The IUPAC uses a systematic naming system for new chemical elements. The systematic system is used temporarily until a permanent name can be agreed about. In the case of elements 104 and higher, this has been a protracted and highly political process (see element naming controversy).
This is how it works:
Number | Name |
0 | nil |
1 | un |
2 | bi |
3 | tri |
4 | quad |
5 | pent |
6 | hex |
7 | sept |
8 | oct |
9 | enn |
Examples:
Element 115 1(un) + 1(un) + 5(pent) + ium = Ununpentium. (Uup) Element 123 1(un) + 2(bi) + 3(tri) + ium = Unbitrium. (Ubt) Element 208 2(bi) + 0(nil) + 8(oct) + ium = Biniloctium. (Bno)Interesting Fact:
There is one element whose chemical symbol matches its IUPAC systematic chemical symbol; That element is element eight: "Octium" (O), more commonly known as Oxygen.
See also: alkane.