Fresenius' Journal of Fresenius J Anal Chem (1994) 349 : 259

Editorial

© Springer-Verlag 1994

IUPAC and Analytical Chemistry

Most chemists are familiar with the abbreviation IUPAC which stands for International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, but I am not certain whether all of them know what IUPAC is doing and what are its basic terms of reference. Some chemists probably guess that it is a bureaucratic organization which spends money, some of which is collected from their National Organizations, for self-development and a lot of efforts and time are lost for work being neither useful nor interesting. To speak objectively about IUPAC's importance is obviously impossible for an IUPAC officer, but some facts may give an impression about its role for the chemical community. Of course I will mention only those aspects which are most interesting for analytical chemists, i.e., the Analytical Chemistry Division. For analytical chemists this is certainly the most important chemical discipline. It is closely connected with many other fields of human activity. Looking at the definition proposed by the Working Party on Analytical Chemistry of the Federation of European Chemical Societies: "Analytical Chemistry is a scientific discipline, which develops and applies methods, instruments and strategies to obtain information on the composition and nature of matter in space and time" we really understand the multiple interdisciplinary connections, and the fact that contemporary analysts create a scientific basis for chemical measurements as the foundation of many decisions in science, industry, trade, economy, medicine, environment etc. This explains the situation (which not all chemists accept) that the Analytical Chemistry Division is larger than the Physical, Organic, Inorganic, Macromolecular, Applied or Clinical Chemistry Divisions. It consists at present of nine Commissions dealing with various aspects of Analytical Chemistry, working on different projects. What character have these projects ? Obviously, it is not the aim of IUPAC to promote purely research projects. The priority is given to projects which are important for the community as a whole. These are projects on scientific terminology, recommendations for publication of research papers, classification of new techniques and new analytical methodologies. Are these topics really important and should so much attention be paid to them ? Their importance I can assess on the basis of my experience as an academic teacher. I often see how much confusion is caused for students by improper and incoherent terminology and wrong definitions. Similarly, as a journal editor, I often have to complain that scientific manuscripts are difficult to understand because of illogical terms

and expressions. Therefore more and more journals quote the IUPAC recommendations in their Instructions for Authors. In this respect a very valuable reference source is the book "Compendium on Analytical Nomenclature" - colloquially termed the "Orange Book" because of the colour of its cover, contrary to e.g., the "Green Book" which gives the most important quantities, units and symbols in Physical Chemistry. This "Orange Book" was published in 1987 as a 2nd edition and now an updated version is being prepared. This compendium should really find its proper place on the desk of every analyst and every journal editor. IUPAC and its Analytical Chemistry Division closely cooperate with many other international organizations. Thus ISO is its partner in a very hot subject - quality assurance, harmonization of internal quality control schemes, and interlaboratory studies. This subject is in turn more important for industrial and commercial companies. There is no need to explain its role in our times, when international integration and the opening' of borders and barriers for trade and cooperation are so important. Another activity of the Analytical Chemistry Division should also be mentioned. In the chemical literature a great number of data on the characterization of chemical systems are constantly published. Not all of them, or rather only few of them, are sufficiently critical and often chemists are confused by their discrepancy. Here the role of IUPAC's top specialists cannot be underestimated. Critical evaluation of dissociation and stability constants as well as solubility data is of great value for both academic and industrial people. The critical solubility data were published in a series of volumes; their number in total is more than 50. The stability constants have recently been compiled in the form of a Database, which will be systematically extended. Such results are of importance not only for analytical chemists but also for chemists working in all branches of chemistry. In this short editorial it is neither possible nor necessary to mention all the activities of the Analytical Chemistry Division of IUPAC. However I am sure that even this short information will bring the work of IUPAC closer to those who until now had no chance to contribute within IUPAC to its main objective, which is to advance pure and applied chemistry in all its aspects. Adam Hulanicki President of Analytical Chemistry Division of IUPAC