#iupac100

On June 2nd, I received an email informing me that I have been selected to represent Bohrium, Bh (Element 107) in the Periodic Table of Younger Chemists for the celebration of 100th Anniversary of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC100) and the International Year of Periodic Table (IYPT2019).

I was over the moon when I saw the email but time seemed to have slowed down when I saw the statement in the email about keeping the information confidential until the official announcement from IUPAC at the 14th International Symposium on Macrocyclic and Supramolecular Chemistry was posted on the IUPAC100 website.

No kidding, the wait was dreadful and due to time difference, the announcement was live online the day after, on June 3rd.

At this point you might be wondering, what's so special about this "award"? Well, let me explain.

The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, IUPAC

"IUPAC is the world authority on chemical nomenclature and terminology, including the naming of new elements in the periodic table; on standardised methods for measurement; and on atomic weights, and many other critically-evaluated data."

Not only is IUPAC involved in nomenclature and the naming of elements, it is also a neutral and objective scientific organisation established to unite a fragmented, global chemistry community for the advancement of the chemical sciences via collaboration and the free exchange of scientific information.

Because of this, chemistry students would generally know IUPAC from the nomenclature sections in textbooks.

International Year of Periodic Table, IYPT 2019

The United Nations has designed 2019 as the international year of the periodic table of chemical elements as it coincided with the 150th anniversary of the table's creation by Dmitry Mendeleev.

IUPAC's Periodic Table of Younger Chemists

As part of the celebrations as mentioned before, IUPAC and the International Younger Chemists Network (IYCN) announced the creation of #PTChemists which showcased a diverse group of 118 outstanding younger chemists from around the world who embodied the mission and core values of IUPAC.

About 8-10 elements were revealed each month (in order of scientific discovery) beginning in July 2018, with the final 6 elements being revealed at the IUPAC World Chemistry Congress in Paris, France on the 8th of July.

"The resulting periodic table was made to highlight the diversity of careers, creativity, and dedication of the young chemists leading us into the next century."

Therefore, with all that said, it was such an honour to be able to be a part of this historical table as Bohrium. Not only that, I was one of the three Malaysians representing Malaysia!

Spot the Malaysian Flag!

IUPAC2019 - #PTChemists Final Announcement Ceremony

On July 8th, the final 6 elements were revealed on stage together with a video recap of the other 112 elements. The ceremony was so grand that it was pity I didn't get to attend it in person.

The final six will be reveiled shortly. Hereby the 112 persons that are now in the Periodic Table of Younger Chemists.@IUPAC2019Paris @IUPAC #PeriodicTable pic.twitter.com/MtcChzN0XT

— IYPT2019 (@iypt2019)

July 8, 2019

The Periodic Table of Younger Chemists is now complete!

And guess what?! During the council meeting in Paris (IUPAC2019), Institut Kimia Malaysia (IKM) successfully won both bids to host IUPAC2025 (in Kuala Lumpur) and MACRO2026 (in Kuching) in Malaysia!

I was very lucky and exceptionally grateful to be given the opportunity to contribute and play a part in preparing slides for both bids.

Thank you IKM for trusting in my abilities to deliver.

So the @iupac 2025 Congress goes to Malaysia.@RoySocChem @AmerChemSociety @NRC_CNRC @CIC_ChemInst pic.twitter.com/e5qYe9E6DP

— Zoltan Mester (@zoltan_m_)

July 11, 2019