorganic nomenclature, and the Gold Book, a comprehensive glossary of chemical terms.

Beyond naming, IUPAC coordinates standards for chemical data, terminology, and representation. It has contributed to the development of standardized chemical identifiers such as InChI (the International Chemical Identifier) in collaboration with other organizations, and it issues recommendations on data presentation and terminology used in chemical literature and education.

Organizationally, IUPAC is a federation of national chemical societies and academies. It operates via a central secretariat and a system of divisions, committees, and working groups. Major governance bodies include the General Assembly and the Council, which approve projects and publications. Membership is open to national bodies that agree with IUPAC's aims.

IUPAC's work supports science communication, education, industry, and regulation by providing internationally recognized standards that improve clarity and interoperability in chemical research and commerce.