About IUPAC

The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) serves to advance the worldwide aspects of the chemical sciences and to contribute to the application of chemistry in the service of mankind. As a scientific, international, non-governmental and objective body, IUPAC can address many global issues involving the chemical sciences.

IUPAC was formed in 1919 by chemists from industry and academia. For ten decades, the Union has succeeded in fostering worldwide communications in the chemical sciences and in uniting academic, industrial and public sector chemistry in a common language. IUPAC has long been recognized as the world authority on chemical nomenclature, terminology, standardized methods for measurement, atomic weights and many other critically evaluated data. The Union continues to sponsor major international meetings that range from specialized scientific symposia to CHEMRAWN meetings with societal impact. During the Cold War, IUPAC became an important instrument for maintaining technical dialogue among scientists throughout the world.

IUPAC is an association of bodies, National Adhering Organizations, which represent the chemists of different member countries. There are 54 National Adhering Organizations, and two other countries are also linked to IUPAC in the status of Associate National Adhering Organizations. More than 2.000 chemists throughout the world are engaged on a voluntary basis in the scientific work of IUPAC, primarily through projects, which are components of eight Divisions and several other Committees.

Divisions
I. Physical and Biophysical Chemistry
II. Inorganic Chemistry
III. Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry
IV. Polymer
V. Analytical Chemistry
VI. Chemistry and the Environment
VII. Chemistry and Human Health
VIII. Chemical Nomenclature and Structure Representation